The fourth week of spring semester is drawing to a close, and seniors (and juniors) are thinking seriously about life after they complete their BA in political science. Several of our students have been accepted to law school; others are contemplating graduate school – if not immediately following their undergraduate studies – and are preparing for the Graduate Record Exam. Here are some upcoming events in which all of our political science students might have an interest, as they contemplate their future.
Fulbright Scholarships. The first is the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright Program offers a wide variety of scholarships and fellowships for students interested in studying abroad (including doing master’s degrees), undertaking research, or teaching English. Established by congressional legislation in 1945, the Fulbright Program offers opportunities in more than 140 countries, with the purpose of fostering “international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science.” The Fulbright awards are highly prestigious and offer not only financial support for research, study, and teaching abroad but serve to connect the Fulbright scholars with those doing similar work in their countries and around the world, building a network of educated persons committed to international collaboration.
I strongly encourage interested students to attend the Fulbright Program Information Session, being held today, February 10, from 1:00-2:00pm, in Sears Building 356. Students who are considering a potential Fulbright application in the next few years should attend this meeting, as well as those who anticipate applying in the upcoming round of competition. CWRU students are outstanding, and many of our political science majors would make excellent Fulbright candidates (and awardees).
I especially encourage those students who have ever applied for a Wellman Hill Public Service Internship to consider applying for the Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowships. These are a perfect fit for those of our students who have been interested in public service. Note that these fellowships require a master’s degree, so those among our alumni who hold an MA should consider applying; those of our students currently considering graduate school should keep the Fulbright-Clinton Fellowships in mind.
Students interested in the Fulbright should also feel free to discuss their interest with members of the political science faculty. There are four Fulbright scholars among the faculty members in our department. Professor Beckwith was the Fulbright Scotland Professor at the University of Edinburgh (2014). Professor Lavelle held the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Global Issues at the Munk Centre for International Studies at University of Toronto (2010). Professor Moore was the Senior Fulbright Fellow at Zayed University, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2008-2009); and Professor Posner won the European Union Affairs Fulbright Research Grant for work in Paris (2012). Any of us would be pleased to discuss the Fulbright application process with you.
Other Post-BA Opportunities. Previous Newsletters have listed post-BA career opportunities, including a list of those relatively well-known persons whose careers have begun with a BA in Political Science. Neither of Ohio’s Senators, however, majored in political science, and the humanities as well as the social sciences can serve as a strong starting point for a rewarding and happy career. The Baker-Nord Center’s Humanities@Work program provides opportunities for students in the Humanities, or more generally outside the STEM fields, to learn about career opportunities, including programs in which prominent people who earned undergraduate degrees in the Humanities talk about their careers.
On Monday, February 20, the Baker-Nord Center will present a speaker who should be of special interest to Political Science majors: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. Please join Ohio’s senior US Senator Sherrod Brown for a conversation about how studying the humanities prepared him for a career in public service. Information about Senator Brown’s talk can be found here.
Students who are interested should register for the program at this link.
More information about the Humanities@Work program is available here.
Wellman Hill Public Service Internships. This is the final opportunity to apply for a 2017 Wellman Hill Public Service Internship grant. Please see the details, below. The Wellman Hill Program provides funding to support a wide range of public service internships, and the experience of applying (and being interviewed) for a Wellman Hill grant is helpful for students’ applications for other ventures, including admission to law or graduate school, job interviews, and other scholarships and fellowships. I strongly encourage interested students to take the time to apply for a Wellman Hill internship. Please note that specific internships need not be secured at the point of application, but need only be identified as possibilities on the application form.
Get Active in the CWRU Political Science Club. The Department of Political Science, in support of our majors and minors, encourages interested students to develop a CWRU Political Science Club. For those interested in founding such a club, please send an email to Jaimee Miller. In the email, please identify your year at CWRU, your major(s) and minor(s), and a brief statement of the reason for your interest. Please email Jaimee by Sunday, February 19.
Cheers,
Karen
Karen Beckwith, Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University
General Announcements
- Applications for Wellman Hill Political Science Internship Grants are due Today, February 10, 2017 at 5:00p.m. Please make sure that the CWRU faculty member writing your letter of reference is aware of the deadline. As you complete your application, remember the program’s mission is to encourage Political Science majors to pursue and accept public service summer internships. Details about the program and application process are available on the department’s website. The grants are made possible by a generous gift from Elizabeth Hill (B.A., M.A. 1997) to honor her grandfather, Wellman Hill. In past years, the selection committee awarded recipients up to $4,000 each. For any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact Professor Posner at elliot.posner@case.edu.
- Forming a POSC Club: The Department of Political Science, in support of our majors and minors, encourages interested students to develop a CWRU Political Science Club. For those interested in founding such a club, please send an email to Jaimee Miller. In the email, please identify your year at CWRU, your major(s) and minor(s), and a brief statement of the reason for your interest. Please email Jaimee by Sunday, February 19.
- Nominations are being accepted for the J. Bruce Jackson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring and the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. To nominate a faculty or staff member for one of the awards, visit students.case.edu/awards/. Nominations are due Monday, March 13.
- Stay up to date with the department by following our Twitter feed! Check it for day to day opportunities and information!
- Like us on Facebook! Our department will be regularly posting events, opportunities, and general information to our page!
Events
Friday Lunch: Immigration Policy and the Trump Administration
February 10, 12:30-1:30p.m., KSL Dampeer Room
Stopping and punishing illegal immigration was the defining issue of Donald Trump’s campaign for President. David Leopold, one of the nation’s leading authorities on immigration law, will discuss what President Trump can achieve, either through his executive powers or through legislation.
Fulbright Program Information Session
February 10, 1:00-2:00p.m., Sears Building 356
Learn more about the on-campus and national selection process for Fulbright grants.
Understanding Turkey’s Authoritarian Turn
February 10, 12:00p.m., The City Club
Join this discussion on Turkey’s changes from democracy to autocracy and how this has affected other countries.
The Use of DNA Testing in Criminal Investigations
February 13, 7:00p.m., The Music Box Supper Club
Join Emily Feldenkris, Forensic Scientist of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, at this month’s Science Café Cleveland in discussion of how DNA evidence should be used to ensure that justice is served. This is a free event.
Get Experienced! Career Fair
February 13, 10a.m.-2:00p.m., Veale Convocation, Recreation, and Activity Center
Get a head start on your future at the upcoming Career Fair.
The Purpose and Functions of the Federal Reserve
February 15, 12:00-1:30p.m., Landmark Centre Auditorium
This lecture will examine the origin of the Federal Reserve System, its structure, the role it plays in our economy today and some of the challenges the Federal Reserve faces. Tickets are $25.
Lessons from the Bernie Revolution
February 16, 5:00p.m., The City Club
Nina Turner, former Ohio State Senator, Sanders’ surrogate on the campaign trail, and author of two forthcoming books, will speak about lessons learned from the “Bernie revolution.” Tickets are $30.
Activism Then and Now
February 15, 7:00p.m., Maltz Museum
Examine the current status of social justice activism, the role of the media and the notion of “slacktivism.” Tickets are $12.
Where Do We Go from Here? The Future of Global Trade
February 16, 5:30-7:30p.m.
Under the new administration, U.S. trade deals are on the chopping block. Ambassador Earl “Anthony” Wayne will explore the future of global trade and will explain what he views as unfair and inaccurate criticism of U.S. trade deals.
A Day in the Life of a Common Pleas Judge
February 17, 12:45-2:00p.m., Sears 356
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Brian Corrigan will be speaking about his most memorable cases and what it’s like to be a Judge today in these uncertain times.
Humanities@Work: Politics – A Conversation with Senator Sherrod Brown
February 20, 6:00-7:00p.m., Clark Hall 206
Please join Ohio’s senior United States Senator Sherrod Brown for a conversation about how studying the humanities prepared him for a career in public service.
U.N. World Social Justice Day
February 20, 6:30-8:30p.m., Crawford Hall A9
This discussion, featuring Professor Pete Moore, will examine the concept of “refugees,” U.S. naturalization and immigration laws, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Town Hall Meeting with Marcia Fudge
February 25, 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m., Tri-C Corporate College East
Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge invites constituents of the 11th Congressional District to a town hall meeting. Rep. Fudge will discuss to discuss legislative updates from Washington, programs and services from her offices, and her policy agenda for the 115th Congress.
Cleveland Spring 2017 Model UN Conference
March 7-8, 8:30a.m.-1:30p.m., TVUC
CWRU’s Model United Nations Team, now ranked 26th nationally, will be hosting the Cleveland Spring 2017 Model UN Conference. Students and faculty are welcome to attend and observe high school students debating various political topics, ranging from closing the global wage gap to civil unrest in Venezuela. President Barbara Snyder will be delivering a keynote address during the opening ceremonies in the Ballroom, which will run from approximately 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM on March 7. Contact Siddharth Hariharan (sph39) with any questions!
Career Opportunities
Transformation Alliance Program Coordinator
The Transformation Alliance is seeking a Program Coordinator to support their work as part of Cleveland’s Plan for Transforming Schools .
Graduate Programs
CSU College of Urban Affairs Open House
February 11, 12:00-5:00p.m., CSU
The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University is hosting an open house for all prospective graduate students. This is an opportunity for students to see our campus and meet program directors, faculty, our graduate advisor, students, and alumni.
Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
Policy Matters Ohio Internship
This internship provides a unique opportunity to develop new leaders in the areas of research, communications, development, and community outreach. Internships are offered during each semester and the summer.
WKYC Internship
WKYC offers paid internships for college students interested in Careers in Broadcasting and Digital Media. Assignments would include working side by side with experienced journalists in storytelling, videography, digital and social media.
Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship
The Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship program offers emerging young leaders
from across the country the skills and networks needed to create the community they envision and
jumpstart a career in public service.
A select group of Fellows will be embedded in public sector agencies in Cleveland working on the frontlines of civic innovation. If you are a recent college graduate considering a public service career, choose the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship and continue the reinvention of a rustbelt city on the rise. Applications are due February 22.
Previously posted opportunities can be found on the department webpage. Please make sure to check regularly as to not miss approaching deadlines!
Summer Opportunities
Public Policy Boot Camp
The Summer Policy Boot Camp offers top college students and recent graduates an opportunity to engage with Hoover Institution scholars and policy practitioners on the campus of Stanford University. The program will take place August 20-26 and is free of charge. The early application deadline is February 1, and the regular application deadline is March 1.
A Little Extra…
- Check out the Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ and Global Cleveland’s choices for this week’s top International Affairs articles: