As we near the end of January, the world’s political and financial elite have been meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The meeting of the World Economic Forum, the theme for which was Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, concluded today; you can find information about the World Economic Forum and the 2018 meeting here. As the meeting was convening on January 23, Oxfam (the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief) published its findings concerning global economic inequality, providing data demonstrating the extent of global inequality across the course of the past year. You can find the Oxfam report, Reward Work, Not Wealth, here.
President Trump presented a major speech to the World Economic Forum (a transcript of the full speech can be found here). President Trump will also present his first State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at 9:00pm EST.
Our Department offers a range of courses annually that helps us understand the international political order and its economy, as well as domestic and global inequalities. Among our spring course offerings that discuss these issues are International Relations Theory (Professor Lavelle), Revolts and Revolutions (Professor Moore), Political Economy (Professor Posner), The United States and Asia (Professor Schroeder), and The Politics of Development in the Global South (Professor Yung), among others – including all three introductory courses.
Last Day to Add a Course. And speaking of courses this term, a reminder to our students: today is the last day to add a course. For those planning to complete POSC396 Senior Capstone this spring (and especially those planning to graduate this May), please note that senior capstone prospectuses are due in the Department office by the end of the day. See POSC396 requirements here. For those students who are still considering adding a course, today is the last day to do so; there are still openings in most POSC courses, descriptions of which can be found here.
With all best wishes,
Karen
Karen Beckwith
Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science
“Eighty-two percent of the wealth generated last year [2017] went to the richest one percent of the global population, while the 3.7 billion people who make up the poorest half of the world saw no increase in their wealth.”
“We will never manage to reach climate targets if we don’t create social fairness in the world.”
“As president of the United States, I will always put America first — just like the leaders of other countries should put their country first. But ‘America First’ does not mean America alone.”
“As long as we have exclusion of women, we will never have stability.”
“Goals are only wishes unless you have a plan.”
General Announcements
- The Department of Political Science is looking for a sophomore or junior who can serve as the department’s student assistant. Candidates should be able to dedicate 2.5 hours per week to the department office. Primary responsibilities include: basic office duties (scanning, copying, filing, etc.), picking up materials from the library, occasional distribution of materials, and assisting with the weekly newsletter. This is a paid position. To apply, please send a resume and letter of interest to Jessica Jurcak.
- Wellman Hill Summer Internship Grants are due on February 9. The application details can be found here. Applications require a letter of recommendation from a faculty member; please ask for such a letter with sufficient lead time for the instructor to complete the letter. Please don’t hesitate to contact Professor Elliot Posner if you have any questions.
- Students are invited to join the Constitution Day Committee! The 2018 forum will explore provisions of the 4th and 5th Amendments — including search and seizure, self-incrimination, and due process — in the context of modern encryption techniques. Can the government compel individuals or corporations to decrypt data? How can the courts balance personal privacy and public safety? While electronic data encryption affords many benefits, it is often an impediment to law enforcement, as prominently seen in the aftermath of the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others. Join the committee for its next meeting, Tuesday, February 6, at Clark Hall 206, 5:00-6:00 p.m., as it plans this exciting forum. For more information, email Timothy O’Shea at tmo28@case.edu.
- The Ohio State University’s Journal of Politics & International Affairs is accepting submissions of papers by undergraduate students for their Spring 2018 issue. For more information, POSC majors and other undergraduates should see the submission guidelines. Submissions are due March 2nd and can be submitted here.
- Submit your abstract for the Research ShowCASE by February 18. The event will provide an opportunity for CWRU researchers to display your research in a traditional scientific poster or other creative means.
- 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!
Beckman Scholars Information Session
January 29, 3:00p.m., Adelbert Hall, Room M2
The Beckman Scholars Program is a prestigious and highly selective undergraduate research program, affording students an elevated level of engagement with their research mentors and providing the scholars with an uninterrupted, financially supported undergraduate research experience that spans one academic year and two summers.
Japan-U.S. Relations in the Changing World: North Korea, China, and America First
February 1, 12:00p.m., TVUC Ballroom C
A lunch and lecture by Mr. Naoyuki Agawa, former Minister of Public Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. Read more about the lecture here. RSVP by January 26 to internationalevents@case.edu.
Research Applications Q&A
February 1, 4:00p.m., Nord 410
SOURCE staff will be available to answer questions related to applying for summer research and internship funding.
Adversaries Near and Far: What is America’s Future?
February 2, 12:45-2:00p.m., Sears 356
Cleveland Marshall College of Law Professor David Forte will discuss international affairs in his talk “Adversaries Near and Far: What is America’s Future?” Please RSVP to Professor Terri Mester.
Friday Lunch: Health Care Education in a Rapidly Changing Landscape
February 2, 12:30-1:30p.m., KSL Dampeer Room
As the longest-serving and visionary Dean of CWRU School of Dental Medicine, Jerry Goldberg emphasized both community service and the broader medical role of oral health. Join us as he shares his perspective on the need and prospects for change in the Medical Education Biz.
The Women’s Fund Statehouse Day
March 1, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus
Join women and men from across the state for The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio’s Statehouse Day. You will spend the morning with hearing from policy makers and community leaders on how women’s economic empowerment benefits society. During lunch, you will hear from Lilly Ledbetter and hear her courageous story on how she became a champion in the equal pay movement. Equipped and ready; you will spend the afternoon meeting with elected officials as change-makers influencing policy. More information and registration details can be found by visiting here.
Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Internship
May 29-August 3
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Washington, DC Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students a ten-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship in the Nation’s Capital. The program features an energizing and demanding mix of professional involvement, intellectual challenge, career exploration, and cultural encounter designed to provide interns with a rich and varied experience during their time in Washington. Applications are due February 23.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
The re-election of campaign of United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is seeking interns for the spring, summer, and fall semesters to work out of his office located in Berea, OH. Interns will work closely with regional finance directors to make fundraising calls, research potential donors, and help staff fundraising events attended by both Senator Brown and various campaign surrogates. Any interested students should reach out to Finance Assistant Anthony Erhardt. Students should be willing to travel to Senator Brown’s office in Berea for training. The Senator’s office is flexible with student schedules and allows students to work as much or as little as they want. All interested applicants should email a resume to Anthony Erhardt.
Public Service Scholarship
This scholarship supports female undergraduate students who are applying to or have secured an unpaid internship in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Internships in Maryland and Virginia are fine, as long as they are generally near Washington, D.C. Applications are accepted Feburary 1-April 11.
American Public Works Association Scholarship
The Ohio Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) is issuing two $1,000 scholarships to Graduate Students majoring in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field. The application deadline is February 24. See here for the further details.
ICPSR Summer School
These institutes are held at universities across the country, and improve participants’ ability to advance science and serve society. Participants emerge from EITM summer institutes better able to leverage interactions between theoretical models that clarify relevant logical relationships and empirical endeavors that clarify critical implications of observation and data.
- Professors Kathryn Lavelle and Justin Buchler weighed in on President Donald Trump’s first year in office.
- Read Professor Justin Buchler’s comments on the government shutdown here.