<p>I have a question(actually 3 related questions) for anyone familiar with top anthropology programs and maybe sociology programs as well. Every program I look at stresses language preparation, but it is hard to ascertain exactly to what extent this will make or break an application. Perhaps those in the know can help me out, although I don't read a lot of anthro-talk on this board.
I am hoping to apply to cultural anthropology depts with programs or significant research focus in visual anthropology. I have been living in China for over a year now, and it will be at least 2 by the time I would matriculate. My Chinese is decent for the time I have put into it, but I didn't study undergrad and it will be a few more years of serious study before I am workably fluent. (Embarrassingly I don't speak any other foreign languages. Not even Spanish.) I know China is a huge boom subject and I will be competing with a lot of near-fluent American-born Chinese and even a handful of native-speaking foreign students. Will my language preparation be enough to get consideration from top departments? Is it acceptable to come in with a grounding in a language and then work towards fluency during the course of a PhD program?</p>
<p>On another aside, my interests are more topical then area related. Namely I am interested in Media influence and representation as a subject, with a focus on Asia, but I would not want to spend my entire career focussed on China specifically. i have a major interest in Southeast Asia as well, but no language preparation there. Would I be doing myself a disservice to admit that I hope to focus outside of one linguistic area? Most top Anthro programs I have looked at--Harvard, Penn, Michigan, Berkley--seem to focus on area specialization, but are there any that are more theoretically or topically focussed? </p>
<p>As for my interests, who is strong in visual anthropology? Harvard seems to be the best program right now, while USC seems to be the longest-established. I have heard Berkley and maybe Temple and Texas as well? In adittion, since my interests are comparitive, Sociology might be an option. Are language requirements as strict for sociology programs? I know very little about the field (in a concrete sense). Are there any programs out there known for visual sociology? I know that is a lot to throw out there, but if anyone has any answers to any of my querries, I greatly appreciate all your help.
thanks!</p>
<p>First, after reading this post, I wondered if you'd considered Communications as a potential field. It is a still-expanding field, and hiring patterns seem to be pretty darn promising. Most importantly, your interests seem to be right in line with those of Communications/Media studies folks.</p>
<p>Second, as to languages. In anthro, your Chinese background would be sufficient to begin. You'd have to improve your Chinese while in a PhD program, and if in your SOP, you mention interest in SE Asia (which I think you should), you would be expected to pick up a relevant language while in the program as well. I would also suggest one summer course before applying. This course should be in French for Reading or German for Reading. Without one of these research languages, you will be at a major disadvantage. Anthro applicants are expected to have facility with languages as well as analysis, and to come in at the PhD level with at least 2 (one research, one area) languages.</p>
<p>Sociology is often more quantitative than qualitative, so languages are less important, but the French for Reading or German for Reading will boost one's application.</p>
<p>I have no clue about visual anthro or soc programs. Sorry.</p>
<p>Thanks professor x,
that is really helpful. I had thought a bit about media studies, but always assumed it was kind of a "light" field in terms of academia. I don't mean to sound pretentious, I really don't know much about the field. I just feel like you don't see many media studies departments at elite universities where (like all aspiring academics) I would dream of teaching one day. that being said, what are the good departments for media studies? Where should I look?
In addition to studying media theory i am still interested in ethnography and especially visual ethnography, which is why I lean towards anthropology.</p>
<p>anyone know more about soc programs that emphasize visual research?</p>
<p>I asked a colleague in Mass Comm/Media Studies to rattle off some programs.
She referred me to Natcom, and pointed to these programs in Mass Comm:
MIT
Columbia
Stanford
Syracuse
UMass Amherst
Indiana U
U Mich
UT Austin
Michigan State
Arizona State
Ohio State
Northwestern
U Penn
Penn State
U Conn
Pitt
UCSD
UCSB</p>
<p><a href="http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=351%5B/url%5D">http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=351</a></p>
<p>Just to be clear, I am not attempting to steer you away from Visual Anthro, which is a fascinating and demanding field. And just as a note, many elite LACs consider Mass Comm a subfield of English or Rhetoric, or Area Studies (American Studies, Asian Studies, Eastern European Studies, etc.) and sometimes of Film Studies, and hire Mass Comm folks in those capacities, depending, of course, on their areas of specialization.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, and I hope someone else is able to guide you more effectively in regard to your original Visual Anthro question.</p>
<p>you know the more i think about, communications might not be a bad field. I work in journalism right now (low level stuff, as a reasearcher at a magazine that covers asian media, and as a freelance writer/photographer) and would probably just stick with journalism if i don't go into academia/don't get into any grad progams. Any idea what kind of stats programs are looking for? I know, I know, all about the "match." But that being said, these programs seem a lot broader than most anthro programs. Any idea which of these programs are known for visual studies or asian media?</p>
<p>Also, you guys are probably sick of these questions, but any idea what kind of candidate stats they are looking for? or anthro programs for that matter? I had a bit over a 3.5 from a good liberal arts college, and decent journalism experience, though not much research to my name. gre v 740 m 700 ana 6</p>