Username: mjethen     Send personal mail

Subject area: Arts, Humanities, Linguistics

Department: Performing Arts

Pursuing degree: Doctoral

Stage of research: Applications & Acceptance

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• Questions: (2)

  Henri Lefebvre--is there anyone reading Lefebvre's work that would like to trade notes or otherwise exchange ideas? He is becoming important in my diss, but no one in my department is reading Lefebvre. I'm especially interested in (1) everyday life, and (2) the production of space.

  My dissertation needs a map, one simple graphic. Is there software that allows map annotation? I just want to put dots on a simple, outline map of the U.S. and add some words to it.

• Answers: (9)

  PhD program dilemma! I've been accepted into two PhD programs- one at a public Research 1 university, and one at a private university. The offer at the public school is almost totally paid for...and the one at the private school comes with a price tag of $100,000+. How do I decide?

  First, congratulations on being accepted to (at least) two programs! It's nice to have options.

  Second, ensure that your understanding of "almost totally paid for" is crystal clear. Paid for in full, or just for the first year or two? Get the offer in writing if you can.

  Third, choose based on where you want to live. Unless your two options are in the same city, there's much to consider--rural/urban, cost of living, culture, etc. What's going to work for you?

  Fourth, look into scholarships and awards that could subsidize your private school costs. There's much to be said for a private school PhD, especially if it's an ivy, so apply for ALL the grants you can.

  Finally, choose based on who you'd like to work among. Your prospective supervisor is key here, so try to learn all you can about the person. Your peer group is also vital, so visit (if you haven't already) and get a sense of who the current students are and how well you're likely to get along with them.

  Look, I don't think you can make a bad choice here. (If I had your options way back when, I'd almost surely have picked the public R1, just sayin'.) And you don't have to totally write off the school you don't choose--you can still network with them, and they're likely to stay interested since they wanted you in the first place. Live happily where you end up and you'll be happy either way.

  I just started a PhD program in history this semester. I am finding it very difficult to complete the reading for every class on time. I try to skim the second half, but it's hard to write the required summary afterwards. Is this normal, or am I just really slow?

  Normal.

  I agree with cwg that the intro and conclusion are the sections to linger over.

  You're undoubtedly encountering new vocab and style, and it's easy to feel like you have to keep it all in your head. Fact is, that required summary you've been asked to write is probably the most important skill you can develop as a reader. Try to imagine what the author's outline looked like. Or, imagine that it's two years from now, you're a third-year student, and a first-year student in your department says, "We've just been asked to read [book x]. What do you know about it?" You'll want to be able to describe the book in about a paragraph: "The author believes . . . [main claim of that book], and substantiates that with . . . [types of evidence or theories]." Write that paragraph today.

  Remember that you're a student--they don't expect you to have all the answers, but they want to hear what you think about these important texts, and you can only do that if you get the gist.

  I'm applying for a masters in English. For a statement of interest, one school is asking me to "outline one or two theoretical or conceptual approaches you have employed in undergraduate projects". The problem is, I don't know what that means. Do they want me to state which type of criticism I applied...or what.

  Your audience wants to read more than a mere statement of the types of criticism you've employed. They might be looking for "I applied [x and y theory], and this is what I learned . . . this is where I think these ideas could go . . . but I'm really most interested in [theory z], because that allows us to . . .

  [Something like that.]

  Think of how your paper fits into a broader discussion--it's cool that you applied [x and y theory], but how it relevant to your audience? [The answer is probably easier than you think.] They want to see that you can say something about the wide field of English literature studies.

  How do you manage your time better? I am a major procrastinator and it's often because I'm busy thinking about how what I have done isn't good enough, how my adviser probably thinks I'm stupid, or how my adviser will know I've been procrastinating and will think I'm lazy. Other times I just get sidetracked by the million other things that are more interesting to do and then hours of my day are gone.

  This may require re-thinking what "schedule" or "routine" means to you.

  It's common to resist schedules, but if you build fun stuff into your schedule it doesn't all seem like a chore.

  Does anyone have recommendations for an online dissertation project management software program? I need something to help me collaborate and do document management and calendaring with my adviser and committee at a distance.

  Google Calendar should work.

  I realize this may have been asked before, but...I am about to start an MA program in History in two days and I am curious to hear any advice, tips, suggestions that people might have for my new chapter in life. Thanks!!

  It's a long, arduous chapter. But, like the best literature, it's rewarding to complete.

  #1 - Learn to write well. Nothing is as important. Read books like Style (Joseph Williams), and study the best writers in your field. (Ask your advisor.)

  Then, in no particular order:

  - You'll be assigned enormous amounts of reading for your seminars--do your best to absorb main ideas without getting mired in details.

  - Speak up in class; keep your comments consice and to the point.

  - Apply for grants often. Each time is another learning experience.

  - Attend professional conferences with an open mind. You may discover you're in the wrong place.

  - Network.

  I was just accepted to a wonderful MFA theatre program at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. I have no family, no other resources, and currently live and work in a small rural area scraping by. An MFA in two years from such a great program is hardly questionable, but the cost is staggering and I am very unsettled about my future if I go through with this. Anyone out there with advice? Am I nuts for considering it? Am I nuts for questioning it?

  Follow your dream, don't let the cost freak you out. Read up on what the Obama administration is doing for student loans and consider taking one. When you get to Sarah Lawrence, you'll encounter plenty of others trying to economize like you.

  Good luck!

  (Also, try this: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/patsy_rodenburg_why_i_do_theater.html)

  Hi - I'm about to submit my first article for publication to a journal. Does anyone know the proper etiquette for email submissions? Is a formal letter required or should the email be brief? Should I also include a CV? Thanks!

  Hi Abbie,

  In the journals I read (music history) there are instructions for authors in each issue describing the particulars of submission. Check the latest issue of the journal you've got in mind and stick to those guidelines; if they want more info they'll ask.

  - MjE

  Does Nursing come under humanities??/ Health Care

  I'd say Life Sciences