Department of Political Science News

Advance Registration for Spring 2010 classes

Advance registration for Spring 2010 classes begins on November 9th. Click here to find out when you can register.

Underwood Fellows Program for College Students

The Underwood Institute, in conjunction with the West Virginia Republican Party, is now accepting applications from college students for the Underwood Fellows Program.

Students who wish to intern with Republican delegates and senators in the West Virginia legislature for the 2010 session are encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines of Nov. 16 or Dec. 4. 

The program is designed to foster academic learning and civic development through projects such as bill research, preparing committee reports, constituent communications, political projects, special assignments, and other substantive campaign or legislative related activities. 

Check out what Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito has to say about the Underwood Fellows Program:

"Governor Underwood long-believed that educating the next group of young leaders was one of the best legacies that any of us could leave behind," said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.  “The Underwood Institute provides young West Virginians with a fantastic introduction to government and public service, exposing them to the legislative process and preparing them to make a difference in government, business, education or a range of other endeavors.  I encourage young people from across our state to apply and take advantage of this important program.”

The program description and application can be found on our website, UnderwoodInstitute.org, or by clicking here.

Law School Fair, Tuesday, November 10th

Representatives from the Admissions Offices of the Appalachian School of Law, the University College of Law, and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University will be speaking to students interested in law school Tuesday, 10 November 2009 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in MSC 2W16. They will focus on the admissions process, but all students, regardless of class level, are encouraged to attend this informative event

Win $1500: The 2010 Dan O'Hanlon Constitution Week and John Marshall Celebration - Essay Competition

Click here for topic, rules, and deadlines.

Click here for links to the Federalist Papers online.

New internship opportunities for students interested in government!

Internship with Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito

West Virginia Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito’s office is looking for spring and summer interns. We need individuals with excellent people skills, strong writing ability and an interest for politics.

Applications for spring internship due:   December 4th           
Applications for summer internship due:  March 30th  

Internships are intended for students to gain academic credit and are unpaid. West Virginia ties and previous legislative internship experience are a plus. The office is willing to work with class and/or work schedules.  Applicants’ résumés should be no more than one page. No other attachments are necessary. 

Please email resumes/questions to jonathan.gohrband@mail.house.gov or fax 202-225-7856.

 

New faculty member joins the Department of Political Science.

Dr. Genevieve Enid Meyers is the newest addition to the Political Science department. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Management from Florida International University, a Masters Degree from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague - Netherlands, and a BA from Makerere University in Uganda. She has extensive teaching and research experience. She was a lecturer at Makerere University (1996-2002), and a teaching assistant at Florida International University (2004-2008). Dr. Meyers’ research interests include administrative reform, democracy and democratization, ethics in public service, and comparative administration. Her publications have appeared in journals like Public Organization Review, Public Money and Management, and African Journal of Public Administration and Management.

Dr. Meyers is delighted to join Marshall. In her words: “I am excited to start another chapter of my academic life at Marshall University. I look forward to a very enriching experience and to working hard to advance the goals of the department!”

 

MU students study in Canada with Dr. Behrman

This past May the MU Department of Political Science offered a new course made possible by a grant from the Higher Education Policy Commission to the Center for International Programs and corresponding offices at WVU and WVSU to introduce the idea of study abroad to first year students from colleges and universities around  the state. 

The one-credit course involved a nine-day trip to the city of Québec, capital of the Canadian province of Québec, where students stayed on the campus of l’Université Laval and received instruction on the politics, history, and culture of Canada generally and Québec in particular. 

There were lectures on the bus trip north to Canada and each morning at Laval except Friday, and afternoon excursions to sites of cultural and historical significance, such as la Citadelle de Québec, the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, and lunch at le Parlementaire, a restaurant in the provincial capitol building.  Lectures covered Canadian and Québec history, relations with the First Nations, the Canadian and Québec political systems, and U.S. Canada relations.  In the evenings, students had plenty of time to explore the city on their own. 

Check with Dr. Behrman for more information! We hope to make this an annual event.

 

Faculty News

Congratulations to Dr. George Davis for winning the 2009 Pickens-Queen Teaching Award. This award is given annually to just three junior faculty members at Marshall.

Congratulations also to Dr. Robert Behrman and Dr. Cheryl Brown whose article, “Capstone for Political Science Majors: The Content is the Service,” was published in the 2008 Fall/Winter issue of Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE 13(3/4):585-591).

On June 30th, Dr. Robert Behrman will step down as Chair of the Department of Political Science after serving four years. Dr. Marybeth Beller, who just stepped down from two years as Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts, will come back to the department full time and take Dr. Berhman's place as Chair beginning July 1st.

Dr. Jamie Warner will become the new Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts starting July 1st.