Ideopolis Volume 5, Issue 2, Spring 2018

Volume 5, Issue 2

Spring 2018

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

Forgive, Don’t Forget

by Valmore Dumont, ’19 Note: Eva Mozes Kor, a Holocaust survivor, spoke at RIC on February 15th.

Eva Kor’s presentation was a powerful, once-in-alifetime experience that left me with a lot to ponder.

Kor provided invaluable historical insight into one of the greatest atrocities ever committed, the Holocaust, but she did so much more than that. She enlightened the audience with lessons she learned throughout her life. The strength that she showed throughout the sharing of her story was remarkable. One example this strength came through in the story of her meeting with a Nazi doctor. To have the courage to sit down with someone who performed unspeakable crimes against humanity is a testament to her determination and mental fortitude. I was also very impressed by how she was able to incorporate humor into the presentation. This helped lighten the mood on what is obviously a dark subject matter. One point from her presentation that really resonated with me was

her message of forgiveness. She believes that the burden of vengeance can take a toll if not addressed. I interpreted her message as ‘forgive, but don’t forget.

Kor advocates the use of forgiveness as a tool to ‘free’ the individual from holding onto hatred for someone who has wronged you, yet she s a y s y o u a re n e v e r obligated to give that person another shot. I agree with this lesson, and I think that it can be a valuable way for people to cope with trauma. Her framing of forgiveness as a “cure” was very interesting and thought provoking. (continued on page 10)

Political Science Department Career Day Event is 3/28!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 28th! The Political S c i e n c e Department, along with RIC’s Alumni Association, will host a networking luncheon from from 12:30 to 2 in the Faculty Center Main Dining Room.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with alumni in the workforce.

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Alumni Spotlight: A Political Science Degree Leads to the Good Life

by John Paul Cimino'08 When I was an undergraduate student at Rhode Island College I was often asked some version of the following question: “what are you going to do with a political science degree?” I never liked that question. I didn’t like it because I didn’t have a good answer. But I also didn’t like it because I disliked what the question presupposed about purpose of education, and about my reasons for attending college.

The assumption behind that question can also be found at the heart of much debate about the value of education today - it’s the assumption that the central purpose of education is to prepare us for a career. This assumption is pervasive today, but it wasn’t always so. When Thomas Jefferson authored a Bill to establish public education in Virginia, a Bill that he would call “the most important Bill in our whole code,” his intent was not to better prepare Virginians for the workforce of the day, but to prepare them for a more noble purpose: “No other sure foundation can be devised,” he wrote in a letter to his old teacher and mentor, George Wythe, “for the preservation of freedom and happiness.” Public education for Thomas Jefferson was not meant to prepare us for the labor market, but rather to prepare us for enlightened citizenship and the pursuit of happiness, or what Aristotle called “the good life.”

I was able to obtain an undergraduate education for virtually nothing, thanks to the GI Bill and the relative affordability of my alma mater. This was very fortunate for me. I likely would not have attended college otherwise. And the rewards that I enjoy from that bargain are many. Despite my best efforts against it, and much to the relief of my close relatives, my education did indeed lead to a career, and a good one at that. I get to spend my days working to improve public policies that affect people with developmental disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia as the deputy director of the

Cimino and daughter, Michela Rose

Developmental Disabilities Council for the state. But a career alone does not the good life make.

If I could go back in time and answer all of those who asked me what it was that I was going to do with a degree in political science, I would tell them something like this: “I am going to think deeply about the social and political structures that shape our lives and my role in buttressing or challenging them. I am going to confront my preconceptions, my heretofore unrecognized personal biases, my inherited beliefs and unchallenged opinions. I am going to learn to live more thoughtfully, more selfreflectively. I am going to learn what Socrates would have said if he was less of a pessimist: the examined life is worth living. I am going to become a good citizen, a defender of freedom, and a pursuer of happiness. And I am going to do what I can with whatever tools I have at my disposal to make this world a better place than it was when I found it.” I don’t suspect that such an answer would have satisfied any of them, but it would have enjoyed the uncommon distinction of being completely honest.

John Paul Cimino received his JD from The College of William and Mary in 2012. He is Deputy Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha.

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS CONGRATS to Jordan Moment (’19) for being named a McNair Scholar! The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed for first generation and other students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

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package or something similar! For more information contact the PA Program Director, Dr. Leazes.

WANNA WIN $1000!?!

The National Interest and the John Quincy Adams Society have just announced a foreign policy essay contest for undergraduate and graduate students. The winning essay will appear in TNI and receive $1,000.

The first 20 entrants will receive a one-year subscription to TNI. Entrants must answer, in 900-1500 words, the following prompt: "In what area of the world could the United States reduce its military involvement? Explain your reasoning."

Submissions are due April 8. Details here: (jqas.org/ essay).

FACULTY UPDATE

For more information, go to: http://www.ric.edu/ mcnairprogram/Pages/default.aspx NEW PUB AD COURSE The College's Curriculum Committee has approved an exciting new course for the Public Administration curriculum: Public Sector Information Systems: "Students are New Course! introduced to the use of public sector information systems, their impact on the relationship between citizens and government, and the career opportunities they present.” It is a hybrid course that will replace CIS 251 in the Public Administration Curriculum. Some topics include: The Internet, Social Media and Governing; Mobile Computing; Who Owns Information; Privacy; Election, Cyber Security Issues. Cases can include issues related to: the ACA roll-out; the Snowden Affair; Wikileaks; Equifax; and Voter “fraud.” Of course, there will be the beloved workshops in the Microsoft Office

Dr. Rich Weiner has a forthcoming article to be published this spring:”Abjection, Precarity and Populist Mood.” He has been the chief middleman securing the University of Zaragoza as the July 2019 site for the 16th Biennial Conference of the Society for the Study of European Ideas (ISSEI): ”Aftershocks of Globalization.” In light of good reviews in Spain of his co-authored book, Los Indignados, he has been invited to speak on 21 June in Madrid on a panel with leaders of the Podemos Party whose development his book chronicles and analyzes. Dr. Weiner also has successfully put together a “Workshop on DeGrowth Movement Trajectories” for the 3rd Conference on Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiatives (SCORAI) at the Copenhagen Business School in the last days of June. At the close of March in Chicago, he presents two co-authored papers at The Council of European Studies Conference of Europeanists: “Hungary and Migration: Illiberal Values and an Inward Gaze…Unless You Can Pay,” and “The Oresund Bridge and the Border Management of ‘Time Flows’.”

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Internships The Political Science Department offers a variety of internship opportunities including two semester-long classes (POL 327 and 328) as well as a week-long Washington DC Internship.

Placements sites for the Spring 2018 State Internship Class (POL 327): RI State Senator Maryellen Goodwin RI Representative Alex Marszalkowski Pawtucket Probation & Parole office RI Office of Veteran Affairs Department of Labor and Training The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center

Placement sites for the Spring 2018 Field Experience class (POL 328): RI Commission for Human Rights Jury Commissioner’s Office Crossroads RI Lincoln Police Department Law Office of Corey J. Allard RI State Police Department Training Academy Committee for Public Counsel Services, Fall River Congressman Jim Langevin’s RI office

WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP: It’s not too late to apply! Six students will be chosen to spend one week this summer in the office of Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Rep. Langevin, or Rep. Cicilline. See Amy Tibbetts in the Political Science Office for application. Deadline is March 23rd.

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PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CORNER

The PERKS of Being a PUB AD Major!

The Friends of The Providence Community Library (PCL) Project

Beginning last semester and into this one, the Public Administration Program was asked to assist the Friends of Providence Community Libraries (PCL) to evaluate the “9 Libraries in 9 Weeks” Program they had designed and implemented during Fall 2017. Dr. Leazes, along with Public Administration Majors Tierra Saunders and Jemma Weibrecht, took on the task, providing the two students the opportunity to engage in applied research for the first time.

The program was a low key, simple one designed by the “Friends” group, where patrons coming to a PCL library during the nine week time frame could take a game of chance ticket, put their name and phone number (address was optional) and drop it in a bucket. The goal was to see how many system-wide individuals would visit all 9 of the branch libraries in Providence. Tierra and Jemma patiently constructed Excel spreadsheets to house the information contained on nearly 300 “tickets.” They then produced a PowerPoint presentation that summarized their findings and, along with Dr. Leazes, attended a Friends Executive Committee Board meeting

to make a public presentation. The working hypothesis was that the wealthiest community libraries (using U.S. Census Data for Zip Codes) would experience the most activity, a point that was confirmed. However a surprise finding was that the library most visited by “outside the neighborhood” patrons was the library in the least wealthy neighborhood.

The Friends Committee enthusiastically referred the Report to the Executive Committee of the Providence Community Library for consideration as the PCL Board engages in its strategic planning for the coming three years. Nice work, Tierra and Jemma!

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INGOS CORNER

In the Know about INGOS? This spring semester, Professor Carse Ramos is the visiting director of the INGOS program. Professor Ramos is continuing with the food justice project in South Providence begun in the INGO 302 Social Entrepreneurship course last fall. Be sure to check out her update on page 9.

Professor Robyn Linde is on sabbatical in New Zealand for the spring semester. She is having a great time traveling around the country and will serve as a visiting scholar at the Center for Human Rights, Law and Public Policy at the University of Auckland Law School. She will be back in the fall and will be teaching some great classes: POL 350/Topics: Political Activism and Social Justice (hybrid)/Tuesday and Thursday, 10–11:50 a.m.

Prerequisite: 30 credit hours From the American Civil Rights movement and the Arab Spring to #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, grassroots mass movements for justice have been driving forces behind social and political change. By focusing on people power, we will examine nonviolence as a vital strategy for change and explore the ways that social movements learn from one another and spread or diffuse ideas and tactics to other movements.

INGO 300/POL 345 Introduction to International Nongovernmental Organizations Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00–3:50 p.m.

Prerequisite: POL 203 International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) play an important part in global social change. In dynamic and exciting ways, non-state actors like INGOs are providing humanitarian aid, advocating for human rights, and reshaping global order and governance. Yet in a world that has historically been run by states, INGOs face unique challenges in their efforts to accomplish social, economic, and political change. This course will examine the role of INGOs in global politics in the areas of human rights, environmental protection, development, and women’s rights.

Both classes are an excellent introduction to the study of INGOs and both count toward the electives needed for your political science major.

If you still haven’t taken POL 203 Global Politics, Professor Linde will also offer it Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:00–1:50 p.m.

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Meet Our Faculty: Francis Leazes

by Jordan Moment ‘19 Hailing from the illustrious Worcester, Massachusetts, Francis Leazes Jr., Ph.D. experienced some of the most hectic years in American history, all while trying to navigate his professional and personal life through the pursuit of justice and equality. He also enjoys apple pie and Baklava, a layered pastry dish mastered in the imperial kitchens of the Ottoman Empire. He grew up during the “duck and cover” days of the 1950’s which also involved him being put in a room in for an hour during school in a 1950’s version of a 4th grade ESL experience with a classmate from Puerto-Rico in order to teach him English. While obtaining his undergraduate degree in History with a concentration in East Europe and Russia in the late 1960s, he became committed in activism on both the local level by organizing community action programs for low income kids that provided them with tutoring and sports activities and on the national level by helping out Eugene McCarthy and the anti-war movements rebellion against LBJ and Vietnam. He witnessed first-hand the power of protest in confronting institutional racism that involved the non-tenuring of two beloved professors and over a recruitment effort by Dow Chemical which resulted in a massive demonstration where a majority of the ten black students out of the 100 students at a sit in were arrested. He was one of the 1st program directors for the Student Program for Urban Development (SPUD) at Holy Cross College, a program that continues to this day. He credits the Jesuit Professors at Holy Cross in kindling the idea of public service.

After going on to UMass Amherst and receiving his MA in History, he went on to teach history in high school for

four years and then returned to the juvenile justice field where he got a job in a community based outreach program designed to keep kids home and out of “training Schools” in Massachusetts. He eventually rose in the organization to write grants and help organize programs in Massachusetts for the Key Program. This prompted his boss to say that he needed to go to back to grad school and get a MBA, but instead decided to get a MPA at UConn where he decided that he wanted to establish a career, instead of bouncing back and forth between jobs, which prompted him to stay on for the PhD program, since his NBA MLB and NFL dreams crashed and burned many years before. His dissertation was about government corporations as a way of expressing his interest in institutions. This dissertation, turned into a book, and was later cited in the decision of the Supreme Court case Lebron v.

National Railroad Passenger Corp. which established that Amtrak is a government agency. Then he took a job at Rhode Island College in 1984 and has never looked back. Great, hardworking first generation students are the reason why.

During his tenure as a professor at RIC, Dr. Leazes was also the director of the Cooperative MPA-BA program between RIC and URI for a little over 20 years, as well as shaping the BA program in Pub Admin here at RIC in a way that continues his passion for public service. For the future he plans on bringing exposure and organization to the internship program in the poli sci department, as well as continue work with Dr. Brophy-Baermann and Dr. Linde to build an active alumni network to act as mentors for current students within the department.

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

• 3/28 All Majors Job and Internship Fair, 11-30-1:30, SU Ballroom. For a list of

employers go to: http://www.ric.edu/careerdevelopment/documents/ FullSheetHandout_JobFair_March-28-2018.pdf. To register for Job Fair and other employment opportunities, go to Destinations: http://www.ric.edu/careerdevelopment/ Pages/destinations.aspx.

• 3/28 Political Science Career Day, 12:30-1:50, Faculty Center Main Dining Room. After stopping by the Job and Internship Fair, have lunch and network with Political Science alumni! Bring a book to swap (optional). Students and alumni, please RSVP here: http:// evite.me/F2Wpa3MxaS. • 3/29 Film and Panel Discussion of Whose Streets? Racism, Police Brutality and Rebellion in Ferguson, Missouri, 6pm, Alger 110. Refreshments will be served.

• 4/4 Grad Fest, Walking at Commencement? For more information go to: http:// www.ric.edu/gradfest/Pages/default.aspx.

• 4/10 & 4/12, Screenings of Política, Manual de Instrucciones (Politics, A Manual), 4:00-6:00, Gaige 100. Catch the New England premiere of this 2016 documentary about the rise of the Podemos Party of Spain. Spanish, with English subtitles.

• 4/18 Pi Sigma Alpha Induction Luncheon, 12:30-1:50, Faculty Center Main Dining Room. Find more information about our chapter of the national political science honor society on page 10. Please RSVP at: http://evite.me/ggxVsthEZk. • 4/25 Cap and Gown Convocation, 12:30-1:50, Roberts Hall Auditorium. For more information see: http://www.ric.edu/commencement/Pages/Cap-and-GownConvocation.aspx.

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LEARNING LEAVES THE CLASSROOM Whether enrolled in a class, or engaged in an internship, students in the Political Science Department have many opportunities to learn outside of Gaige Hall. Below, discover what our students are up to in the community.

POL 306. The concept of “Civitas” refers to a citizenship, especially as imparting shared responsibility, a common purpose, and sense of community. This semester, students in Dr. Leazes’ State and Local Government class “operationalized” that concept by completing a service learning project. Each student chose an activity in their home community to participate in for four to five hours during the course of the semester. They then wrote a 100 -150 word reflection about that experience paying attention to the value of the activity to the community and whether or not they met and interacted with other individuals in their community for the first time. This exercise is part of the Political Science Department’s effort to encourage students to be “active learners” as they complete the Political Science and Public Administration curriculums.

Among the projects are volunteering at the: Tiverton Senior Center; Annual Misquamicutt Beach and Barrington Beach Clean-ups; Providence Parks Department’s Earth Day activities at the North Burial Ground; George Wiley Center in Pawtucket; Girl’s and Boys Club and After School Tutoring in Cumberland; Chad Brown Food Bank in Providence, the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen and RICAN Food bank; Nathaniel Greene Homestead in Coventry; and East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society.

INGO 302. Students in Professor Ramos’ Social Entrepreneurship course are continuing a modification of last year’s Brainfood Program in a mixed income neighborhood in Providence that includes parts of Upper South Providence and the West End, and borders Elmwood.

Through fieldwork in the neighborhood, groups of students are attempting to get a somewhat comprehensive picture

of the food justice landscape in the community. One group is surveying bodegas in the area; another is investigating “food swamp” aspects (looking into the availability and affordability of unhealthy choices); a third group is evaluating the accessibility and state of public transportation options from the neighborhood to affordable major grocery chains; and the fourth group is exploring charity and other temporary food assistance programs through interviews.

POL 327 After declaring dual majors in political science and public administration and having a specialization in International Non-Governmental studies (INGOs), I decided I wanted to pursue internships to have field experience. This school year, I was able to intern for my concentration in INGOs at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island (DIIRI) . At DIIRI, I was able to apply my passion for social change and prior knowledge in my political science courses by working on a statistical project for the agency. I am currently an intern at the Rhode Island General Assembly, working for one of members of the House. Experience in the public sector has given me better knowledge of how policies are created and passed, as well as how the government operates at a state and local level. In addition, as an intern I work very closely with my Representative, I conduct research on the bills being worked on, as as well as inquire about testimonies for the bill hearings.

Furthermore, I attend House Committee sessions and meetings. I have been able to network and meet other professionals; what a great way to end my final year as an undergraduate!

—Annisha Vasquez ‘18 9

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Forgive, Don’t Forget continued from page 1 In high school, I was able to attend the presentation of another holocaust survivor. Unfortunately, back then I did not fully appreciate the significance of what I was hearing. It is important to cherish the insight of these people who have gone through such atrocities, lest we forget the conditions that created this awful period in history. Her message of

Pi Sigma Alpha Celebrates 15th Anniversary at RIC Fifteen years ago in May, the charter group of students and faculty were inducted into the Alpha Beta Epsilon of Pi Sigma Alpha. Since that time, 74 students, 11 faculty, and four honorary members have joined. Pi Sigma Alpha, the only national political science honor society for undergraduate and graduate students, and a member of the American Association of Collegiate Honor Societies, will celebrate 100 years in 2020. To be eligible to join this illustrious society, students must have: completed 60 credits, completed at least three political science courses, including one at the 300 level or above, have a cumulative GPA of 3.3, and have a 3.25 GPA in their political science classes. For more information, please contact Pi Sigma Alpha advisor, Dr. Brophy-Baermann.

On April 18th, the Alpha Beta Epsilon chapter will hold its annual Induction Luncheon during the free period.

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forgiveness made me think and reanalyze how I understood that term. Her message of tolerance and acceptance are very much needed, especially in our modern society. Eva Kor is a remarkable person who has been through so much in her life. Personally, its inspiring to see someone who has been through such hardship and use it to teach others to be better people.

President Bayley Forshee, Vice President Peggy Desjarlais, and Secretary Nicholas Phaneuf will preside over the ceremony. All members are encouraged to attend as members will need to elect a new executive board. Please RSVP by 4/11 at http://evite.me/ ggxVsthEZk. This year, 15 students will be inducted at the ceremony: Valmore W. Dumont Aaron Isaac Morgan E. Leonard Christoper A. Martin Jordan M. Moment Kathryn V. Myrtle Bassel B. Nader Conor R. O’Brien Samantha A. Paquette Tierra Saunders Stephanie A. Shaker Julia L. Testa Jemma L. Weibrecht Lacey A. Whitaker Congratulations!!!

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After nine years as department chair, this is my final

“Chair’s Corner” for Ideopolis. I have enjoyed my time as chair, especially because it allowed me to interact with many students outside of my own classes. I want to thank all of my colleagues for making the job easier, and for trusting me enough to elect me to three terms. I look forward to being able to do a little more teaching, a lot more research and writing, and I will also continue as the College’s pre-law advisor and the director of the Liberal Studies major.

I also want to take the opportunity to congratulate the incoming chair, Dr. Brophy-Baermann. She will take the reins (and the corner office!) during the summer.

The other development to announce is that the department will have two new faculty members this fall.

One will replace Dr. Perrotta, who retired last year, and will teach upper-level courses in law and courts. The other will fill a new position in comparative politics, with a focus on the politics of the Middle East. We have completed the interviews of four candidates for each of the positions, and hope to announce the names of the new department members soon.

With that said, here are the usual reminders: Registration for Fall 2018 is nearly here and it’s time to make an appointment with your advisor. Political Science 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-

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level courses must come from the list of writing courses, which can be found on your transcript and on the department’s advising sheet. You may, of course, count more than two of these courses toward the major.

Please consider an internship course (POL 327, POL 328, GEOG 463 or INGO 304). Employers value the practical experience that internships provide.

Honors Thesis. Students who have a GPA of 3.25 overall and 3.4 in the major are eligible to write a thesis to earn departmental honors. This year-long project involves one independent study in the fall semester and another in the spring. It’s an excellent opportunity to develop research and writing skills that will help you in the workplace or graduate school. It also looks good on your résumé. Juniors should start thinking about a topic that you would like to research, and speak with a professor who teaches that subject. A very brief application should be completed by April 15th to get approval to start the project in the fall. You can pick up an application and get more information from our honors director, Dr. Brophy-Baermann.

Graduation. Remember to apply for graduation with Records when you reach 90 credits. This can be done online through MyRIC under “self service”. 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! Remember that you are responsible for knowing your requirements and consulting with your advisor, but Records is the office that issues diplomas.

Dr. Thomas Schmeling 11

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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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