Research experience in the humanities

Graduate School
1

<p>A rather random question--how acceptable is it to approach a faculty member who you haven't had for a class about doing research with them? This year, I was rather lucky, as I took a seminar with a terrific professor first semester, and he invited me to work with him second semester. But he was a visiting professor, and thanks to faculty politics, he was not hired for the tenure track position in his area. Of the three faculty members who I took courses with in my department this year, two were visiting, and one will be on leave next year. I want to continue to do research though, but the professor whose interests are closest to mine, I won't have a course with until next spring. </p>

<p>So I'm just in a bit of a bind--I had a great experience this past semester, but since the faculty member who I worked closely with is leaving, I don't know how to do research with professors if I haven't yet taken a class with them.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>I don't understand what you're asking. What exactly do you mean by "doing research"?</p>

<p>Are you referring to doing independent studies, serving as a research assistant, or something else?</p>

3

<p>Serving as a research assistant, particularly.</p>

4

<p>you can ask anyone. I e-mailed lots of teachers to set up appointments to discuss researching. I now will be doing research the next two semesters. Also, i e-mailed random teachers around the USA that were in the field I am interested in. Now, next summer i am going to florida to do research with a teacher that i e-mailed. Teachers love proactive students who want to do research. i suggest e-mailing teachers and asking what you can do to help</p>