Opportunities and Announcements

     for the Week of February 18, 2019

Applications.  With midterm assignments approaching and spring break only three weeks away, the semester is fully underway. This part of the academic year focuses the attention of our seniors, as they await admissions to graduate school and law school, work on Senior Capstone projects, and prepare for the conclusion of their undergraduate education. This is also a good time for junior political science majors to prepare for their post-BA endeavors as well. While several of our students will be arranging to take the LSAT in preparation for law school, there are other opportunities for which our students should prepare now.  

One such opportunity is the Fulbright US Student Program. This program for recent graduates is available to graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree recipients with some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the research project that they propose to undertake in a foreign country. Student applicants can also apply for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.

Although these Fulbright Awards are for those who are graduating, the deadlines for these Fulbright scholarships are in the fall, for Fulbright in the following calendar year. Fulbright scholarships and awards are highly competitive, which means that our junior POSC majors should be organizing now to apply for a Fulbright. Half of our Department’s regular faculty are Fulbright scholars – Professors Posner (EU), Moore (UAE), Lavelle (Toronto), and I (UK Scotland), and there is every reason for our students to apply for Fulbright awards and to succeed in winning them. General information about the Fulbright US Student Program can be found here. Information for CWRU undergraduates interested in the Fulbright can be found here.

The UK/US Fulbright Program also offers a summer Fulbright Program for undergraduates. The Summer Institutes are specifically for undergraduates who have experienced little foreign travel. Although the deadline for summer 2019 has passed, students should think now about applying for summer 2020. The Summer Institutes are specifically targeted to first-year and sophomore students, those who “have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes.”

Nominations.  This is also the time of year when nominations are solicited for CWRU faculty awards. Two in particular are relevant to the political science faculty:  the J. Bruce Jackson, MD, Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring, and the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. We have some excellent teachers among the political science faculty, as well as dedicated academic advisors and mentors. Those students who feel so moved could nominate faculty members for either or both award(s). Information about the nomination process can be found here. The deadline for such nominations is Monday, March 11.


Cheers,
Karen

Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor and Chair
Department of Political Science

General Announcements

• The Department of Political Science grieves the loss of Timothy Allen Melton, who died January 21, 2019, from complications of a life-long illness. Alhtough not a POSC major, Tim took many political science courses during his years at CWRU. We mourn his loss and extend our condolences to his family and friends. Tim’s obituary can be found here; a funeral mass will be celebrated tomorrow, Saturday, February 16, at 11:00am, at St. Christopher Church.

Events

Friday Lunch: China’s Precarious Rise
February 15, 12:30-1:30pm, KSL Dampeer Room
Join Political Science Professor Paul Schroeder for a discussion on the prospects for both China’s governance and foreign policy.

(Un)Civil Denaturalization and the Immigration Crackdown
February 15, 12:45-2pm, Sears Library, Room 333
Join Law Professor Cassandra Burke Robertson for a discussion on denaturalization in the US. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Dr. Terri Mester.

Elect Her
February 16, 11:30am-4pm, FSM Center for Women
The Elect Her Program is YOUR opportunity to learn strategies to best prime you for office and also to learn from elected women on how they have succeeded in their campaigns! Register here.

Jewish & African American Relations in CLE Urban Neighborhoods
February 17, 3pm, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Jewish relations with African Americans in mid-twentieth century urban neighborhoods left a lasting legacy, with implications for their enduring but sometimes misunderstood connection. Join author and urban studies professor Todd Michney, to address ethnic trepidation, tolerance, and turnover in such neighborhoods. General tickets are $10.

Power of Diversity Lecture Series with Dr. Adrienne Fletcher
February 19, 3pm, TVUC Senior Classroom
Join Dr. Crawford Fletcher for a lecture on “Postsecondary Education in the Current Social and Political Climate: What it Means to be Socially Just, Anti-Oppressive and Woke Irrespective of Your Scholastic Hub.” Event is free.

After Serial’s Spotlight: What’s Next for Cleveland?
February 19, 6-8pm, Bar Louie
The third season of Serial, the popular investigative journalism podcast, focused on Cleveland’s criminal justice system.  But, as Serial shined its spotlight on Cleveland, what did we learn? And, given all the complexity, what can – and should – happen next in the quest for criminal justice reform?

All About Research Abroad: Information Session
February 20, 4pm, Sears Library Building, Room 439
The session will feature information on all of the research abroad options available for CWRU students interested in expanding their global perspective, as well as tips to make these opportunities happen further into their collegiate career.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Focus on Africa
February 20, 6:00-7:30pm, Kelvin Smith Library
A panel of speakers will discuss the implications of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on various issues and populations across Africa. Event is free, register to socialjustice@case.edu.

Integrity Dialogues
February 20, 7:30-8:30pm, Thwing Center, Room 201
What does integrity mean to you? Join us for the Integrity Dialogues, co-hosted by the Academic Integrity Board and the Global Ethical Leaders Society. Catering from La Pizzeria will be served!

Integrity Week Faculty Panel
February 21, 12:45-2pm, Mandel Community Studies Center, Room 108
Join us for a faculty panel featuring Harold Connamacher, Shannon E. French, and Lisa Nielson. Free Barrio Catering provided!

Hate: Why We Should Resist it with Free Speech, Not Censorship
February 22, 12:00pm-1:30pm The City Club of Cleveland
Nadine Strossen, former President of the ACLU, argues that the most effective way to fight hate speech is through more speech, rather than censorship. Nonmember tickets are $37.

Friday Lunch: The Real Problems With Ohio’s State Tax System
February 22, 12:30-1:30pm, KSL Dampeer Room
Join Tatyana Guzman, Professor in Public Finance at Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs, for a discussion on the lifeblood of Ohio government–the state tax system!

Integrity Week Keynote Speaker: Mark R. Lekan
February 22, 12:45-2pm, TVUC Senior Classroom
Join us for the Integrity Week Keynote Speaker, Mark R. Lekan, Director of Ethics and Compliance, Americas, Eaton Corporation. Free lunch provided!

Let’s Talk About It, A Discussion on Black Men’s Mental Health
February 23, 11am, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party
Studies show Black men are particularly concerned about the stigma of mental illness, and apprehensive about seeking help. Join Northeast Ohio Young Black Democrats and 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland for a panel discussion on Black mental health.

Check out our Political Science Events page for additional events happening on and around campus!

Summer Opportunities
Cleveland Council on World Affairs
The CCWA is currently accepting internship applications for summer 2019. Apply online.

HistoryMakers Summer Fellowships
The HistoryMakers invites applications for one of three sets of summer fellowships – Academic Research, Digital Humanities, and Creative Study. Applicant’s work must come out of their use of, and/or be inspired by, content from The HistoryMakers Digital Archive. Submission is open to both university faculty and students. Applications are due March 1, 2019.

FIRE Summer Internship Program
These ten-week, paid internship as part of our efforts to educate students about their rights at colleges and universities. This internship gives current undergraduates the opportunity to assist FIRE in defending civil liberties on campuses across the country. Applications are due March 11, 2019.

The Washington Center Internships
For more information please contact the Washington Center advisor Professor Justin Buchler. Applications for Summer 2019 are due March 13, 2019.

Center for Democracy in the Americas
Internships are offered for undergraduates interested in building and improving relations between the United States, Cuba, and Latin America. Summer 2019 applications are due March 15, 2019.

Environmental Law and Policy Center: Science & Policy Internships
Interns assist ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocates, Policy Associates, Communications Staff and Economists/Financial Analysts with a variety of tasks. ELPC has offices in Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin and Des Moines, Iowa. Applications for summer 2019 internships are due March 15, 2019.

The Buckeye Institute
The Buckeye Institute offers internships which provide the opportunity to work with Ohio policymakers and obtain valuable skills for careers in public policy and research. 

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


Volunteer Opportunities
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
CCL is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. Their consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. If you are interested in learning more about or becoming involved in the Higher Education Outreach Team, contact Jess Wilber.

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.

Employment Opportunities
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Claims Internship 
This paid internship will carry you through the lifecycle of a workers’ compensation claim. Interns will also get to work behind the scenes on special projects. Applications are due by April 1, 2019.

Funding Opportunities
SOURCE-AHSS
Students conducting research or seeking internships in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences are invited to apply for summer funding. Applications are due March 8, 2019.

Ellen and Matt Feldman Internship Grants
The awards of $4,000 each will empower CWRU humanities and social science students to explore their passion and curiosity through the internship experiences of their choice. Applications are due March 29, 2019 by 5pm.

Ohio Conference of Community Development Public Service Scholarship
Scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing for a career in public service. Applications are due April 12, 2019.

A Little Extra…

• On January 30th, Professor Kathryn Lavelle discussed Senator Sherrod Brown’s exploration of a 2020 presidential run and the upcoming State of the Union address on Sound of Ideas. Her interview begins at 25:40.

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.