Texas A&M Accepting Applications for Masters' Program in Performance Studies

The Department of Performance Studies at Texas A&M University is accepting applications for the Master of Arts degree in Performance Studies. Performance Studies scholars examine relationships between performance and culture. Our program emphasizes the ethnographic study of vernacular culture and the integration of practice and research. The department has research strengths in Africana studies, dance and ritual studies, ethnomusicology, folklore, performance ethnography, popular music studies, religious studies, theatre history, media studies, and women’s studies.

As a terminal M.A. program, we focus on preparing students for professional careers in research, performance creation, and public outreach; for teaching at the community-college level; and for admission to top-tier, research-intensive Ph.D. programs. Many of our students conduct ethnographic fieldwork and include performance as components of their M.A. theses. As they’re writing and researching, they’re also delivering papers at national and regional conferences, publishing book reviews, and winning university- and college-wide fellowships for their research and professional development.

The Department of Performance Studies hosts a series of exciting guest artists (including James Luna, the Grammy-award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and Tim Miller) and the Rothrock Agenda for Music and Performance Studies lecture series (featuring scholars such as Diana Taylor, Peter Manuel, and John McKenzie). Our graduate students work closely with these scholars and artists as part of their coursework and through special residency activities.

Information on the application process, courses, and the degree plan can be found at http://performancestudies.tamu.edu/performance-studies. Please contact Dr. Kirsten Pullen, Director of Graduate Studies (kpullen@tamu.edu) with any questions.

For full funding consideration for Fall 2013, students should apply by January 15, 2013. Applications will be reviewed until February 15, 2013 or until all assistantships are filled.