<p>I graduated from Rutgers with a double major in History and Medieval Studies, with a senior thesis in history as well as a Certificate in Irish Studies from a year abroad. Now I'm at UConn earning an MA in Medieval Studies with a Literature major and Art History minor. Next fall starts the admission process all over again and I'm confident that I'm in a much better situation to get accepted to a PhD. I enjoy medieval history and literature from all over Europe, but my favorite field is Old Norse and I would like to write a dissertation concerning, say, pre-Christian religion or Norse diaspora studies. Obviously it's a pretty short list of schools that have faculty who specialize in Old Norse, and the list is shortened by the fact that I want to stay in the Northeast. I'm already well aware that a history or English PhD carries more weight than a Medieval Studies degree, but I just wanted your opinion on whether to only apply to schools with at least one Old Norse professor, or to give up my favorite field in favor of something more conventional (like Old English poetry, or Chaucer).</p>
<p>I would say apply to schools that offer Norse and also those that do not so that you have more options in the end.</p>
<p>I would just apply everywhere with an Old Norse professor. If you want to go into academia, you have to be willing to move wherever the job is. The market is very, very bad, as well as the admissions process. It’s gotten worse and it will continue to get worse as long the economy is where it’s at.</p>
<p>I work in two sub-fields. Professors at graduate level in sub-field A tend to be rarer than Profs in Sub-field B. In my MA program, we have a lot of profs in Sub-field B and just one in Sub-field A. Unfortunately Sub-field A prof was on sabbatical for a good part of my MA so he couldn’t really supervise my MA thesis which has a mix of both sub-fields. So I worked on my thesis with Sub-field B profs. Things were going well until the last final drafts in which they pushed for me to make it more relevant for a journal in sub-field B. I immediately realized that this wasn’t what I really want to do with my MA thesis or research, or even be known in. Now I am waiting on two PhD programs that will have a prof in Sub-field A who I can work with directly and I can’t be more happier with the way things are turning out so far.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you don’t feel right doing Old English, then don’t do it. You will get much better supervision and guidance with an Old Norse professor who knows what’s out there in that sub-field. Old English profs will have some ideas but can’t give you much guidance as an Old Norse one. That’s why I can’t wait to work with these profs in Sub-field A.</p>
<p>Before you make any decisions whatsoever, you need to research the job market quite thoroughly. That is, unless you are just pursuing the PhD for your own edification, and do not care whether you are employable thereafter.</p>
<p>i would also add that a PhD in medieval studies will not make you employable. most professors hired in medieval studies departments are themselves specialists in literature or history or language or religion. an interdisciplinary approach to your work can be very cutting edge and exciting to universities looking to hire new professors, but an interdisciplinary degree is not a good idea if you want to work in academia once you have your degree. you’ll need to specialize.</p>
<p>i think tickle’s right. apply ANYWHERE that has an old norse professor. having a well-known, well-respected advisor in your area of study, willing and able to advise you on your topic, is the most important consideration as you look for schools to apply to. moving far away from friends, family, and the environment that you love can suck. a lot. but it’s not permanent. and you don’t need to spend all X number of years of your PhD in residency at your school. you only need to be there if you’re doing coursework or teaching. otherwise, you can go back to the northeast to research and write your dissertation. so really… don’t put location so high up on your list. it’s not forever. “forever” is the school that gives you a tenure-track job, and you’ll have a better chance at getting one of those if you do your degree in the best possible place for your research.</p>
<p>good luck.</p>