November 5, 2018 Newsletter

Opportunities and Announcements
for the Week of November 5, 2018

 

There are many events in the Department of Political Science in an election year.  Apologies in advance for today’s lengthy Newsletter. It has been an eventful week.

The Election.  The US midterm elections, and the Ohio statewide elections, are Tuesday, November 6. For those registered to vote in Ohio, you can make sure that your vote counts. From a variety of sources, here is information about ensuring that your vote will count and that you can get to your polling place if you are registered to vote in Cleveland.

Make sure your vote counts.

  1. Confirm that you are registered at your current address and find your polling place.
  2. Vote early if you can! Thirty-seven states and DC have no-excuse early or absentee balloting.
  3. If you’re missing from the list, make sure you’re in the right polling place. If you are, you have the right to vote a provisional ballot, which will be counted if you were left off the list improperly.
  4. Did you select one candidate, but the screen says something different? Alert a poll worker before you finalize your vote. They can correct the error and fix the machine.
  5. Other questions? Long lines? Call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Do you need a ride to your polling place?  CWRU’s Center for Civic Engagement & Learning can help you get there:
The Center for Civic Engagement & Learning (CCEL) will be coordinating transportation to two polling locations near campus on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6. Students living on campus can find their polling location here. All registered Ohio voters, can find their voter registration information here.

The following polling locations will be serviced:

  • Mary M Bethune School (Pick Up at Tinkham Veale University Center on Bellflower Road)
  • Judson Park Retirement Community (Pick Up at Fribley Commons Commuter Shuttle Stop on Murray Hill Road)

Seats on each shuttle are available first-come, first-serve. Pick-up from campus will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the final pick-up from campus will be at 6 p.m. Additional details can be found here. Contact Laura Bentley with questions.

Early Voting Is Available Through November 5.
Registered Cuyahoga County voters can travel from campus via the RTA Health Line bus to vote early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections through November 5 (weekend hours available). Refer to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website for a list of early voting hours. Remember: Ohio requires identification at the polling place but it does not require a photo id. Registered voters will need the last four digits of their Social Security number OR one of the forms of ID listed here to vote early.

Why Should Anyone Vote?  Voting and elections are crucial to democracy and to democratic governance. Although it is possible to have elections without democracy, it is impossible to have democracy without elections. Participation in voting confirms our general and historical commitment to a democratic form of government, based on rule of law, citizen equality, political liberty, and popular sovereignty.  

Elections are essential but limited political tools: they serve only to identify those who will govern for the course of the next several years (two years for our Representatives to the US House, four years for Ohio statewide officials, and six years for our US Senator). Despite this limited nature of elections, elections are the important starting point for further citizen action. 

As voters, we rarely have the opportunity to vote for a perfect candidate, one whose issue positions match ours perfectly and whose character meets our standards completely. We often hear the lament that we have to “hold our nose and vote.” This unfortunate phrase undermines the actual importance of electoral choice: we are restricted to choosing from among the candidates on offer, but we can vote for the candidate we think can be leveraged or encouraged to offer us the best opportunities for providing the public policies we prefer.

Voting is not a one-stop event. It is the prelude to further citizen action. Voting provides the foundation for future success in policy initiatives – in foreign policy, in healthcare, in education, and in a wide range of social policies, including student loan provision and federally supported research funding.  

I encourage everyone who is registered to vote to cast their votes in this year’s elections, and I particularly encourage our students to vote. There have been several articles about low turnout among young voters (see here and here). Voting, however, is something that we all have to learn how to do; it is “habitual” (see Eric Plutzer, “Becoming a Habitual Voter: Inertia, Resources, and Growth in Young Adulthood,” American Political Science Review, 96 (1), 2002: 41-56). Rather than lamenting low turnout among young voters, I’ll encourage all of our students (and all young people, 18 years of age and older) to begin to develop the habit of voting in elections as a first step (or, for those already politically active in other ways, as a complementary step) for ensuring democracy and advancing good public policy.

Making Sense of the Election Results.  Once voting has concluded and the polling places have closed (in Ohio, polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm), the faculty of the Department of Political Science can help us make sense of the results. Join us for our biennial Election Night Watch Party, from 7:00pm until c. 11:00pm, in Mather House 100. Everyone is welcome; pizza and drinks will be provided; and we’ll have the opportunity of using our new zoom room equipment to provide complete, up-to-the-minute coverage for our analysis. Professor Joseph White will be orchestrating the discussion. I will be at WKSU, providing live election night commentary with colleagues from area universities. And for those seeking post-election clarity, please see two events organized by the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, publicized below.

Heartbroken, Angry, and Mobilized.  President Barbara Snyder wrote to the CWRU community regarding the fatal shootings in a Pittsburgh synagogue last Saturday. Services for the Tree of Life congregation were being held in the synagogue, in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, when a man, armed with guns, entered the premises, shooting congregants and murdering eleven of them. The assailant specifically targeted Jews; was mobilized by the hateful rhetoric rampant on anti-Semitic social media; armed himself and felt empowered and authorized to act in this way. I was heartbroken by the news of this appalling event, and I extend all my sympathy to those who lost friends and family, murdered while at worship.  

And while heartbroken, I am also angry. President Trump has failed to model civil behavior; he has encouraged political violence; he has stoked a climate that authorizes public and visible anti-Semitic, racist, misogynist advocacy and behavior. This has to change, and elections can help do so.

I urge everyone, including those who have needed to seek counseling and comfort in response to this event, to mobilize in opposition to, and to change, our political climate. All of us have to call out racism, anti-Semitism, and sexism for the evils that they are; we have to shame those who think such articulation is acceptable in a democracy and to refute such ideas as the road to failure. Free speech does not mean that persons can speak freely without confronting critical speech in response; free speech allows us to speak back and to speak out against evident evil. We also need to articulate and to support public policies that advance justice and the welfare – the commonweal – of everyone in the US, and we need to vote for candidates in elections who are most likely to advance such policies. We can be heartbroken, as I am, and we can justifiably be very angry, but we also need to be politically active and involved to ensure that the murders in Pittsburgh – like the racist political violence in Charlottesville, the political murders in Louisville targeting Black people, the racist attack on worshippers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston – become increasingly rare and are replaced by a civil politics that, while still contentious, represents the best of the United States and its peoples.

Senior Capstone Courses.  As students are preparing to enroll in courses for the Spring 2019 semester, many students will be anticipating and planning for their capstone work.

POSC 396 Senior Project SAGES Capstone is a requirement for completion of the Political Science major, as well as a requirement of the SAGES Program. For those preparing to enroll in POSC 396 for the spring term, please note that you will need to identify a capstone supervisor to enroll.  Identifying a faculty member to help direct your capstone work is one of the most important decisions you can make for developing a successful capstone project. The other key decision a student must make in regard to the capstone project is the selection of the topic. These choices are, of course, related: students will want to choose a capstone supervisor who has interest and expertise in the area of their capstone topic.

I strongly encourage students who intend to enroll in POSC 396 to talk to a range of professors in our department as they develop their capstone interests – and to talk with professors early in the process. Talking with several of us will help students to focus their research interests and to identify the most appropriate and most likely capstone supervisor. Professors in our department vary in terms of what we expect from our capstone advisees. All of us expect significant writing, but we vary in terms of how we structure work expectations across the semester. Some of us require biweekly meetings; others require completion of written work at specific dates. Depending on the capstone topic, some professors will require students to collect and analyze primary data; other professors will accept critical reviews of the scholarly literature. In short, within the SAGES requirements for capstone work, professors vary in terms of their direction of capstone work, and it is important for the professor and the student to be agreed on the nature and structure of the proposed capstone.

Although our POSC curriculum does not require any particular list of courses or subfield concentrations, the strongest and most successful capstones are likely to have some basis in students’ coursework. Students’ coursework in POSC, across their undergraduate career, is meaningful and can culminate in a highly successful capstone project. Conversely, in a single semester, starting a topic de novo, with no prior coursework, is challenging. Because students should consider with which professor(s) they will be able to do their best work, a good starting point is to reflect on success in courses the student has already taken. Some professors in our department are reluctant to supervise capstone work for students they have not had in class. Note that not every professor will be the best supervisor for every student, and not every student will work well with every professor. Reflecting on one’s best course experiences and most successful course performance will help a student identify a good capstone supervisor – and, again, consulting with several POSC professors will help students find the best fit for their capstone work.

Three final points about capstone supervision:  1) students must present a capstone prospectus to their supervising professor (and the student and the professor must agree on  — and sign off on – the prospectus); 2) POSC professors are limited to directing no more than five capstone projects in a single semester, and hence a preferred supervisor may not be available if he or she has already committed to multiple capstone supervisions; and 3) in the Spring 2019 semester, Professor Buchler will return from sabbatical and will be available to supervise capstone projects; Professor McMann will start her sabbatical and will not be available as a capstone director; and Professor Posner will continue on sabbatical, unavailable for POSC 396 for the remainder of this academic. Please plan accordingly. For further information, seehttp://politicalscience.case.edu/undergraduate-programs/major-program/political-science-senior-projects/. Thinking in advance about these choices – and discussing them with one’s academic advisor and with a range of professors in the department – will provide the basis for the best capstone, and best capstone experience, possible.  

Cheers,
Karen

Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science

General Announcements

  • Check out the Political Science Department spring courses here!
  • The CCEL will be coordinating transportation to two polling locations near campus on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, from 8:30am-6pm. Students living on campus can find their polling location here. All registered Ohio voters, can find their voter registration information here. Seats on each shuttle are available first-come, first-serve. Additional details can be found here. Contact Laura Bentley with questions.
    The following polling locations will be serviced:

    • Mary M Bethune School
      • Pick Up at Tinkham Veale University Center on Bellflower Road
    • Judson Park Retirement Community
      • Pick Up at Fribley Commons Commuter Shuttle Stop on Murray Hill Road
  • Join the (new!) Immigration Justice Book Club! The first three undergraduates to RSVP for the Immigration Justice Book Club will receive a free copy of the book. The first meeting is on Tuesday, November 20, 7-8:30pm at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 
    RSVP to socialjustice@case.edu.
  • 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


Reclaiming the American Dream
November 2, 12pm-1:30pm, The City Club of Cleveland
From improving educational opportunities to strengthening civic engagement to investing in women and people of color to start businesses, Ben Hecht, president and CEO of Living Cities, shows that we know how to create conditions where everyone can prosper, we just need to implement these proven strategies. Nonmember tickets are $37.

Friday Lunch: Biennial Pre-Election Forecast Discussion
November 2, 12:30-1:30pm, Mather House 100
Join Professor Joseph White for a discussion on the upcoming midterm election.

Solutions for Child Poverty
November 2, 12:45-1:30pm, Tinkham Veale University Center Inamori Center Seminar Room
Tracy Najera, the Executive Director of Children’s Defense Fund Ohio, will speak on the growing wealth inequality in the United States and its effect on the ethics of child well-being. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Political Science Careers Colloquium
November 2, 4:30-6pm, Tinkham Veale University Center Senior Classroom
Zach Arace ’14 will return to the Department of Political Science to give a public lecture on how he has used his degree in Political Science.

Political Science Career Workshop
November 3, 11am-1pm, Mather House Room 100
Political Science majors and minors will participate in a careers workshop hosted by Zach Arace ’14.

Criminal Justice Forum II-The Missing American Jury
November 5, 5-6:00pm Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
“The Missing American Jury,” will explore how the jury’s authority has been taken and how it can be restored to its rightful, co-equal position as a “branch” of government. Free and open to the public.

Slow Food Cleveland
November 5, 5:30pm, Michelson and Morley
Sample delicious local food & hear from Slow Food advocates & educators. Free – but limited space – RSVP required by Nov 1 to Mary Holmes: mkhcon@gmail.com or (440) 423-1870.Short-Term Study Abroad Info Session
November 6, 1-2pm, Mandel School 336
Learn more about Spring Break classes in the Netherlands on Mental Health and Social Justice. Spring Courses are available to all students. 

Election Night Watch Party
November 6, 7pm, Mather House 100
Join Professor Joe White and other members of the Political Science department for food, refreshments, and analysis as we watch results come in from around the country in the midterm elections.

#ILookLikeAPolitician
November 7, 4:45pm, Flora Stone Mather Center for Women Living Room, Tinkham Veale University Center, Suite 248
This panel will discuss what barriars women face in running for elected office, how those barriers limit the voices of power, and how we promote all women to consider running and reduce barriers to do it successfully. RSVP before November 4.

Re-Entry, Not Recidivism, The Power of Second Chances
November 7, 6:30-8pm St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Avenue Youngstown, OH
This panel with local and regional leaders will discuss the power of re-entry programs for the formerly incarcerated and how we, as a society, can ensure that everyone who wants to work, can work. Free and open to the public. Live streaming of the event is available.

The Fourth Trimester: Surviving & Thriving after Baby
November 8, 8:30am-12pm, Thwing Center Ballroom
This symposium aims to demystify the postpartum experience, aptly named “The Fourth Trimester”, and will give women (and their partners) the tools to not only “Survive”, but “Thrive” after their pregnancy. Symposium is free, registration required.

European Policies toward Immigration
November 8, 3:30-5pm, Mandel Center for Community Studies, room 115
Join Dr. Marcin Gońda for a discussion on European immigration policies in the midst of a refugee crisis. For more information, please contact Dr. Kathleen Farkas at kathleen.farkas@case.edu or 216-368-2276.

Immigration and the Dignity of the Human Person
November 8, 4:30-5:30pm, The CWRU Law School, Moot Courtroom
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Cleveland will offer a philosophical, theological, and personal perspective on the human aspects of immigration. This lecture seeks to broaden our understanding of an important legal, social, and political issue to help inform public discussion. This lecture should be of particular interest to lawyers with an interest in immigration issues. The event is free and open to the public. Register online.

Evaluating Election Results Through a Gender Lens
November 9, 11am-12:30pm, Linsalata Alumni Center
How did women fair? Did gender impact candidate platform? How might we evaluate success by measure of gender? Join us for a discussion with Dr. Beckwith.RSVP before November 4.

Friday Lunch: Too Much Trust? Older Patients and Their Doctors
November 9, 12:30-1:30pm, Kelvin Smith Library Dampeer Room

Poor? Go Directly to Jail. Evaluation of Bail Reform Efforts
November 9, 12:30-1:30pm CWRU Law School, A57
CWRU Senior Instructor of Law Carmen Naso and ACLU Attorney Caitlin Hill discuss the topic of bail reform and discuss details and recommendations that could provide sweeping judicial reforms throughout the country. Cost is $10 to cover the cost of lunch. Register online.

For Freedoms Townhall: Freedom from Fear
November 10, 1-3pm Campus International High School, 3100 Chester Ave, Cleveland OH
From rampant mass school shootings across the nation to the insidious daily experience of guns and gun violence by teens living in Cleveland, this town hall will be led by teens with supporting panelists from here and beyond. Free and open to the public. RSVP online.

 

Internship and Fellowship Opportunities

Princeton in Asia Fellowship
PiA offers several year-long fellowships in many Asian countries. Applications are due November 2.

Social Justice Scholars Study Group
The Social Justice Institute invites first-years, sophomores and juniors to apply for the Social Justice Scholars study group. Accepted applicants will receive a $500 stipend for their full participation. Over the course of spring semester 2019, accepted applicants will gather with Social Justice Institute Co-Director John Flores to discuss four books and several short primers. Students interested in applying should submit a brief one-page statement that explains why they are interested in joining Social Justice Scholars, emailed to socialjustice@case.edu by Friday, November 2.

Capital Semester International Affairs and Public Policy Internship
Spend a semester in the nation’s capital with students from around the country and world who are all passionate about public policy issues and making an impact on the world. The intensive schedule is designed to maximize your time in Washington by combining learning in the classroom with practical internship experience. Applications for Spring 2019 close November 9. 

Princeton in Latin America
PiLA offers year-long fellowships throughout Latin America. Applications are due November 12. 

JET Program
The JET Program is a competitive employment opportunity that allows young professionals to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Most participants serve as Assistant Language Teachers and work in public and private schools throughout Japan; some work as Coordinators for International Relations as translators. Applications are due November 17.

Critical Language Scholarship Program
This is an intensive language and cultural immersion program that allows students to pick one of 15 languages to study overseas. Applications are due November 27.
 
Teaching Assistant Program in France
Spend seven months teaching English to French students of all ages. The application deadline for the 2019-20 school year is January 15, 2019.

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $15,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. Applications are due by January 18, 2019. 

Boren Scholarships
Scholarships for varying lengths of international study are available for students interested in national security. Applications are due February 7, 2019.

Victims of Communism
The VOC is seeking spring 2019 interns who possess a commitment to educating people about the history of communism and the dangers of collectivism. The internships are based in Washington, D.C. Click here for the available internships and how to apply.

UST Internship Opportunity
UST, an immigrant and refugee services organization, is currently seeking two interns. Interested students can apply here.

Cleveland Council on World Affairs Internships
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Ken Harbaugh for Congress Internship Program
At Team Harbaugh, interns gain boots-on-the-ground experience with critical areas, such as political coordination, campaign finance, field operations, and communications. Each intern will work directly with one of our branch leaders. To apply, send your resume to Joe Roth, Team Harbaugh’s Intern Coordinator at joe@kenharbaughforcongress.com.

Rumi Forum
Unpaid research and project internships are being offered this spring at this organization that promotes interfaith and intercultural dialogue. For further questions, email internships@rumiforum.org. Applyonline.  

Voices for Ohio’s Children Internship
Voices presents several opportunities for students to build skills in nonprofit administration, legislative advocacy, event planning, community development, and more. To apply, please send your resume and a 1-2 page writing sample to: gavin@raiseyourvoiceforkids.org. 

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Contact Karin Wishner at (216) 781-4560 ext. 5010 or kwishner@uscrioh.org for internship opportunities.

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

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Ken Harbaugh for Congress
OH-7 Congressional Candidate Ken Harbaugh is looking for student volunteers who would be interested in assisting with door knocking in the Ohio 7 District. Interested students should email Jess Kukura at jessica@kenharbaughforcongress.com.

Ohio Office of the Public Defender
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender welcomes contact from current law students, recent graduates, and other interested parties who are seeking volunteer opportunities. We accept applications for unpaid positions on a continuous rolling basis, so interested parties may apply at any time.

Volunteer for MedWish International
MedWish repurposes discarded medical supplies to developing countries and relies on volunteers to sort supplies. Contact Caley Haehn with questions: volunteer@medwish.com or 216-692-1685.

Libertarian Party of Ohio
The LPO is seeking college students to serve as volunteers for various political campaigns throughout the state. Students will be placed into meaningful positions working directly with both candidates and campaign managers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joshua Butler, Youth Engagement Liaison for the Libertarian Party of Ohio.

 

Summer Opportunities

FU-BEST Internship
Students interested in doing an internship in Berlin can apply for an 8-week placement on a full-time basis (35-40 hours per week). Apply online by December 1.

Center on Democracy and Organizing Summer Institute
The CDO is seeking applications from advanced Ph.D. students and early career researchers and organizers for participation in a summer training institute focused on the study of democracy and organizing. Summer 2019applications are due December 17.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
The Cleveland Fed is offering a variety of summer 2019 internships. Search intern job openings and apply online. Applications are due December 7.

Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program 
The eight-week Summer Research Program enables students from any university to develop expertise in one of two tracks: Public and Global Health Track and Aging and Neurological Diseases Track. Students may apply to one or both programs for which they qualify, but may only be accepted into one program. Applications are due February 1, 2019.

IT Lab: Summer Security Intensive
SSI is a fellowship program for rising college seniors. This paid seven-week summer fellowship program is designed for U.S. citizens and permanent residents interested in pursuing graduate degrees and careers in the information security sector. Priority applications are due February 1, 2019.

National Academy of Social Insurance
The National Academy of Social Insurance is looking for graduate students, recent graduates, and qualified upper-division undergraduate students for placement in its twelve-week, paid, summer internships. Students interested in U.S. social insurance and related issues are encouraged to apply for one of the Academy’snationally-competitive internship programs. This listing was forwarded by Professor White, who is a member of the NASI and can tell interested students more about the organization. Applications are due on February 1, 2019.

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program
This six-week program offers students a greater understanding of careers in international affairs. Applications are due February 5, 2019.

 

Graduate Opportunities 

PhD Studentship at Loughborough University London
Exceptional candidates who want to enrich the field of contemporary French, British and/or European studies, with an approach that is pluralistic, inclusive and interdisciplinary are invited to apply for this program. 

 

Career Opportunities

Campaign Legal Center
The CLC has an open position for General Counsel. Contact Debbie Tang or Tory Clarke for more details about this opportunity. 

City Club of Cleveland
The City Club of Cleveland has two open positions:part-time Office and Customer Experience Coordinator(applicants should send resume and cover letter to CFO Julie Kelly, jkelly@cityclub.org) and full-time Membership and Advancement Manager (applications should send their resume and cover letter to Director of Advancement Noelle Celeste, nceleste@cityclub.org).

 

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