Opportunities and Announcements
for the Week of January 10, 2020
Happy New Year! I welcome all our students back to campus for the spring semester of the 2019-20 academic year. As I return from sabbatical, I realize that all of our political science faculty are on campus this semester, for the first time in several years. We have an active research faculty that regularly have sabbatical and research leave opportunities, and it is typical that one or more of our faculty members will be off campus. With everyone back on campus this spring, the Department has been able to offer a slightly larger range of courses this term that has been the case in the recent past. Classes start on Monday, and there is still room in several of our courses for additional students (see our spring course listing here and on SIS).
Senior Capstone Projects. For many senior Political Science majors, this is the time to continue discussions with your academic advisor and relevant POSC professors concerning POSC 396 Senior Capstone Projects. The spring term begins on Monday, January 13, and the final add date for POSC 396 is Friday, January 24. POSC 396 enrollment requires permission of the instructor, and capstone directors are listed in SIS as individual faculty for each POSC 396 course.
All political science professors are available for POSC 396 direction, including Professor Paul Schroeder, who will retire at the end of this spring semester. The Department will honor him later this spring, but students who would like to work with Professor Schroeder will have their last opportunity to do so this semester.
Senior capstone prospectuses are due in the POSC department office no later than Friday, January 24. There is very little time in the month of January to begin capstone work, so beginning early is highly recommended. Students can find information about POSC senior capstones here. For a listing of the kinds of work our POSC majors have undertaken the past and the kind of capstones each faculty member generally supervises, see the archive of previous POSC senior capstone titles and supervisors. Only faculty in the Department of Political Science are eligible to serve as capstone directors.
Discussing capstone work with prospective capstone directors. The POSC faculty enjoy directing capstone work, which can be some of the most satisfying teaching we are privileged to experience; hence, we are approachable and we are pleased to discuss capstone plans with any students. The best capstone experiences are shaped by clear agreement between the faculty member and student on the subject and form of the capstone project, and by good communication. Our faculty are always willing to discuss their standards and expectations for capstone work with interested students.
Among our diverse and talented faculty, students have a range of potential capstone directors. I recommend that students discuss their capstone plans with their academic advisors and with a few of our faculty members who work in the research area of the student’s capstone topic. For information about faculty expertise, students are advised to check on SIS to review the courses our faculty offer, as well as to review our faculty webpages. It is a good idea to prepare for such discussions in advance by identifying a few capstone topics for discussion, by matching faculty expertise and interest to the topics, and by considering specific faculty members with whom the student already has a good working relationship. Finally, once a student and a faculty member have agreed to work together, it is helpful to have a discussion about the prospectus, so that it can be submitted to our staff in Mather House 111 by the January 24 deadline.
Changes. I have returned from sabbatical, and have resumed my responsibilities as Chair of the Department. Many thanks to Professor Elliot Posner for serving as Acting Chair of our department during my sabbatical semester. There are many demands on department chairs, seen and unseen, and Professor Posner has done an admirable job in keeping our department on track during the fall semester. I am personally grateful to him for the work that he has done during a challenging and exciting period of change and innovation for CWRU.
Another change is the resignation of Ms. Jessica Jurcak, our DA3 for the past five years. The entire department is grateful to Jessica for all the work that she has done for us, for the Department, for our students, and for the residents of Mather House. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Ms. Jurcak’s final day of work is next Friday, January 17, and we will celebrate her tenure with us during lunch. Ms. Brook Sabin, our DA1, will staff the office at reduced hours, from 9:30am to 2:30pm, beginning Tuesday, January 21. We ask for everyone’s patience during the period of transition.
Again, welcome back to campus! I wish everyone a happy, successful, and productive spring semester.
With all best wishes for the New Year,
Karen
Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor and Chair
Department of Political Science
Upcoming Events
Small City Solutions
January 10, 12-1:30pm, Broadcast
Sandusky is experiencing a renaissance by celebrating its diversity, supporting entrepreneurs, redeveloping and preserving its historic architecture, and building on its reputation as a hub for tourism, transitioning into a diversified “Destination Economy.” Sandusky City Manager Eric Wobser shares the lessons from Sandusky and its surrounding region, highlighting the important role small cities play in Ohio, and how a renewed focus on unlocking their potential and addressing common challenges could improve overall quality-of-life and help bridge gaps in community caused by sprawl, disinvestment, and inequity. Event sold out, available via live stream or radio broadcast on 90.3 WCPN Ideastream.
Homeless Stand Down
January 11, 9am-2pm, Cleveland Public Auditorium
This one day event provides access to resources for individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness, including access to social service providers, haircuts, medical screenings, professional portraits, breakfast and lunch, free winter clothing, personal care kits, bus passes and more.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
January 14, 10-11pm, Broadcast on 90.3 WCPN
Two leading King scholars discuss the remarks Martin Luther King, Jr. made at the conclusion of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches; the 1967 speech in which Dr. King came out publicly and explicitly in opposition to the Vietnam War; and his last address, given the night before his assassination in Memphis in April, 1968. Listen on 90.3 WCPN Ideastream.
Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation with Khalil Gibran Muhammad
January 17, 12:45pm, TVUC Ballroom
The 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation speaker, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, is a Harvard Kennedy School Professor of History, Race, and Public Policy. He explains how “bias education”—race education—can help individuals and institutions reconcile the past within the present, and move towards greater equity, together. Read more about the speaker here. This event is free and open to the public; registration is requested.
Internship & Fellowship Opportunities
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Internship Program
During CHCI’s paid summer and semester internships, promising Latino undergraduate students experience what it’s like to work in a congressional office, while participating in weekly professional and leadership development and civic engagement through community service. Fall 2020 applications are due February 15, 2020.
Previously posted opportunities can be found on the department webpage.
Volunteer Opportunities
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Cleveland
NAMI has a variety of opportunities for volunteers and interns available. Internships available vary by program and time of year.
Cleveland Clinic
Undergraduate, graduate, medical school, or technical school students are eligible to apply for the Cleveland Clinic’s College Student Volunteer Program. Spring 2020 applications must be submitted by Tuesday, January 14 at 12pm to shubeck@ccf.org.
University Hospitals
Students interested in volunteer at UH are required to attend an information session. Info sessions are still available on January 14 or 17 and are expected to fill quickly.
America SCORES Cleveland
America SCORES Cleveland is looking for college students to serve as writing & soccer coaches for the Spring 2020 season (Feb 10 – May 9). The program currently is facilitated in 16 Cleveland Metro Schools and works with grades 1st-8th.
Summer Opportunities
Policy Matters Ohio Internship
These unpaid internships allow students an opportunity to research the economic conditions of families in Ohio, present such data, and connect with the greater community to communicate Policy Matters’ mission. Positions are offered in both the Cleveland and Columbus offices. Applications should be submitted the first week of February for the summer program.
EmpowHER
The EmpowHER program helps collegiate women find summer internships in Washington, DC and provides housing in a safe, central location. Scholarships are available. Applications for Summer 2020 are due February 1, 2020.
Japan-America Student Conference
JASC is a student-led exchange program in which students from both Japan and the United States spend a month together in the host country. While exploring different parts of the country, students analyze the past and present relations between the two countries. Scholarships are available to offset the cost. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline for the Summer 2020 Conference is February 1, 2020.
Rangel International Affairs Summer Program
The Rangel Program also accepts 15 undergraduate students to participate in the six-week Summer Enrichment Program that prepares global-minded undergraduate students for careers in international affairs. Applications are due February 4, 2020.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership Internships and Scholarships
The CAPAL offers internships and scholarships that engage students in public service both in D.C. and in various cities across the country. Summer 2020 applications are due February 13, 2020.
Cato Institute Summer Internship
The Cato institute provide students with a paid, policy research internship in various departments, such as healthcare and foreign policy. Internships are also offered in the Fall and Spring. Summer 2020 applications close February 15, 2020.
Middlebury Intensive Language Study Scholarships
Middlebury Institute of International Studies provides a summer program for students to learn a language more in depth, focusing on real-world usages. The program offers Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish for beginner to intermediate learners. Scholarships are available to cover the cost. Summer 2020 application is due February 15, 2020.
FU-BEST Summer Internship
FU-BEST offers internship that allow students to explore an enriching academic experience in Berlin by immersing themselves in a German workplace and gaining valuable intercultural experience along with skills for their careers. Applications close February 19, 2020.
Research Opportunities
Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics
Undergraduate students are invited to submit their original research to the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. This includes research that they have completed in senior seminars, capstone courses, and methods courses. Honor theses are also welcome, as long as they are under 35, double-spaced pages. Research completed by recent graduates is also welcomed, as long as the research was completed while they were undergraduate students. The submission deadline is February 1, 2020. Manuscripts should be submitted via email to psajournalou@gmail.com.
Student Job Opportunities
CCEL Student Office Assistant
The Center for Civic Engagement & Learning is looking for a Student Office Assistant who is available for at least a 2-hour block within the time frames of 2 – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and/or 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Read the full position description and apply online!
Graduating Senior Opportunities
Global Health Corps
Paid fellowships with health organizations in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia are available. 2020-2021 applications are due January 15, 2020.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Fellowship
The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship is a paid opportunity in D.C. for Latino students who recently graduated from college to enter a career in public policy. 2020-2021 fellowship applications are due January 30, 2020.
A Little Extra…
- Political Science Associate Professor Justin Buchler discussed Ohio as a swing state in the upcoming 2020 presidential election on WKYC Channel 3. Watch his interview here!
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.