[Dancecult-l] Academic EDMC (the voice of DOOM)

[giordano at iastate.edu]

HEY CULT MEMBERS,

I am posting the message below in order to further faciliatate a discussion on 
academic quests in EDMC.  I think both positve and negative aspects of this 
issue need to be discussed.... The words of the responder a very much the 
truth, but what can be said in opposition to this response?  How is the 
academic world changing and what can be said about new fields of study?  What 
are some of the benefits of study in EDMC?  
  Does EDMC really need academic verification?
  Does an EDMC sholar really need academic support/association??  

Here are some questions for this discussion:
  What can really I do with a degree in Anthro, Socio, Ethno? 
  Do I really want/need a degree to publish and research EDMC?
  Is independant/non-academic affiliated research and observation valid?
  How does one not get discouraged in pursuit of a new field?
  IS the academic world ready for EDMC?
  
It would be cool to here from some already distinguished scholars:
  What is your area of study?  Is it applicable?
  Is the academic world supportive or are you independantly researching EDMC?
  How many of you went on to pursue jobs in your field?
  How many of you are teachers and researchers?  Are you happy?
  How much credit do you give your degree for your success?  Was it nessesary?
  What motivates you?  What are your resources?.. applications?
  What would you do differently in academic pursuit?


HERE IS A RESPONSE SENT TO ME....................................

Ryan:
 
Not to rain on your parade, or crush your dreams, but a very, very important 
queston for you might be not *where* to study ethno but, rather *if* you 
should study ethno - or what you're hoping to get from it.
 
The very harsh reality is this: there are far more ethnomusicologists (and 
anthropologists, and musicologists) being produced every year than there are 
jobs - and statistically, you are unlikely to get a tenure track job.  
Additionally, the vast, vast majority of positions advertised are looking for 
a candidate with a specialization in a specific geographic area - usually 
Latin America/the Carribbean, Africa, India, or Indonesia - and/or, often, 
someone who can lead an ensemble.  I have never, ever seen a job opening for 
someone focusing on EDM; ususally, that is something that you might use as a 
secondary area, in addition to your geographic specialization.  While the 
situation might be better in Europe than in the US, don't count, as an 
American, on getting a job at a European university - it's extremely difficult.
 
It's not that some people don't get jobs - some do, of course, and some manage 
to publish.  But again, the reality is, for every Mark Butler (who is not an 
ethnomusicologist, of course, but who publishes on EDM) out there, there are 
scores of people with a Ph.D. in ethno (or anthro, or musicology, or 
sociology) who are either a) working for slave wages as adjuncts or, b) 
working totally outside the field, because they never managed to find a job.  
I'm not talking about slackers, I'm talking about bright, talented people.  
 
The questions then, are a) are you willing to take the risk? and b) why do you 
want the degree?  Regarding the latter, what is your ultimate goal, in terms 
of career?  There may be many, many things you can do that are fulfilling AND 
financially rewarding that do not require a Ph.D.  You should not think of the 
degree as offering career and/or financial stability - becuase very often it's 
the exact opposite.  Lots of folks wind up going from one visiting professor 
job to another (with no benefits, and not great pay) before they finally 
either get on the adjunct train again (no benefits, bad pay), move to 
administration, or just give up.
 
Again, I don't mean to be the voice of doom, but I do think it's important 
that you know some of the facts before you make such a big decision.  But 
whatever you do, good luck.
________________________________

Thanks to the above responder, your voice of doom has added another side to 
this disscussion..... ALSO thanx to all the other responders
LET'S KEEP THIS DISUSSION GOING!!  I'm excited to hear all of your thoughts.

-RYAN (MOLIMO)