History or Religious Studies?
BY JOHN FEA
I have been counseling several former students recently about graduate school. A few of them want to study American religious history but are unsure whether to pursue graduate work in Religion/Religious Studies or American History. I have tried to explain to them that they could write a dissertation on American religious history in either field (depending, of course, on the program and the availability of an advisor in this sub-field), but their coursework, comps, methodology, and job considerations would be quite different depending on which kind of program they choose to pursue. I have also tried to get them to envision what kind of introductory college-level course they would like to teach regularly--a U.S. History Survey course or an Intro to Religion course (or something comparable). Most of them love American Religious History and have not considered that broad training in their discipline is usually in order if they want to land a job.
I know that our readership (and our contributors) include scholars and graduate students in both History and Religious Studies who share a research interest in American Religious History. I am curious to hear if you were faced with the same dilemma that some of my students are now faced with. How did you decide to go with Religion over History or vice-versa?
I have been counseling several former students recently about graduate school. A few of them want to study American religious history but are unsure whether to pursue graduate work in Religion/Religious Studies or American History. I have tried to explain to them that they could write a dissertation on American religious history in either field (depending, of course, on the program and the availability of an advisor in this sub-field), but their coursework, comps, methodology, and job considerations would be quite different depending on which kind of program they choose to pursue. I have also tried to get them to envision what kind of introductory college-level course they would like to teach regularly--a U.S. History Survey course or an Intro to Religion course (or something comparable). Most of them love American Religious History and have not considered that broad training in their discipline is usually in order if they want to land a job.
I know that our readership (and our contributors) include scholars and graduate students in both History and Religious Studies who share a research interest in American Religious History. I am curious to hear if you were faced with the same dilemma that some of my students are now faced with. How did you decide to go with Religion over History or vice-versa?
Comments
I would agree with Darren and also echo the point about methodology, but more than anything I would underscore the importance of the advisor.
Perhaps the best advice I can give (from my own experience) is to apply broadly for grad programs, see where the student gets admitted, find out how those programs deal with American religious history (and where students traditionally get jobs), and make the decision that way. That's more of a pragmatic solution and it might not answer the bigger question about what sort of training a student should pursue, but it can take some of the anxiety and pressure out of choosing a particular track.
In any case, John, make sure to send your students to my conference this year! Your duo last year did outstanding.
I chose to enter grad school in history because of the conversations I wanted to have. I'd rather talk about industrialization and probate wills than deconstructing Buddhist texts and the ritualized body. But how would I fair in a job search for a religious studies job?