I graduated last December with an Anthropology degree with a concentration in archaeology. I'm very interested in Mesoamerica and thought this was the best course of study for me.
However, as I progressed further in my studies... I found I'm most interested in studying the early colonial period and historical documents -- especially the codices and maps of the early colonial period. I also did an independent study on Classical Nahuatl with a professor in the foreign languages department.
I think history departments would offer me better routes to study what I'm interested in... But, I'm worried that I will not be able to get into good history grad schools because of my lack of undergraduate experience in history. How big of a problem will this be? Would I be better off trying to study ethnohistory in an anthropology department?
Thanks!
Well, given what you have described I have a good idea who you have studied with, ethnohistory is a small field. I would say that lack of a history MA is not a problem. I had a Anthro BA (with a Art History double major) and was admitted to two excellent history programs to work with ethnohistorians. In fact down the line it has been helpful to have a different BA. I was hired as a visiting assistant professor and got my tenure track job in no small part because having that disciplinary variety insured that I could participate in Latin American Studies programs in addition to History. So in short don't be self-conscious. You might not have the same background as other first year grad students but in the long run your background can be very helpful!