Doing an Anthropology Ph.D.?

Question

In considering doing a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology, should I look for program and adviser that:

Matches where I would like to do field work

-or-

Matches my topical interests?

In other words, if I want to study the effects of globalization in India, should I look for a professor who focuses primarily on globalization or one that focuses primarily on India (assuming no professor does both). This is just a hypothetical example, but I have stronger topical interests than I do in any particular geographic region, and I'm unsure as to how the role of fieldwork plays into doing an Anthro Ph.D. (My B.A. is in International Studies).

Answer 1

There are basically three forms of specializing in anthropology (can be applicable to other social sciences):

- First on a specific ethnic group. This is the most classic anthropology specialty, which even leads to specializing in a particular village. The deeper you know one person or family or village, the more specialized you become. But you are forced to generalize from a case study to the general ethnic group, which not always turns out right. Nevertheless most of the time you will find no one knows as much as you do on that specific ethnic group.

- Second there is the regional approach. You don't consider a specific village or ethnic group but a region (The Balcans, North Africa, the Caribbean) or even a country. This is very useful if you plan getting hired at a first world country, since being a specialist in India (for example) would suffice for the needs of an International Studies Faculty in the US or Europe. (Makes no sense if you actually live in  India.)

-Then there is the topic specialty. You might want to dig into religion, or globalization or even sugar (as did Sidney Mintz). Then you might start at a specific location or region, but at the end you will have to abandon all geographical limits since a topic applies to a number of ethnic, social or national situations.

So first option is for field lovers: two, six, ten years in the same area. You need an adviser that knows how to collect data and survive.

Second is for a book worm: you can try to walk the Sahara, but you won't do that six consecutive years. And if you do, you still won't know as much as your classmate that stayed at the library. If your adviser has experience in the area and is sufficiently learned, he will guide you safely through the library.

Third option is sort of balanced: you might take some time understanding local effects of globalization (field work needed) but you would also need to take a wider angle (library). An adviser that already knows the topic is essential.

Answer 2

You're going to want a professor that has an understanding and knowledge about the field of study you are looking to go into.  It does no good to find a professor who's specialty is  Appalachian cultures since you're not working with that specific population.  While we all sort of fit into one mega society, cultural anthropology isn't really interested in the big picture.  If we were interested in the big picture then we wouldn't take the time to study the differences between cultures but rather the similarities.   Either way good luck with your education and most important, have fun with it.