Opportunities and Announcements
for the Week of February 4, 2019
The social sciences focus on human society and social relationships, including those that involve political relationships of ruler and ruled, of state actors and citizens, of relations of dominance and subordination, of authority, compliance, and resistance. Political science, as we note on our website, “… is primarily concerned with political power, governance, and the state, broadly understood…. The study of political science can strengthen [our] understanding of the meaning of citizenship, regardless of country, and can enhance [our] appreciation of democracy, both at the level of the individual citizen and of the state.”
The social sciences, including political science, are a challenging set of disciplines because they address issues of human power and the institutions that shape and structure power and, as a result, because the social sciences study the powerful. This positions the social sciences as both necessary and challenging, and this position helps to explain resistance to supporting the social sciences.
In the post-World War II years, the United States made a national commitment to research funding. The National Science Foundation was established in 1950; in 1965, the National Endowment for the Humanities was founded; and the National Endowment for the Arts was created the same year.
As the United States made positive commitments to supporting research and scholarship as national policy, notably absent was the founding of a National Endowment for the Social Sciences. As the American Political Science Association Task Force’s work on Interdisciplinarity observed, private foundations were the initial source of funding for political science research in the immediate postwar era, with the “paramount … desire to create a vehicle for promoting large-scale lasting social change” (87), with the Russell Sage, Ford, and Rockefeller Foundations among the most prominent.
The challenge, however, of promoting social and political change was addressed by incorporating political science into the National Science Foundation, under the Directorate of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), under which Political Science is a Program in the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES; as are Decision Sciences, Economics, Law and Society, and Sociology, among others). Despite the absence of a free-standing National Endowment for the Social Sciences, the need for vigorous and rigorous social science is evident. As Glenn Seaborg, the head of the Atomic Energy Commission, told a Senate committee at a hearing concerning the creation of the NEH: “We cannot afford to drift physically, morally, or esthetically in a world in which the current moves so rapidly perhaps toward an abyss. Science and technology are providing us with the means to travel swiftly. But what course do we take? This is the question that no computer can answer.”
There are, however, major questions that political science, and the social sciences, can answer. Political science asks questions, for example, about human agency in politics, about the consequences of political decisions and policies, about the best form of a national legislature, about resolving collective action challenges to global problems. Political science answers these questions, through policy research, area studies, political theorizing, and sophisticated empirical research undertaken with clear standards of organization and evaluation. As the MIT Department of Political Science states, “Societies in all regions of the world face unprecedented challenges. Globalization and economic uncertainty, immigration, asymmetric security threats, energy dependence and the environment, health care provision, poverty, and polarization of electorates are among the issues that test our understanding of how human communities function.”
As the world grapples with major issues of climate change, growing inequalities of wealth and power, human movement in migration, immigration, refuge- and asylum-seeking, and the disappointments of the “third wave of democracy,” political science identifies these questions and is a discipline well positioned to provide answers.
Cheers,
Karen
Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor and Chair
Department of Political Science
Events
Friday Lunch: Midterm Grades for President Trump
February 1, 12:30-1:30pm, KSL Dampeer Room
Join University of Akron Political Science Professor David Cohen, a leading scholar of White House organization, for a discussion on how successful President Trump has been separate from what we may think of his goals.
Diversity 360 Lunch & Learn: “Intersectionality”
February 1, 12:30-2pm, TVUC Senior Classroom
Join Shemariah Arki, facilitator for the Women of Color Seriesat the CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center for Women & founder of the Ellipsis Institute for Women of Color in the Academy, for a lively discussion on how we can all improve our work/research/service through the application of an intersectional analysis. Event is free. Register here.
Spanish Conversation Hour
February 1, 12:45-2pm, TVUC Suite 140
Campus community members are invited to bring a lunch and spend an hour speaking and practicing Spanish with others on Fridays this semester. The conversation hour brings together native Spanish speakers, Spanish students and Spanish language enthusiasts to meet and practice the language in a relaxed setting.
Spring Festival Gala
February 1, 5-9pm, Thwing Center
Celebrate the Year of the Pig and embrace the Chinese heritage with food, drink, performance, fashion show, red carpet, signature wall, and multiple Chinese culture experience. Ticketsstart at $6.
Public Sector Unions after Janus v. AFSCME
February 5, 4:30pm-5:30pm, Law School Moot Courtroom
This program will explore the practical consequences of the Janus v. AFSCME decision for public sector union representation and provide and overview of ruling. This event is free and open to the public.
Reclaiming Racial Justice in Equity
February 5, 4:30-6pm, TVUC Ballroom A
Join Estela Mara Bensimon, professor of higher education at the USC Rossier School of Education and Director of the Center for Urban Education, for a discussion about her development of the Equity Scorecard—a process for using inquiry to drive changes in institutional practice and culture. Event is free and open to the public, registration is required.
Constitution Discussion Club
February 5, 7pm, Clark Hall, Room 210
The Constitutional Discussion Club invites you to join in our biweekly meetings to discuss our chosen topic, voting rights, and assist in planning our annual forum. Contact David McGrath or Amanda Spangler for more information if interested.
Happy Dog Takes on the World: How America Confronts Terror
February 5, 7:30-8:45, Happy Dog
Join the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the City Club of Cleveland, Global Cleveland, International Partners in Mission, and the Northeast Ohio Consortium for Middle Eastern Studies (NOCMES) for a conversation with Joshua A. Gelzer, J.D., Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading voices in counterterrorism, about America’s continued war on terror. Event is free.
Food for the Soul–Through the Lens of Our Stories: The King Legacy Today
February 7, 11:30am-1pm, Thwing Atrium
Join the CWRU community in Food for the Soul, a celebration of soul food and poetry/prose. Members of the community will be sharing quotes, speech passages from MLK or others on similar themes on how Dr. King would respond to issues in our country today.
SOURCE Information Session
February 7, 4pm, Clark Hall 206
This information session will assist undergraduate students in the arts, humanities and social sciences find research and creative projects that provide experiential learning. SOURCE provides specific funding to researchers in these disciplines. More information on this and other sessions can be found at the SOURCE website.
Immigration and the Dignity of the Human Person
February 7, 4:30pm-5:30pm, Linsalata Alumni Center
Roman Cathollic Bishop of Cleveland, Nelson Perez, will provide a philosophical, theological, and personal perspective on the human aspects of immigration and seek to broaden our understanding of this important legal, social, and political issue. This event is free and open to the public.
Friday Lunch: A Model and Scorecard of the Trump Administration’s Trade Policy
February 8, 12:30-1:30pm, KSL Dampeer Room
Join Juscelino Colares, Schott-Van den Eyden Professor of Business Law and Professor of Political Science, for a discussion about the Trump Administration’ trade policy.
Check out our Political Science Events page for additional events happening on and around campus!
Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship
The Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship is a 12-month, full-time, paid opportunity that places fellows in a selected public service agency in Cleveland. Interested students can contact Olivia Ortega (BA POSC ’16 and 2016-17 Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellow) with questions. Applications are due February 4, 2019.
Previously posted opportunities can be found on the department webpage. Please make sure to check regularly as to not miss approaching deadlines!
Summer Opportunities
Ohio Citizen Action
These paid part-time or full-time internships allows students to work with neighborhoods and communities to organize and increase public awareness of local, state and national issues. To apply for an informational interview, call 216-861-5200. Ohio Citizen Action will be at the CWRU Career Fair on February 11th.
Policy Matters Ohio
Year-round, unpaid internships are offered in both the Cleveland and Columbus offices. Fall, Winter and Spring applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The application period for Summer internships begins in February and ends when all positions are filled.
Center for Strategic & International Studies Internships
Paid part-time and full-time internships are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Applications for available internships are accepted on a rolling basis.
International Economic Development Council Internships
IEDC offers internships in four different categories: economic development technical, public policy, member services, and communications/marketing. Applications for Summer Internships are due February 15.
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Summer Internship
This internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students a ten-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship in the nation’s capital. There is a $25 application fee. Applications are due February 22, 2019.
Organization of American States
Summer internships are available in Washington, DC and country offices. Applications open January 26 and close February 24, 2019.
The Brennan Center for Justice Undergraduate Internships
Summer internships are offered at the DC and NYC offices. Interns provide research support and work in a variety of departments. Summer 2019 deadline in February 28 at 5pm.
The Carter Center Internships: Peace Programs
A number of Peace Program Internships are offered. Summer 2019 applications are due March 1, 2019.
Fund for Peace Internships
The FFP offers internships at their D.C. office for students interested in conflict analysis, peace building, security and human rights. Applications for Summer are due March 15.
Max Kampelman Fellowship Program
Kampelman Fellows join a team of world-class experts at an independent, bicameral, bipartisan, inter-branch federal agency, the Helsinki Commission, which advances American national security interests by promoting human rights, military security, and economic cooperation. Summer 2019 fellowship applications are due March 15.
Refugees International Internships
Refugees International offers a number of internships during the fall, spring and summer at the Washington D.C. regional office. Applications for Summer are due March 15.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Internships
UNHCR’s Regional D.C. office offers internships each of six units: Caribbean, External Relations, Private-Sector Fundraising, Public Information, Resettlement, and U.S. Protection. Applications for Summer 2019 are due March 15.
Volunteer Opportunities
Cleveland Spring High School Model UN Conference
March 6-7, 8am-2pm both days
The CWRU Model United Nations is hosting their third annual Cleveland Spring High School MUN Conference. Volunteers will mainly be helping with registration and running the conference behind the scenes. No MUN experience is required. Sign up to volunteer here.
Research Opportunities
2019 CERIS Research Symposium
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to present their research at the CERIS Research Symposium on March 23, 2019 at Slippery Rock. Abstracts are due March 1, papers are due March 15. If you have any questions, please email Elaine Linn at eel58@pitt.edu.
Employment Opportunities
Part-time Book Researcher Needed
Susan Page, the Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY, is hiring a part-time researcher for a biography she is writing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Twelve Books. This job, based in D.C., will involve Internet research and archival research at the Library of Congress and elsewhere. Experience in research, especially archival research, a plus. Flexible work schedule. Pay is $25 an hour. Please contact Susan at spage@usatoday.com.
Global Witness Communications Officer
Global Witness is looking for a Communications Officer to help support their Communications team on a 12 month contract. The deadline to apply is February 18, 2019.
Funding Opportunities
Ohio Chapter of the American Public Works Association Graduate Scholarship
Individuals who are seeking a Graduate Degree in Civil Engineering or Public Administration (or a closely related degree) are eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications are due February 28, 2019.
SOURCE-AHSS
Apply for a SOURCE-AHSS grant for up to $3500 toward a 10-week summer internship, research experience, or creative endeavor. The application is due Friday, March 8, 2019.
The Traub Experiential Learning Fellowship
The George S. Traub Memorial Undergraduate Research Fund was established to support declared majors who are pursuing degrees offered by the College of Arts and Sciences related to the history, politics, public policy, or economics of the Northern Ohio region.
Please note that the Department of Political Science alerts our students to a range of opportunities, including internships, fellowships, and jobs. We do not endorse or sponsor these, and leave it to the judgment of our students what is most useful and appropriate to them.