Ideopolis Volume 5, Issue 1, Fall 2017

Volume 5, Issue 1

Fall 2017

idea noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, -ˈdēə also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə or ˈī-dē\: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do; an opinion or belief; something that you imagine or picture in your mind polis noun \ˈpä-ləs\: a Greek city-state; broadly: a state or society especially when characterized by a sense of community

An UNforgettable Trip

By Annisha Vasquez ‘18

The INGOS program and Student Activities coordinated a trip to the United Nations., in New York City. The trip was open to all Rhode Island College students; even alumni and non-RIC students were able to enjoy the incredible experience. Because I minor in the INGOs program and study nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the UN, I was extremely eager to attend this event. Likewise, I am currently an intern at an NGO, so I wanted to observe and analyze how one of the largest NGOs in the world functions and performs on an international level and influences NGOs at the local level. In the INGOs 300 (Introduction to International Nongovernmental Organizations) classroom, one of the main concentrations was the six principal organs of the United Nations and their functions and goals. Being able to apply this knowledge on the trip and being well aware of what the tour The author (far right, guide was demonstrating was astonishing. I was familiar with standing) the various locations that were presented as a result of analyzing them in class. One of my favorite experiences was when the tour began and the guide announced, “We are no longer in the state of New York, but on international territory.” I was also very enthusiastic about witnessing the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which is one of the main UN organs. In ECOSOC there is a subcommittee that gives consultation status to other NGOs. There was a great amount of discussion on ECOSOC in the classroom, so it was just like “putting a face to the name.” Overall it was a phenomenal experience and I'm am honored to have participated in this hands-on event.

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Volume 5, Issue 1

Fall 2017

Due to a Dr. Perrotta’s retirement this summer and Dr. Linde’s Spring 2018 sabbatical, we have some new faces in the Political Science Department. Let’s make them feel welcome!

Meet Our Faculty: Mary Dudas Dr. Mary Dudas will be teaching public law in the Political Science department during the 2017/18 academic year. She will teach American National Government, Introduction to Law, and Civil Liberties both semesters.

Dr. Dudas has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Masters degree in Political Science from the New School for Social Research in New York City. Her areas of interest include political theory and public law. Her research is on 17th and 18th century England, which built the largest empire in the history of the world, the first modern empire, and the first militaryfiscal state. Her research specifically focuses on how modern commercial democratic societies create alternatives to Christian virtue, martial virtue, and, eventually, law to self govern.

Dr. Dudas relocated to Connecticut in 2004 with her husband and oldest son. She has a second son who was born in Connecticut. A native of Washington State, she has lived in Alaska, California, Alabama, New York City, and now lives in Storrs, Connecticut. Her husband is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Connecticut. She enjoys running, Bikram yoga, and visiting museums. She is currently in training to become a docent at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Meet Our Faculty: Carse Ramos by Youssef Sharoubim ‘18 Professor Carse Ramos is a professor at Rhode Island College.

Professor Ramos is a professor for the Sociology and Justice Studies departments and the INGOs program. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a master’s degree in Nationalism Studies and law degree in International Law. She is also studying for her PhD in Anthropology and Sociology of Development. In Spring 2018, Professor Ramos will be teaching SOC 207 Crime and Criminal Justice class, SOC 333 Comparative Law and Justice, and INGO 301 Applied Development Studies.

Her research focuses on the nexus between conflict prevention, legal spaces, transitional justice and social memory, with a particular lens on victimhood designation and narrative creation. Pulling from previous work in Rwanda in Bosnia, Professor Ramos is presently looking at the transitional justice policy process being developed to deal with the various conflicts in Uganda and the corresponding legal and traditional mechanisms for navigating the overlapping victim-perpetrator spaces occupied by former child conscripts and returnee reparations.

FACULTY UPDATES Dr. Fran Leazes is part of a research team with professors from Brown and Bryant to develop a system for RI Arts and Preservation organizations to track their efforts to upgrade their physical facilities that resulted from the 2014 Bond Issue that made $35 million available for capital projects.

Dr. Rich Weiner has had four articles published: “Genealogy of a Critical Sociology of Law: Weimar to Teubner;” “The New Resilience of Pacted Transition in Spain,” “Network Knowledge Governance: Governing Algorithms and Platform Politics;” and “Méliorisme vers Reciprocité.” He also co-authored papers at the University of Glasgow this July: “The Tragedy of Orbanism: Budapest Baroque Extended” and “Assessing the Embeddedness of Sustainable Community Movement Organizations (SCMO’s) in Spain since the 2008 Financial Crisis.” The latter was also to be presented at end of June at the Society for the Advancement of Social Economics” at the University of Lyon. Rich also gave a lecture and led a seminar in July on the theme of “Populism as a Discursive Register rather than as an Ideology.” He was asked by the council of European Studies to serve for the 2nd time as a member of the Program Committee putting on the 25th Annual Conference of Europeanists meeting in Chicago this coming March.

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Fall 2017

INGOS Corner

In the Know about INGOS? Professor Linde is on sabbatical this spring. She will travel with her family to Auckland, New Zealand where she will be a visiting scholar at the University of Auckland’s College of Law in the human rights law program. She and her family will travel extensively throughout New Zealand and Oceania, and will end their semester abroad at Harry Potter World in Los Angeles, should her children behave. While on sabbatical, she will work on a book manuscript on LGBTIQ human rights, network theory, and transnational activism.

University of Auckland

Professor Carse Ramos (featured on page 3) will be running the INGOS program in Professor Linde's absence. Professor Ramos will advise students and teach Professor Linde’s courses while she is away. The INGOs courses for the spring semester are POL 203 (Global Politics), INGO 301 (Applied Development), and INGO 302 (Social Entrepreneurship). Professor Ramos will also continue the Providence food justice project (BrainFood) in INGO 302 begun by last year’s INGOs cohort. Everyone (non-INGOs students included) will be welcome in the class as long as you are at least a sophomore. It is a great opportunity to get out of the classroom, earn credit, gain experience in research design and fieldwork, and do good in your community. Join us Please contact Professor Linde (this fall) – r l i n d e @ r i c . e d u – o r Professor Ramos (in the spring) – cramos@ric.edu – for more information.

Auckland

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Public Administration Corner

The PERKS of Being a PUB AD Major!

The Public Administration Program has been asked by the Friends of the Pro v i d e n c e C o m m u n i t y L i b r a r y t o undertake an evaluation of the success of their recent system wide utilization effort. The students participating in the project will be able to demonstrate their Excel and presentation software skills. Dr Leazes suspects a few current enrollees in the Foundations class will get their administrative feet wet working on this project. More on this effort in the next issue of Ideopolis.

Recently, RIC alums Jason Pezzullo (Geography), the principal planner for City Of Cranston, and Paul DiGiuseppe ( Po l i t i c a l S c i e n c e a n d Pu b l i c Administration), Assistant Chief Rhode Island Statewide Planning and a former planner for Austin Texas, made guest appearances in the Foundations of Public Administration class (POL 301) addressing the theme of 21st Century urban and state planning in Rhode Island. Their lecture and following Q&A touched on comprehensive and strategic planning and the efforts at the state and local levels

t o c o o rd i n a t e a c t i v i t y. S o l a r f a r m development, natural catastrophes, people movers, real estate zoning were just a few of the topics they addressed.

Jason Pezzullo and Paul DiGuiseppe

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Departmental Honors FAQs

What is Departmental Honors? Departmental Honors is a designation this is placed on your transcript when you successfully complete all requirements of the honors project. The honors project is a thesis: a significant research paper that you complete over the course of your senior year. It consists of two semesters of independent study (POL 490 and 491, 8 credits total) in which you work closely with the faculty member of your choice on a question of interest to you.

Who can apply? Students with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher and a 3.3 GPA in the major are eligible to apply. They should have either successfully completed or be enrolled in POL 300 and 308 when applying.

When do I apply? It’s never too early to start thinking about doing an honors thesis, but you’ll want to have developed a general idea of what you’re interested in and found a faculty member who is willing to work with you as your thesis advisor by early in the second semester of your junior year, at the latest.

Consult with your honors advisor to determine the date by which you must submit your proposal to him or her. Keep in mind that your advisor will have to sign off on your proposal before it can be forwarded to the Honors Liaison, who must have the final draft of your formal, written proposal by March 25th for the fall semester or October 25th for the spring semester.

How do I apply? In the semester before the thesis is to begin, you, in consultation with your honors advisor, must prepare a preliminary proposal. The length of the proposal should be two to three pages and include a bibliography of at least ten sources that relate to your proposal and that you expect to examine in POL 490. You should submit both a hard copy and an electronic copy of the proposal to the Honors Liaison by the deadlines listed above (March 25th or October 25th). The Honors Liaison will make copies available to all political science faculty members who will vote for or against approval of the proposal at the monthly departmental meeting in the first week of April or November.

What happens next? If the department approves your proposal, you will then need to complete an application for POL 490: Independent Study. This form is available as a PDF for download at: http:// www.ric.edu/recordsoffice/Pages/Forms.aspx. You will need to work with your honors advisor to determine expectations for the independent study such as when you will meet with your advisor, what assignments you will do, and how your grade will be determined. This form must be signed by the department chair and then the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or his or her designee by no later than April 15th, for the fall semester, or November 15th, for the spring semester. If the department rejects your proposal, you will not be able to proceed with the project.

Why should I do an Honors Thesis? Beyond the special designation on your transcript (and honors cords to wear at commencement!), successfully completing a thesis demonstrates that you have research and writing skills that are very much in demand and that you are able to complete independent intellectual work. Moreover, you will have an impressive writing sample for any employer or graduate program that requires one. Indeed, the Adams Library and the Political Science department will retain a bound copy of your thesis, and it will be available through the Digital Commons as well.

For more information, please contact the Political Science Department’s Honors Liaison, Dr. Michelle Brophy-Baermann.

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ALUMNI UPDATES Lindsey Callahan ’16 finished the MPA program at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University in July and, in the same month, took a position as Budget Analyst for the Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget.

Matthew Devine ’07 is now Associate at Philadelphia law firm of Hill & Wallack LLP. Graduated JD Temple School of Law, 2016, Masters in Public Policy in 2013 from the Blaustein School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Previously Matt served in Washington at the U.S. Department of Education 2009-2012, after serving as an Obama campaign coordinator in Florida.

Kevin Dwyre ’13 was admitted to Ph.D program in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware, focus on global governance.

Nicauris Heredia ’17 began the Ph.D. program in Political Science at the University of Minnesota this fall.

Nicole Nehiley ’17, along with Sociology/Justice Studies majors Allison Barry '18, Meaghan Mullaly '17, and Patricia Rosas '17, co-founded a non-profit, The Roots Project. Its mission is to continue the agricultural and sustainability projects that were started in the Early Spring semester last year by students in Dr. Jill Harrison’s (Sociology/Justice Studies) Fieldwork Ecuador course. So far, it has funded the planting of 270 avocado trees and an array of supplies for the babies living at the Henry Davis Foundation orphanage in Conocoto, Ecuador. The non-profit is seeking donations to build a greenhouse to support the orphanage’s current hydroponics lab and garden. More information on The Roots Project can be found at www.rootsecuador.org.

From left to right: Allison Barry, Meaghan Mullaly, student, Nicole Nehiley, student, Patricia Rosas

Genesis Sanchez ’17 started Columbia Law School this fall.

Seyi Solanke ’13 is now Learning Assessment Coordinator at Cambridge College in Massachusetts.

Jonathan Lamantia ’13 was admitted to the Connecticut Bar, certified by Connecticut Supreme Court, and is currently a Regulatory Attorney at International Financial Group Companies, in Hartford.

Olinda Urizar ’17 was admitted to MPA/MPP program at Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

Alumni, please send your updates (job, school, life events) with profile pictures to Professor Brophy-Baermann at mbrophy@ric.edu.

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Fall 2017

Goings-on in Gaige and Beyond A look at student organizations, events and activities… Go ahead, get involved!

Holiday Party: be on the lookout for information about our annual party for students, faculty, and alumni to be held on Wednesday, November 29th, during the free period.

The College Democrats: meets Wednesdays at 12:30 in the Poli Sci Department. Officers are: Bayley Forshee (P); Esther Watrous (VP); Emily Nallen (T); and Rebekah Watrous (S).

The Political Science Club: meets Wednesdays at 12:30 in the Poli Sci Department.

Officers are: Jevonte Silva (P); Peggy Desjarlais (VP); Kazandra Delos Reyes (T); and Louisa D’Ovidio (S).

Pi Sigma Alpha: Each semester, the Alpha Beta Epsilon chapter of the National

Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, invites a small group of students to become members. To become a member, a student must have: completed 60 credit hours, taken a 300 (or above) level course, a 3.3 in their political science courses and a 3.25 cumulative GPA. This semester’s invitations have been emailed; if you did not receive one but think you qualify, please contact Dr. Brophy-Baermann at mbrophy@ric.edu. Learn more about Pi Sigma Alpha at: www.pisigmaalpha.org.

The Pre-Law Club: is planning timed/proctored LSAT practice exams, general LSAT

study discussions, and a trip to Boston for the Law School Admission Council's Law School Forum. They also hope to bring in a guest speaker or two this semester. Officers are: Nicholas Phaneuf (P); Michael Hinojosa (VP); Bethany Moura (T); and Catherine Enos (S).

Please contact Nicholas at nphaneuf_6553@email.ric.edu for more information.

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POLITICAL SCIENCE PEOPLE PICS Students on Dr. Linde’s United Nations Trip in the United Nations Security Council Chamber

Bayley Forshee, Miranda Giusti, and Jennifer Ramirez posing outside the UN. Dr. Brophy-Baermann, (far left) along with Ramon Hernandez ‘17 (3rd from left), and Michael Hinojosa (5th from left) pose with RIC president Dr. Frank Sanchez, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and others at the New England Council Congressional Roundtable at the Biltmore Hotel in September.

Political Science majors in Dr. Leazes’ 202 class trying to explain Federalist Paper #10 using a Jenga game! Left to right: Steve LaChappelle, Nick Kacavas, Madeleine LeBlanc, Alex Langlois, and Angelica Walker.

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Fall 2017

Alumni Spotlight: Victor Morente ‘15 “The smell of diesel from the bus the morning I left my hometown in Guatemala still lingers in my mind today,” tells Victor Morente, RIC ‘15.

“I remember being nauseous. I can’t say whether it was because I was nervous of leaving everything I knew behind or because of the fumes. Maybe it was the excitement that I would finally get to see my mother. I had not seen her since I was four years old and had no memory of her.”

classroom quietly as they spoke of their plans. I had nothing to be excited about.”

But his mother who always placed an emphasis on education would not let him give up. After high school she encouraged him to sign up to take classes at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).

As an undocumented immigrant he had to pay an out-of-state tuition rate that forced him to take just a few classes each semester.

In 2012, Victor became a legal permanent resident after a 16-year long legal process.

Within a semester he was on his way to Rhode Island College after graduating from CCRI with high honors. At RIC, he became active in the student community quickly rising as President of the Programming Event Board. In his capacity he managed a $60,000 budget for student activities. He also worked as a peer mentor at the Career Development Center and served as an intern at DORCAS International Institute and later the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.

21 years after arriving to the United States at six years old, Victor now serves as Press Secretary for Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. In his spare time, the former political science and public administration major can be found speaking to students in classrooms sharing details of his journey from a country that had seen a 36-year civil war. On his journey he crossed rivers, deserts, and eventually a graduation stage as the first member of his family to earn a college degree. He credits his immigrant roots for his success.

During his senior year, he met then Providence Housing Court Judge Elorza who was considering running for Mayor of Providence. With great interest in local politics and government, Victor took an internship as a member of the campaign team. Upon graduating he was hired as a lead field organizer, specifically focusing on voter outreach in South Providence. In the months following, Victor led outreach efforts that helped propel now Mayor Elorza against prominent candidates including Providence’s longest-serving Mayor, Vincent A. Cianci.

“Just a few years after I came, I had to be the interpreter for my family at all types of visits.

I had to grow up fast; no one else could do it so I took responsibility. It was tough as a 10-year old but it built my resiliency and prepared me for what was to come.”

Victor proudly speaks of his childhood in South Providence, one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. He believes that the support he received from the community helped him stay on track. “Like many immigrant families we didn’t have much, but I felt right at home in the South Side. It didn’t matter that my parents didn’t speak English or that they worked in a poultry factory to put food on the table; the community accepted us and looked out for us.”

In January 2015, Victor joined the Elorza administration as a communications associate. Since then he has risen through the ranks to Deputy Communications Director and then Press Secretary. As the primary media contact for the City he praises the Rhode Island College community for the experiences that prepared him for the role.

“I didn’t have to go to a big school. I just wanted to go to a school that would prepare me to seize any opportunity before me. My peers, professors, and advisors certainly made sure that I would be able to once I left RIC.”

Upon entering high school, Victor faced a reality that threw him of course. His was informed that because he was an undocumented immigrant he would not be able to go to college. His grades and accomplishments up to that point did not matter because he could not apply for financial aid, loans, or work to pay for tuition costs.

“I sat in my room many nights asking God what I did wrong. I had worked harder than some of my peers only to hit a wall. I felt worse when my classmates began to hear back from colleges and I sat in the

When Victor is not handling press inquiries, setting up press conferences, or writing speeches, he’s likely to be spending time with his family and fiancé, Hillary, a fellow RIC graduate and now middle school teacher.

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Welcome to the new Gaige Hall!

Most all of you have now had a chance to experience the new classrooms, labs, and common areas in Gaige. We hope that you have also found the department offices on the second floor. One change from Craig Lee is that faculty offices are no longer right next to the classrooms, with the result that we don’t see as many students during the day. Please stop in and visit if you haven’t.

Registration for Spring 2018 is nearly here.

If you haven’t already made an appointment with your advisor, please do so now.

Spring registration opens on November 6th. Remember that Poli Sci majors should complete POL300 (Methodology in Political Science) and POL308 (Contemporary Political Controversy) before taking most of your other 300-level courses. Also, remember that at least 2 of your upper-level courses must come from the list of writing courses, which can be found on your transcript and on the department’s advising sheet.

Internships add value!

Finally, please consider an internship course (POL 327, POL 327, GEOG 463 or INGO) or an internship in Geography or INGO 304). Employers highly the practical experience that internships provide. The department is currently rethinking our approach to internships and we’ll be looking for your input. Keep an eye out for an online survey regarding internship opportunities.

Remember to apply for graduation when you reach 90 credits.

This can be done online through MyRIC. The Records office will audit your transcript and confirm what requirements you need to meet before graduating. Do not wait until your last semester to do this! Of course, you are responsible for knowing your requirements, and for consulting with your advisor, but Records is the office that issues diplomas, so make sure you confirm with them.

-Dr. Thomas Schmeling, Chair of the Political Science Department and Pre-Law Advisor

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Ideopolis Rhode Island College Department of Political Science 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Providence, RI 02908

Editor Michelle Brophy-Baermann

Visit the Political Science Department's website and Facebook page!

IDEOPOLIS WANTS YOU! If you like to write and have ideas for the newsletter, consider joining the Editorial Board. Ideopolis comes out once each semester. Send all comments, questions, suggestions, news and more to mbrophy@ric.edu.

Find this and previous issues of Ideopolis online at: http://issuu.com/ideopolis, or on the Political Science website.

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