scintillatestar
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« on: January 09, 2012, 10:03:54 PM » |
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I am hoping to enter a PhD program in an English-related field within two years. I'm finishing my masters this May; my degree is in TESOL/Applied Linguistics. I also am on NYU's faculty (adjunct), teaching in an IEP/bridge program. It's a really good job for a non-PhD holder, but I'd rather have full-time/TT/research options available.
After doing research, it seems like Comp/Rhet is a good fit. My background is based in English language (not literature). I think the degree would be useful in an IEP setting and would also give me the flexibility to work with native English speakers. I also really like the English language, especially its history and grammar.
Any recommendations on good programs? There is not too much information, and many English departments have started adding Rhet/Comp as a specialization.
Thanks!
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citrine
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Beware the Annoying Bad Luck Snail
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« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2012, 10:19:07 PM » |
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What research specialty or specialties could you see yourself pursuing? Different rhet comp programs have different strengths in terms of the concentrations they offer, such as TESOL/ESL, professional/tech writing, digital rhetorics/new media, Writing Program Administration/Writing Accross the Curriculum, classical rhetoric/history of rhetoric, etc. If you can talk a little bit more about your interests I can probably point you to specific programs known for strengths in those areas.
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scintillatestar
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« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2012, 11:21:35 PM » |
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I'm mostly interested in writing across the curriculum and modes of writing that are specific to certain content areas and academic disciplines. I'm also really interested in the history of English and how that has influenced its structure (grammar, word order, spelling, etc.). One other related interest is "transfer to nowhere," where students learning a second language express themselves through the perspective of their native language and produce writing that is (mostly) grammatically correct but appears non-native. I think the M.A. in App Ling/TESOL is as far as I'd like to go with ESL specifically. I am sure that many comp classes have many ELLs nowadays.
Thanks!
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citrine
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Posts: 243
Beware the Annoying Bad Luck Snail
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« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2012, 11:54:37 AM » |
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zuzu_ has a point, although you could also look for programs that have English ed programs in the same department as a rhet/comp program and allow you to do crossover work (Purdue has one, for example; they also have a good cohort of ELL researchers and I think the Journal of Second Language writing still comes out of there). Carnegie Mellon might be a good place for you to look, and Penn State is certainly a highly considered program although I don't know if their specialties overlap with yours quite as much. You might also find the Rhetoric Review's 2007 survey of doctoral programs useful. |
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msparticularity
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« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2012, 11:24:20 PM » |
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Just a note of caution on the English Ed option: without secondary teaching experience (three to five years of full-time contracted teaching), it can be very difficult to find a TT position in English Ed. There are certainly a few positions that are housed in English departments that do not require secondary experience, but positions housed in Colleges of Ed will almost universally require secondary experience as well these days, thanks to multitudinous accreditation requirements. This tendency has also been leaking over into the English Department positions in recent years--again thanks to accreditation procedures and requirements.
There is certainly a demand for people to teach English Ed courses on an adjunct basis--and sometimes for continuing positions--due to the lack of qualified people in English departments, but full-time TT positions are increasingly rare.
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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books4jocks
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« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2012, 10:07:11 PM » |
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What do you want to teach? Who do you want to teach? What do you want to research? Why is an English PhD necessary for those things? Do you want to teach first year writing, or administrate it? Do you want to work in linguistics, or the history of the English language? In that case, I'd avoid comp/rhet. Comp/rhet people don't do a ton with comparative grammar -- maybe you should stick to linguistics if that's your interest. Comp/rhet is much more into sociocultural theory/pedagogy, etc.
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snowbound
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« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2012, 12:16:12 PM » |
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CompRhet PhDs have FAR better job prospects than other English PhDs. I would check this out before turning to English Ed, given the obstacles that others have pointed out.
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scintillatestar
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« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2012, 05:21:53 PM » |
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Thanks for all the advice. I could not get a job in English Ed as of now. I am getting certified for K-12, but it's in ELL. The most straightforward PhD program for me would be in TESOL. A PhD in TESOL is not necessary to teach in IEP programs, but it is a huge advantage for textbook and curriculum development. Also, with the Phd and the state cert, one could teach "ESL Ed" at universities, as well as graduate courses in Applied Linguistics.
However, I'd like to have the flexibility to work with native English speakers as well. Also, a lot of universities are advertising for people with a background in writing to work with ELLs. Carnegie Mellon is looking for an assistant teaching professor with a Phd in Rhet/Comp or Second Language Studies.
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scintillatestar
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Posts: 7
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« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2012, 05:27:30 PM » |
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I've scanned the 2007 survey - thanks! It seems that some programs have had dissertations that focus on "writing across the curriculum." This would be my top research interest as of now; looking into those programs might be the best start...
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msparticularity
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« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2012, 02:18:19 AM » |
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Remember, too, that many doctoral programs allow (or expect) you to do an outside field in a related program. I'm in education, and I did mine in comp/rhet. The combination of skills has been phenomenally useful, has made me quite competitive on the market, and I really enjoy teaching the writing-intensive courses. You might find a combination of TESOL and comp/rhet to be quite helpful also.
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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scintillatestar
New member
Posts: 7
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« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2012, 11:00:19 AM » |
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Thanks! May I ask what program you went to? Most IEP programs serve students whose English is already least intermediate, if not higher. So having expertise in teaching writing and communication is highly desirable. These are the "productive" skills that most advanced students need to develop for fluency. Having said that, many freshman comp classes might have a mix of students whose first and second languages are English. So as I mentioned, I'd like to have the versatility to teach native speakers of English as well.
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