Marx is a rock, as long as you're aware of the limitations of his thinking. For instance, by implication (lots of people have argued) his idea of proletariat implies a kind of binary, worker vs. bourgeoisie, thinking. Maybe worth reading him across 90s writers whose post-Marxist thought favours more fragmented, complex relations (I like bell hooks, Soja, Deutsche, Groys...)? Ultimately, his ideas have been so influential, I hardly think anyone can accuse them of being boring. Surely they're just another tool - depends how you use them.

Incidentally, if the recent conference at Birkbeck and upcoming show at the ICA is anything to go by, Marx is, as you suggest, seeing a bit of a revival. Something to do with the credit (capitalist) crisis, perhaps?

Oh my, Coop, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. It seems like you're looking for affirmation from PhD-ers (since you already have it from friends and family) that it's ok for you to quit. If it helps, then it seems a lot of people on here think that it is. For what it's worth, I do to. But in the end, of course it's your responsiblity to decide, and that's what's so difficult.

Try and keep some perspective - of course a PhD is a big deal, but it's not *that* important in the big scheme of things. You won't be a failed human being if you decide to call it a day.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Exactly same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. My MA was 2 yrs, but full-time, and I'm doing the PhD at the same institution, so am apparently only eligible for 2 years funding from AHRC. (This is despite having had no funding for MA.) I'm accepting 2 yrs on part-time basis, which enables me to work p/t to supplement income, but hope to complete on f/t basis within 3.3(?) funded years.

Anyway, I'm assuming they're checking for this reason but that actually it doesn't apply to you. From what you say, it seems likely that your MA course would have been 1 yr f/t, had you chosen that route. If so, I'm sure you'll be fine. If f/t equivalent would have been 2 years, and you're at the same uni, then you'll be in the same boat as me. The 3 yrs has probably just confused them, so they're double checking.

Congrats on the nomination btw. It'll be fine :-)

Does anyone know whether there's a date by which AHRC confirm bgp proposals? The forms been in for a good 2 weeks and I'm biting my nails here!