Opportunities and Announcements for the Week of May 21, 2018

This is the final Newsletter of the 2018-2019 academic year.  There are congratulations to share, thanks to extend, farewells to issue, and donors to recognize.

Congratulations!  We have good news and cause for celebration in our Department.  Twenty-three Political Science majors and four Political Science minors are graduating with their BA degrees this spring.  The Department recognizes our graduating seniors’ work by listing their senior capstone titles on our POSC homepage, in an archive of POSC396 capstones initiated in 2015.  This archive publicizes the range of scholarly work undertaken by our POSC majors and celebrates, in perpetuity, their capstone work.  You can find the Senior Capstone Archive here.  We will update the archive shortly to include our 2017-2018 capstone projects.  Congratulations to all our graduating Political Science majors! 

Eight of our political science seniors are graduating with Departmental Honors this year.  Political science majors graduating with Departmental Honors are Erin Camia, Tasha Jhangiani, Liana Kabins, Rita Maricocchi, Thomas Peplow, William Schnack, Natalie Snyder, and Benjamin Wu.  Congratulations to these students graduating this year with honors!

And congratulations to our POSC majors who have won prizes this year! Siddharth Hariharan won the College of Arts and Sciences James Dysart Magee Prize, awarded to the best social science major in the junior year.  Tasha Jhangiani, Liana Kabins, and Rita Maricocchi share the Department of Political Science’s Flora Stone Mather Award, a prize given to graduating seniors for outstanding academic performance in political science.  Information about other prizes and awards can be found on the Department’s Facebook Page, CWRU Department of Political Science.

Thank You!  Many thanks to Ms. Jessica Jurcak, our Department Assistant who, across this past year, has helped to make our Department run smoothly.  Our faculty and I rely on Jessica daily to help advance and implement the work of the Department, for prompt processing of paperwork, managing student data and documents, arranging all the facets of our semiannual Senior Capstone Presentations and the Careers Colloquium events, coordinating our search for a new Visiting Assistant Professor, and much more.  We are all indebted to her for her conscientious work, and I thank Jessica on behalf of us all.

Farewell!  This semester we said farewell to Ann Conboy, our DA1, who has taken a new job at Fairview Hospital.  We also say farewell to our colleague, Visiting Assistant Professor YuJung (Julia) Lee, who is moving to a tenure-track assistant professorship in the Department of Political Science at Colorado State University.  It was a pleasure to have Professor Lee as a colleague, and I thank her for her conscientious work and dedication to our students this year (even continuing into this summer).

Our Department’s Generous Donors.  The Department of Political Science has a large alumni network, and many of our former students have been exceptionally generous to us.  Funding from donor gifts to POSC support our senior capstone presentation dinners; pay for facilities for public lectures; provide the Department with discretionary funding that allows me, as Chair, to be helpful to students and faculty alike.  From our acknowledged donors to those who prefer to remain anonymous, from those who give small amounts to those who can afford to be very generous indeed, we are grateful to them.

Without the generosity of our former students, our current students – including graduating seniors – would not be as successful as they are.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our donors – scores of whom regularly and consistently give to the Department, the College, and the larger University.  This funding supports tuition, keeping tuition as low as possible for all students.  It supports our Flora Stone Mather Prizes, given at commencement for “outstanding academic performance in political science.”  It supports opportunities that would otherwise not be available.  And all this funding contributes to a positive profile and reputation of our Department and Case Western Reserve University – that continues to benefit our graduates and alumni.  Our donors – who contribute thousands of dollars to us, or just $5 – provide our students with a foothold that lifts them beyond their own valuable efforts.

To our graduates, and our continuing students, at every opportunity, I ask you recognize and to thank our donors.  Speak well of the Department and of CWRU.  Emulate the example of those who – not knowing you individually – have nonetheless supported your success in our Department.  Like you, many of them have student loans to pay; many are in law school or graduate school and have substantial financial challenges.  Nonetheless, they give.  I urge you to plan now to give to the Department on a regular basis — $5/month, as some do, a yearly gift, whatever you can.  We are grateful for every contribution that will continue to make POSC a great major and our Department a great place for our students.

To our graduates this weekend, congratulations!  We will miss you, but we will welcome you back whenever you return to campus.  Here’s to you all, and to your brilliant futures.

As always, stay calm and study political science! 

With all best wishes,
Karen

Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Scienceymposium.

 

 

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!

Events

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.

Separate and Unequal: Can We Achieve Social Equity Through City Planning?
June 14, 12:00-1:30pm,  The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH
This forum explores the intersection of social justice and urban planning and discusses the steps to be taken towards creating more inclusive, resilient, and equitable cities. Nonmember tickets are $35.
 

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.
 

Previously posted opportunities can be found on the department webpage. Please make sure to check regularly as to not miss approaching deadlines! 

Career Opportunities

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.

Summer Opportunities

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.

A Little Extra…

  • Political Science major Rita Maricocchi looks back on her experience at CWRU in this interview with The Daily!

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