Month: February 2014

Back in 2011, I identified some of the reasons why I was considering starting a PhD:

My hope is that I would be able to do my research on something of practical importance, and that I could do useful work of my own at the same time as the doctoral program was progressing. It would certainly be pleasant to get back into a university environment.

So far, I haven’t done much research within the PhD program, aside from the limited sort that is necessary for assignments. I have devoted a pretty good amount of time to outside projects of my own – particularly Toronto350.org and photography. In fact, the enormous amount of difficulty I have been having with my first comprehensive exam is probably reflective of the degree to which I can muster a lot more enthusiasm for that sort of work than I can for undertaking a comprehensive review of the political science literature, including in areas of little interest to me and to my intended research topic.

After two years in a PhD program, it seems fair to say that if your only obligations are coursework and teaching, it is possible to devote a fair amount of time to outside projects of our own. Once comprehensive exams come up, however, that becomes far less possible. Furthermore, if you have any intention of getting an academic job, you probably need to be devoting nearly all your time to PhD work, including cultivating relationships within your department, getting papers published, attending conferences, and all the related work of building the scaffolding for an academic career.

After nearly a year of constant exam stress, my stamina to continue jumping the hurdles that constitute the PhD program feels almost completely exhausted. And yet, next week will be critical for determining whether or not I will be able to continue with the program.

The one source of motivation that keeps me from entirely collapsing is my sense of what a wonderful community Massey College is. Leaving the program would necessarily involve leaving Massey one year earlier than would otherwise be possible.

At the same time, I recognize that I have had a tremendous amount of difficulty with the easier of my two comprehensive examinations. Even if I get through next week, I will have a significantly more daunting barrier to overcome in a few months.

1. Complete all PhD comprehensive exam requirements (Canadian Politics and Public Policy)
2. Finish teaching my three tutorials on U.S. Government and Politics
3. Complete this term’s PhD coursework (Policy Analysis and Qualitative Methods)
4. Write the March 6th fossil fuel divestment lecture for Toronto350.org
5. Fulfill the mandate of Toronto350.org’s committee on administrative engagement at U of T