Newsletter
Opportunities and Announcements for the Week of May 14, 2018
The Work of the Department This Year. As the 2017-18 academic year comes to its close, it’s worth reflecting on the work of the Department and on what we have accomplished.
Great Teaching, Great Students. Our Faculty Annual Reports, summarizing the 2017 calendar year, show that the political science faculty are exceptional teachers, as evaluated by our students. Not all students complete student evaluation forms, and not all students who complete them are political science majors, but for all our faculty, for all our courses, our faculty are rated as between “very good” and “excellent,” and above the norm for teaching in the College of Arts and Sciences as a whole. Students who take our courses can anticipate learning a lot, producing their own good work, and enjoying the intellectual interaction of professor and students.
Professors Kelly McMann, Elliot Posner, and I have been interviewing candidates for a Visiting Assistant Professor position in our department next year. As we talk with these excellent candidates, we focus on teaching. It has been a pleasure to be able to talk with them about our students and the gratification of teaching here at CWRU. The three of us have been unanimous in our appreciation of political science students. Our students are, of course, highly intelligent (an admission requirement for all students, regardless of major). They are also collaborative, hard-working, responsible in their work, and kind to each other. Whatever pressures our students face, however competitive the academic environment may be, it always impresses me that our students manage to be courteous and cooperative with each other. As I reflect on the quality of our teaching in political science, I also credit the quality and good comportment of our students.
Searching for a Visiting Assistant Professor. Last summer three search committees concluded our work, hiring three Visiting Assistant Professors: YuJung Lee (PhD, UCLA), Girma Parris (PhD, Johns Hopkins), and Paul Schroeder (PhD, OSU). Professor Lee (Julia) will leave us later this summer to take up a tenure-track position at Colorado State University. She has been a wonderful colleague, and we will miss her. Her absence has created the need to interview replacement candidates, which the VAP search committee has been undertaking this week. We hope to identify our preferred candidate from the short list of interviewees as soon as possible.
Graduate and Undergraduate Program Reviews. The Department worked this year to develop a review of our Graduate Program, required every eight years by the State of Ohio Department of Higher Education. The document has made its way through the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies Committee, and is ready for review by a team of three external evaluators. In addition, the Department completed its review of our Undergraduate Program, required for the first time. That document, completed this month, is currently under review by the College. In October, the evaluation team of Professors Paul Herrnson (U Conn), Brett Ashley Leeds (Rice), and Robin Kolodny (Temple) will visit CWRU and our Department, to assess our programs and make recommendations. We look forward to meeting them in our newly “refreshed” offices in Mather House.
Mather House “Refresh.” At long last, the physical plant of Mather House will be improved. We will not have what I think is a necessary renovation, but we will have what the University refers to as a “refresh.” The building will be deep-cleaned; new carpeting and lighting will be installed in offices; as appropriate, walls and trim will be painted, and woodwork will be polished. The bathrooms in the building will be renovated, as will the first floor kitchen. Mather House 100 will have new blinds, paint, lighting, and upgraded technology; it may even have new furniture (!). An exciting prospect for Political Science is the arrangement to convert Mather House 100 into a “zoom room,” which will provide us with enhanced technology for seminars, workshops, Election Night Watch parties, and video-conferencing. I look forward to continuing to work with Dan Farst, CAS IT Support and Security Manager, to advance this project.
With all best wishes,
Karen
Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science
General Announcements
- As you register for fall semester courses, take a look at the Political Science courses offered by our department.
- 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!
- Faculty occasionally publicize the work of their senior capstone students. Professor Pete Moore sends the following:
Paige Yepko is a double major in Theater and Political Science and did her POSC capstone on high-risk activism. It was a case study of Rachel Corrie, a human rights activist who was killed by Israeli forces in 2003 while peacefully protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home in Gaza. Paige’s capstone paper was particularly well researched and crafted an explanation of Corrie’s activism using theories of activism and resistance. It was also the kind of inter-disciplinary and multiple majors project we so often find and celebrate among our students.
For her Theater capstone, Paige performed a part of the renowned Broadway play, My Name is Rachel Corrie. Here is the clip of her performance last week at CWRU.
ConstitutionALE: A More Perfect Gerrymander
May 14, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Great Lakes Brewing Company, 2516 Market Avenue
Join the City Club of Cleveland for the first forum in our new series on the Constitution, a conversation with local legal experts on the past, present, and future of gerrymandering in the United States. Nonmember tickets are $20.
Legal Ethics, Judicial Independence, and Political Partisanship
May 16, 8:30 am-9:30 am, The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
This lecture analyzes the mechanisms available to safeguard judicial impartiality. Although recusal motions are the most common weapon against partisan bias, this Article argues that recusal motions cannot effectively guard against the appearance of bias arising from a judge’s political views. When recusal rules rely on an undefined “appearance” standard, they are susceptible to an interpretive bias that undermines their purpose.
Women in Politics: How to get more women to run for office in Ohio
May 16, 7:00-8:00 pm, Heights Library Main Branch, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Women make up over 51% of the voting electorate and yet men still far outnumber women in elected office in Ohio and across the country. This forum will explore options increasing the number of women who run and hold elected office, particularly in Ohio.
For the Love of Cleveland: The Power of Place: The Role of Resident Activism in Placemaking
May 18, 12:00 pm-1:30 pm, The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
Join The City Club of Cleveland launch their 2018 For the Love of Cleveland series on placemaking with a keynote address from Erin Barnes, Co-Founder and Executive Director of ioby, on the power of resident activism in creating and sustaining place.
NAFTA: North American Competitiveness is Job #1
May 21, 7:30 am-9:00 am, The Union Club of Cleveland, 1211 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH
he Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, will discuss the importance of making North America the most competitive, modern and integrated marketplace, better able to compete and win on the world stage.
CCMV Views & Bres: The Rust Belt Resurgence: Who Really Benefits?
May 21, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm, Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts, 34 N. Phelps Street, Youngstown, OH
Join The City Club of Cleveland for a conversion on how communities of color in the Mahoning Valley have fared during periods of economic success and decline.
The Long Shadow of Korematsu vs. U.S.: Stop Repeating History
May 23, 12:00pm-1:30pm, The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
Join the City Club of Cleveland for a conversation on America’s complicated history of civil rights and wrongs – and the long-term implications of Korematsu v. United States. Nonmember tickets are $35.
Creating a Digital Poorhouse: Technology, Human Rights, and Economic Inequality
May 24, 12:00pm-1:30pm, The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
Virginia Eubanks, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY, discusses how technology affects civil and human rights and economic equality. Nonmember tickets are $35.
CCMV: Inside the Great Revolt with Salena Zito
May 24, 5:30-6:30pm, The Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH
Join the City Club of Cleveland as Salena Zito talks with Paul A. Sracic, Ph.D., Chair of Department of Politics and International Relations at Youngstown State University, on the Trump voters, their deep roots in Midwestern culture, and the future of populism in American politics. Nonmember tickets are $20.
For Freedoms Town Hall: Freedom of Worship
May 24, 7:00pm, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) 11400 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH
For Freedoms Town Hall led by For Freedoms co-founders and artists, Eric Gottesman and Hank Willis Thomas who, with a panel of local and national experts, will explore religious expression, restrictions, and agency in America. This event is free.
International Conference on Conflict Resolution
May 22-25, CWRU Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
The International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education (CRE) is an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and research. Presentations will focus on innovations in the field that are making broad impacts in local, state, national, and international communities.
Inside the Great Revolt: Who’s Reshaping American Politics?
June 1, 12:00-1:30pm, The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
Salena Zito, author, CNN analyst and columnist for the Washington Examiner, discusses Trump voters, their deep roots in Midwestern culture, and the future of populism in American politics. Nonmember tickets are $35.
Happy Dog Takes on The World: The Intersection of Clean Energy and National Security
June 5, 7:30-8:45pm, The Happy Dog, 5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH
Come for a discussion on the intersection of clean energy and national security.
Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
Summer on the Cuyahoga
Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) offers students both a wide range of internships that reflect the diversity of Northeast Ohio’s economy, and a unique social and immersion experience into our community. Land a great internship with a great company and enjoy free, centrally located housing
The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program
This program provides the opportunity to complete an internship, attend evening courses, participate in the LEAD Colloquium, and build a professional portfolio.
Ohio House of Representatives Legislative Volunteer Internship
Currently the Ohio House of Representatives is searching for qualified undergraduate students for volunteer internships. Interning for the legislature provides an opportunity for self-motivated outgoing college students to gain an understanding of the legislative process by actively participating in it.
Ohio House of Representative Legislative Page Position
Currently the Ohio House of Representatives is searching for qualified undergraduate students to fill Legislative Page positions.
OHDC Internship Program
The Ohio House Democratic Caucus (OHDC) is currently seeking motivated, politically-minded individuals to join the OHDC Internship Program for the 2018 election cycle. Interns will work directly with a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives.
The City of Canton Mayor’s Internship Program
The Mayor’s Office offers an internship program for students interested in gaining experience in the administration of local government. Positions are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Internships
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is seeking administrative interns, communications interns, and government relations interns.
Common Cause
Common Cause is looking to fill two election law-related positions. The first is a Money in Politics/Ethics Program Director, who will work with program, communication, and development staff to implement strategic campaigns that advance campaign finance and ethics reforms to make government work better for everyone.
The second position is a one-year, full-time, salaried Legal Fellow to begin in or before August 2018. This is a position suitable for a 3L graduating next month or other recent law school graduate.
Dēmos
The Dēmos think tank is looking for a Senior Policy Analyst to conduct political research. They are looking for an experienced, data-savvy analyst who can provide research, writing, and analysis related to democratic participation – including demographic analyses of registration and voter turnout, statistical and qualitative analyses of electoral outcomes, and analyses of voter suppression and voting reforms.
Ohio Department of Transportation
Have you always wanted to work for a long-term, reliable, professional, highly-productive organization? ODOT is hiring! New positions were recently added to their Statewide job board.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
A number of career opportunities are currently available with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.
Civil Conflict Management and Peace Science
June 6-July 27, University of North Texas
The Department of Political Science at the University of North Texas has initiated a unique program to provide undergraduate students recruited from across the country the opportunity to engage in graduate-level research in conflict management and peace science in a senior faculty-mentored, in-residence, eight-week, Summer Research Experience (SRE) that integrates training in civil conflict management with training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and training in research ethics.
Public Service Weekend
June 7-10, University of Colorado Denver
Apply to attend this exciting weekend conference hosted by the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs. Attendees will learn and network with prominent local, state and federal officials on how to prepare for and what to expect from a career in public service.
- Professor Jonathan Adler discusses the Senate’s rational for confirming many of President Trump’s judicial nominees.