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ID: 142073

Context and comparison in Southeast Asia: the practical side of the area studies-discipline debate / Ostwald, Kai

Ostwald, Kai	Article
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Summary/Abstract

A recent Pacific Affairs special issue explores key dimensions of the discipline/area studies divide in the context of Southeast Asia. It asks whether it is possible to use the comparative methods favoured by disciplines while doing justice to the rich nuance of individual cases. We offer a practical perspective on this debate. We argue that the demands of discipline audiences and area-studies audiences can vary significantly, making it difficult to effectively address both within a given project. Furthermore, while individual scholars retain agency over the nature of their research, structural factors like the job market and tenure requirements nudge junior scholars towards disciplinary audiences. We support this claim with an analysis of several academic job markets across the social sciences and humanities. We also interview several junior scholars who focus on Southeast Asia to examine the channels that link structural factors with scholarly orientations, finding both direct and backchannel connections. We conclude that in the absence of structural changes to the hiring and promotion practices at major universities, the question of an ideal balance between comparative approaches and deep area nuance will be answered by practical—rather than ontological or normative—concerns.

Key Words

Political Science ; Southeast Asia ; Methodology ; Area Studies ; Academic Job Market

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ID: 110637

Navigating the academic job market in treacherous times / Miller, William J; Gentry, Bobbi

Miller, William J	Journal Article
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2011.

Summary/Abstract

Doctoral programs take great care in assuring that students are prepared to enter the job market and become effective teachers and researchers. However, once faced with the daunting task of landing their first position, students are oftentimes left on their own. Given the current state of the job market-more applicants for fewer jobs-it is essential that students understand the process and what they should expect as they work to receive their first academic position. In this article, we walk students through the hiring process from deciding which jobs to apply for to handling contract negotiations.

Key Words

Student ; Job Market ; Academic Job Market

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