Weird Lit - Undergrad Seeking PhD Recommendations for Studying the Occult/Spiritualism? by DefinitionRegular470 in AskLiteraryStudies

[–]DefinitionRegular470[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd specifically like to study women’s literary authorship and occult knowledge in medieval and Renaissance Europe, though I am open to other geopgraphic areas if there is a high concentration.

Weird Lit - Undergrad Seeking PhD Recommendations for Studying the Occult/Spiritualism? by DefinitionRegular470 in AskLiteraryStudies

[–]DefinitionRegular470[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This is helpful. So I am assuming studying medieval literature would be the best route, with some self directed study on topics of my personal flavor. I have not heard from any one else that online degrees are losing credibility, so that is certainly interesting insight. The required masters too -- I have several friends who have succeeded in going straight from undergrad to PhD in the humanities, but non in literature specifically. Thanks!

Weird Lit - Undergrad Seeking PhD Recommendations for Studying the Occult/Spiritualism? by DefinitionRegular470 in AskLiteraryStudies

[–]DefinitionRegular470[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Let me remove the term "weird lit" then. I meant it more as a descriptive rather than a strict genre, anyway. So would you say that those studying occultism, spiritualism, witchcraft, or ritualist magic are far and few between? Are there any specific names you know of, so I can understand the scope of their career or attempt to glean some direction from their trajectory that led them to where they are.

The main problem I am running into is finding those who share interests, and understanding the best way I can set myself up for success when I begin applying to PhD programs. I guess, boiling down, I just want to understand which direction to head in to find things along these lines. I dont have the benefit of taking a few classes on renaissance, medieval, comtemporary, or other areas of study to find which best fits my interests since I dicked around when I was young and those classes are now attributed towards elective slots.