Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Blog Quietude


I heard on the radio that the week between Christmas and New Years is the time in which the least work gets done in the US. So allow me to be part of that great tradition. Blog posts will begin in earnest in the New Year; until then, content yourself with some amazing political posters at Chisholm Larsson Poster Gallery in NY and at the International Poster Gallery in Boston.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Saturday, December 23, 2006

USAID Paid Summer Internships

Summer 2007 Internships

USAID has fifteen Summer 2007 paid internships available in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia located in Washington, D.C. This is an excellent opportunity for outstanding students interested in pursuing careers in international development. Interested students are encouraged to visit the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia website (http://www.usaid.gov/locations/europe_eurasia/) to familiarize themselves with USAID’s work in the region and identify areas of particular interest.

The criteria for selection are:

  • Students must be U.S. citizens. Selected students will be required to undergo a security clearance process and sign a personal services contract.
  • Students must be university or college students (juniors, seniors or graduate students).
  • Application requirements are:
    • A Letter of Interest
    • A resume or Curriculum Vitae
    • Two letters of reference
    • Verification from the university or college of current enrollment
  • Applicants should be studying relevant disciplines (public policy, international relations, economics, journalism, agriculture, public administration, law, political science, health, science, finance, etc.).
  • Flexibility, initiative, enthusiasm, good interpersonal skills and lots of energy are desired. Computer skills are a necessity.

Normally, the internships range from eight to ten weeks in duration and commence from late May through mid-June. Due to the large number of applications received, we may be unable to respond to all of the applicants individually. We hope to contact candidates under consideration by late-February or early-March.

USAID is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information on these internship positions and instructions for applying, view this solicitation in either: Microsoft Word (181kb) or Adobe Acrobat PDF (137kb).

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Blogroll, Please...

If you look to your right, you'll see an addition to the site: An alum blogroll. There were enough PG alums with blogs I thought it best to gather them up in one place. If you've got one and want to share it, let me know.

Friday, December 22, 2006

UW to EU

Not cheap by any means, but UW's Center for West European Studies is offering a summer program at the EU:

"The EU Studies Summer Program in Brussels offers US students the opportunity to study the emergence of a united Europe in its dynamic heart. Running from July 16 to August 10, the program will consist of two courses plus an EU simulation for a total of 12 quarter credits (or 8 semester credits). The Program is co-administered by the European Commission-sponsored EU Center of Excellence at the University of Washington (Seattle), the European Union Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), and is hosted by the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The four-week program features lectures and seminars by leading experts on the EU from both sides of the Atlantic, as well as site visits to major EU institutions and organizations involved in European integration. In addition, the program is supplemented by cultural and social events in and around the city, as well as a field trip to Luxembourg. Brussels’ central location allows students to easily explore the area’s rich history and culture at their own pace. The city is famous for its excellent dining, and the program will start and end with group dinners. Field trip costs and both welcome and farewell dinners are included in the program fee. Discover the new Europe through the EU Studies Program in Brussels!"

I feel like this is something we should be putting together here on campus for our own students. The university is interested in shorter study abroad programs, and Professor Fields, Share and I have been talking about proposing one in the next couple of years that would take in India and China. Keep you posted.

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Video Killed The Economic Star

Two lessons to be learned from the following article:

1. Don't make "informational videos" if they just make you look even geekier than you already are;
2. Beware the remix/upload to YouTube.

You have to appreciate the fact that the parody was done by a graduate student in the same department, though.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Professor Weinberger in the Media--Again...

Professor Weinberger's blog Security Dilemmas has attracted the attention of Slate for the second time this year:

"Former Marine officer Westhawk notes that Sistani vetoed this same proposal last spring. He hopes that a coalition could shuffle the warring factions: "It would realign it into a moderate versus extremist fight. This would be Iraq's last best hope for political reconciliation, something which still seems to be a long shot. This coalition would also likely be Iraq's last best hope for a unified state."

But Seth Weinberger, a political science professor, believes that this coalition will cause more fighting, not less. "[T]he US leadership must prepare itself and the American public for the inevitable results of this new strategy: increased violence," he writes at Security Dilemmas. "Splitting the Shiite ruling bloc and challenging the militias will lead to much higher and more intense levels of fighting, especially when the US troops take on al-Sadr's Mahdi Brigade directly."

Check it out here; read Professor Weinberger's analysis in its entirety here.

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Get Paid: Teach For America Summer Institute Training Positions

Many thanks to Jess Box '06 who is currently working for Teach for America in DC. She emailed me to let me know about summer positions with TFA to help run the summer training programs that prepare new TFA members for their teaching positions. In other words, this is a summer job with TFA, as opposed to joining TFA itself. Here's their blub:

"In the summer of 2007, Teach For America will run five institutes in Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York City. Across the five institutes, about 2,700 new Teach For America corps members will come together for an intensive five-week, pre-service training program. The purpose of the institute is to prepare corps members to assume full-time teaching responsibilities in the fall and produce significant academic gains with their students. Each institute team also works closely with local school districts so that new corps members can deliver a rigorous academic summer school program to more than 1,500 children in that school district."

Deadline is January 21. Find out more and apply here:
http://www.teachforamerica.org/careers/cm_alum/

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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Internship Closer to Home: Congressman Brian Baird

I've been posting all kinds of things in DC; of course, some of our students aren't necessarily interested or able to do a jaunt to the Beltway. Indeed, A number of our majors have been doing internships with members of Congress in their local offices, and of course such an opportunity can be found wherever you might want to hang your hat. To that end, I got an email from PG alum Page Paulsen Phillips '92, who has been working for Congressman Brian Baird on natural resource issues. She writes that was an intern in Norm Dicks' office when she was a senior at "and it is, in large part, responsible for my career in politics...I have been fortunate enough to work for some fantastic Members of Congress, not only here in the Pacific Northwest but also around the country." Congressman Baird has internship opportunities in his Vancouver, WA or Olympia office. Here's the info:

Job Title: Congressional Intern
Organization Name: District Office of Congressman Brian Baird


No of Openings: 1-3
Work Schedule: Varies based on individual
Hours per Week: 15-20
Wage/Salary: unpaid
Employment Start Date: ongoing
Employment End Date: ongoing
Supervisor: Amanda Dotson
Job Description:
Interns working in the district office in Vancouver are responsible for a variety of activities vital for day-to-day operations. Tasks vary depending upon office needs and the academic focus of the selected intern. Interns will often be assigned projects to assist staff members in preparing for specific outreach assignments. Interns also are required to provide critical support assistance in the office. Duties include answering the phone, clipping newspaper articles, filing and researching. Opportunities to accompany staff members or Congressman Baird at various events within the district also often arise. Internships are unpaid and negotiated on an individual basis, so as to structure time availability and potential projects around each student’s needs and interests.

Qualifications: Applicants should be an undergraduate or graduate student with excellent public relations, research, and writing skills. Must have a background or interest in politics and public policy. Applicants should also have a professional attitude and a positive outlook.
Educational Component
Interns will gain:
-Professional office skills
-Public relations skills
-Research skills
-Excellent grasp of current events
-An understanding of the federal government

Application Instructions:
Mail or Fax your resume and cover letter to:
Congressman Brian Baird
General O.O. Howard House
750 Anderson Street, Suite B
Vancouver, WA 98661
Fax: 360-695-6197

Please also include this information:
-Major
-Expected Date of Graduation
-GPA
-Will you receive credit for this internship?
-How many credits?
-Contact information for 2 Personal References
-If you plan to intern during Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer
-The days of the week and the hours for which you would be available to intern.

Please include answers to the following questions in a cover letter:
-What issues are you interested in?
-What prompted you to seek an internship with Congressman Baird’s office?
-What do you want to be doing in five years and how do you think an internship in Congressman Baird’s office will benefit those goals?

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National Endowment for Democracy Internships

NED is an impressive organization. Worth looking into.

http://www.ned.org/employment.html

International Forum for Democratic Studies Internship

The International Forum for Democratic Studies, the research arm of the National Endowment for Democracy, is a leading center for analysis of the theory and practice of democratic development worldwide. It is also a clearinghouse for information on the varied activities and experiences of groups and institutions working to achieve and maintain democracy around the world.

The International Forum offers internships to advanced undergraduate and graduate students during the fall and spring semesters and during the summer. Forum internships, which are unpaid, provide students an excellent opportunity to improve their knowledge of democratization and international affairs and to develop and improve their research, writing, and computer skills.

Forum Research and Conferences Internship

Interns work with Forum staff to monitor important developments in the democratizing world and help plan and administer a busy research and conferences program.

Responsibilities:

* compiling a database of news and research on world events relating to democracy
* writing and editing features for the quarterly electronic newsletter of the Comparative Democratization section of the American Political Science Association
* conducting research and preparing brief reports and bibliographic essays on such issues as civil society and democracy, political finance and elections, political party reform, Islam and democracy, and the democratic response to terrorism
* helping develop the Network of Democracy Research Institutes through Internet research and writing
* writing and editing features for the research network's electronic newsletter and Web site
* assisting with administrative planning of Forum meetings and conferences

Qualifications:
Although there is no required academic major, most Forum interns have majored in political science, international relations, or contemporary history. Applicants should have a strong interest in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, and democracy as well as excellent research, writing, and computer skills. Students with foreign-language skills are particularly encouraged to apply.


To Apply for a Forum Internship
Please send a cover letter, resume, two references, and brief writing sample to the contact below.

To receive full consideration please apply by:

Deadline for Summer 2006: March 15
Deadline for Fall 2006: July 15
Deadline for Spring 2007: November 15

Applications submitted after these dates will be considered only if positions are still available.

Intern Coordinator
International Forum for Democratic Studies
National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800,
Washington, DC 20004
Fax: 202-378-9704
Forum@ned.org

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Monday, December 18, 2006

Binding Information

Students have a plethora of tools for class, but what about all that other junk--notes on contacts, internship leads, business cards, stuff to do with the future? Ever since graduate school I have used something like the above, particularly if I go overseas. I can take notes, stuff receipts and other bits of paper in the interior pockets, and it's small enough to carry around in a purse or coat. Oh, and it only costs a couple of bucks. So students, my advice to you is get a small personal notebook with pockets and use it to collect any scrap of information related to life outside school that might be of value later.

Not Really Trevor Anthony '02

A shout from a recent alum who's got quite a online presence of his own worth checking out.

After graduating in 2002 I took a job with DuPont ("The miracles of science," formerly, "Better living through chemistry" -- hey, a miracle is clearly an upgrade from mere "better living") where I presently work in a sales capacity. I managed a sales territory in the San Francisco Bay Area for them before being moved to San Diego at the end of 2004. Although my current position is not directly linked to politics and/or government, I can still see myself moving into a field more closely linked to political science in the future.

I have traveled a bit since graduation and I have been lucky enough to visit Chile, Argentina, Germany, and Belgium, along with many other domestic locales. I stay in touch with quite a few UPS alumni all over the country and I frequently make trips to my hometown, Redwood City (Northern California), where my family still resides.

While not working, traveling, or spending time with family and friends, I may be found working on an article for my blog, "You wanna know what I think?" It is a veritable smorgasbord of my thoughts on the state of the world with the occasional "How-to" instructional on things which I pretend to know something about. I also have numerous links to other interesting things found all over the web, anyone can check it out at http://notreallytrevor.blogspot.com.

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

Some Shots From Campus

I went onto campus and took a few pictures. Power has been restored to some buildings and not others. The library is closed and took a direct hit from a fir tree, though it looks like it only knocked off a detail from the building. Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry; the battery on the camera was low.

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The library; you can see the stone detail on the ground that got knocked off the building

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At Jones Circle

IMG_0006
Over by Wyatt

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Behind the President's House

A few more pictures here.

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Saturday, December 16, 2006

What's the Opposite of Gloaming?

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Lights are still out on campus, but there's a nice sunrise in my neighborhood.

Friday, December 15, 2006

More Windy Pics

Update: Drove onto campus this afternoon, the only power appeared to be in the Student Union (on a generator), and the grove of trees between the library and the president's house was a mess. At least one big fir was toppled. According to the news the top gust here was 70 mph, closer to 90 on the coast.

wind storm 1
After my last post I decided to go out and look around the neighborhood to see what the wind storm brought down. These trees are a block from my house.
wind storm 2

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Blown Away

Picture courtesy James over at Tacomaness.

A big wind storm here last night that cut off power to one million homes and businesses, including, it would appear, UPS (I'm at home and can't reach the university website). Three people killed across the state, lots of downed trees and general mess. You can read more at the News Tribune; sounds like it could be a while before they get the lights back on for those in the dark. Good thing most of the students are already gone.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

PG Alums: Come to Campus March 26

We're planning to have a PG alum-student gathering Monday, March 26 at 5:30 pm (I had this post up for a short time yesterday with a different date, which we had to change to the current one).

The gathering will be here on campus so that our students can rub elbows with those of you who have made your way into the big world. So alums, if you're in the area and think you could attend, would you please jot it in your calendar? We'll send out more specific invitations to some of you we know are around, but if you are thinking you might be able to join us do drop me an email.

If you're further afield and would like to join us (maybe come over the weekend and reacquaint yourself with campus?) let me know. We're excited to see you all and, I hope, meet some of you I've only been in touch with through email.

Women's Foreign Policy Group Internship in DC

Another good opportunity to intern in DC. The deadline for summer is April 15, so there's a good deal of time to craft your application. Let the department know if you would like some help--those of you heading out to DC at Spring Break, perhaps you could set up an informational interview at WFPG in advance of applying if you're interested in this position?

The Women's Foreign Policy Group is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational membership organization which promotes global engagement and the leadership, visibility and participation of women in international affairs. Our members are mid and senior-level international relations professionals whose positions exemplify the myriad opportunities for international careers - from White House advisors to the State Department, NGOs to Wall Street, the World Bank to foreign diplomats.

Internship Description:
The WFPG is looking for a responsible and motivated intern to focus on planning and outreach for programs featuring international affairs officials and experts. Interns will research foreign policy topics with a special focus on Islam, assist in media outreach and the production of the WFPG newsletter, update the WFPG database and webpage, assist with membership renewal, and complete other office tasks as assigned.

Competitive candidates should have a demonstrated interest in foreign affairs and excellent computer skills (Windows, Access, Excel, & Internet research). Interns must possess outstanding office and phone manners, and excellent writing skills, in addition to being well-organized, punctual, dependable, flexible, attentive to detail, and able to work both i ndependently and as part of a team. Applicants must be available a minimum of 12-15 hours per week and ideally available two-full days per week.

Special Benefits:
Exposure to mid and senior-level professionals from across the international affairs field. Opportunities to learn more about international issues, leadership development and the operations of a small nonprofit. WFPG events and co-sponsored events are a great opportunity to get a feel for the way international issues are discussed, and to mingle with past and current women leaders. WFPG interns also occasionally have the privilege to attend co-sponsored and other events to which WFPG members are invited, including events at the Council on Foreign Relations and at the State Department, which are usually closed to the public. Washington, DC in general offers a variety of forums at which political and international issues are discussed, and interns are welcome to participate in those as well.

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter (including your availability), resume, two-page writing sample, contact information for three references and an unofficial copy of your transcript to:

Women's Foreign Policy Group
Attn: Ms. Kimberly Kahnhauser
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 720
Washington, DC 20009-5728
Fax: 202-884-8487
Email: execasst@wfpg.org

Deadlines:
Spring 2007 - January 5, 2006
Summer 2007 - April 15, 2007

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Go Abroad: Foreign Language Fellowships

There are several great opportunities all of our students (and alums in grad school) should consider.

1. NSEP Boren Fellowships. "The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships offer a unique opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad. NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East)." These are geared toward new language acquisition, so it's great if you're interested in learning a new and understudied language like Arabic or Mandarin. Find out more here; there's also a fellowship for those in graduate school. January 30th deadline.

2. The National Flagship Language Program. "The National Flagship Language Program (NFLP) was developed to address the urgent and growing need for Americans with professional levels of competency in languages critical to national security. NFLP offers advanced language training in Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, and Russian. NFLP is designed to train participants to reach professional working proficiency in a target language, as measured by the federal Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 3 and/or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) superior level." This program combines domestic and international study after graduation.

3. Department of State Critical Language Scholarships. "As part of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), a U.S. government interagency effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages, the Department of State Critical Language Scholarships will provide funding for U.S. citizen undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. students to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers...Summer 2006 language institutes included Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, and Urdu. The institutes took place in Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen." Find out more here; details and deadlines should appear in January.

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A PhD in Political Science, But Are There Jobs?

A new study from the American Political Science Association looks at the job prospects for those with PhDs in political science. Their focus is in higher education (where the majority of PhDs wind up working), and find that the market has grown by 20% in the last few years, with the highest demand for those trained in American politics. This is particularly true for undergraduate institutions, where small departments see American politics as a vital part of their political science offerings.

I would guess that this growing demand might be present in other disciplines as well, as the baby-boomer generation begins to cycle out of workforce, leaving educational slots to be filled. Read the piece here.

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Koch Foundation Programs for Undergrads and Recent Alums

The Charles G. Koch Foundation's mission is "to advance social progress and well-being through the development, application and dissemination of the Science of Liberty". To that end, they have two interesting opportunities, one for undergraduates and one for more recent alums:

Koch Internship, Washington DC
"The project assignments cover fascinating areas including policy research, leadership and talent development, grassroots education, marketing, and network development. This hands-on experience gives interns the chance to explore the non-profit sector while applying the management philosophy they are learning from the Foundation, and allows them to build a network of like-minded friends and associates.

Spring and fall Internships are part-time and flexible, but interns must be available at least 20 hours each week between the hours of 8:30am and 5:30pm, Monday - Friday. Summer Interns are also part-time, but interns work regular schedules, 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Spring and fall Interns are paid an hourly rate of $12.00. Summer Interns are paid an hourly rate of $13.00. Metro assistance is available only for summer Interns. Unfortunately, housing is not provided.

Koch Associate Program, June-May Washington DC
The program offers 30-50 promising leaders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to work on significant assignments within non-profit organizations while simultaneously learning and applying Market Based Management®. During the year-long program, Associates are based in Washington, D.C., and spend four days each week at non-profit organizations working in full-time positions and one day each week at the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation immersed in a Market Based Management® curriculum."
For the Associate Program, they want zero to ten years of work experience, a Bachelor's degree, and an interest in the non-profit sector--sounds like a lot of our alums.

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Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Summer Internship and Fellowship

Thanks to Sarah Studer '05 for forwarding this:

DEADLINES APPROACHING FOR APAICS 2007 SUMMER INTERNSHIP AND 2007-2008 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

Washington , D.C. The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is currently accepting applications for its 2007 Summer Internship and 2007-2008 Fellowship Programs.

Each year, APAICS invites college students to apply for its Summer Internship Program in Washington , D.C. Interns are placed in Congressional offices, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations to obtain a first-hand learning experience in American politics. Through a series of seminars, they learn about national Asian Pacific Islander American advocacy organizations and network with peers from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).

This year, the internship will last from June 4 to July 27, 2007. Those attending continental U.S. schools will receive a total stipend of $2,500. Interns attending Hawaii schools, or who live in Hawaii , will receive a total stipend of $3,000 to cover additional transportation costs. All application materials, including application form, resume, transcript, cover letter, writing sample and two letters of recommendation, must be submitted by January 31, 2007.

The three 2007-2008 Fellowship Programs are the George Aratani Foundation/Daniel K. Inouye Fellowship Program, the Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellowship Program, and the Sodexho Health Policy Fellowship. Applications for these programs must be postmarked by Wednesday, February 28, 2007. There will be no extension deadline.

Maya Yamazaki and Gloria Chan are the current fellows for the George Aratani Foundation/Daniel K. Inouye Fellowship Program and the Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellowship Program, respectively. Ms. Yamazaki has been placed in the Office of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), and Ms. Chan is with the Office of Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA).

Applications and information for all programs can be downloaded from APAICS website, www.apaics.org. Candidates can also request an application by sending an e-mail to apaics@apaics.org.

APAICS was founded in 1994. It is a national 501 (c) (3) non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization based in Washington , D.C. , that seeks to build a politically empowered Asian Pacific American community, to fill the political pipeline for Asian Americans to enter and advance into elected office, and to be a resource to Congress about the Asian Pacific American community.

1001 Connecticut Ave, NW
Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 296-9200 Fax: (202) 296-9236
Email: apaics@apaics.org

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Elaine Bolton '64 Takes us to Havana

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Elaine Bolton '64 recently returned from a trip to Cuba where she attended the Havana Jazz Festival. The trip nicely coincided with the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's return from exile. Fidel was a no-show, but our t-shirt made an appearance, and two shirts stayed behind and are now part of the Havana sartorial scene. Thanks for the picture, Elaine!

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Monday, December 11, 2006

Atlantic Council

"The Atlantic Council of the United States promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century"

They have a lot of opportunities, including Washington DC Internships, A student essay contest, and student conferences in Europe. A must browse for any student interested in foreign affairs.
http://www.acus.org/programs-education.asp

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Greenpeace Internships, DC, NYC, SF

I got some good intern/job leads from alums which I'll post this week. For now here's one that just came in:

Greenpeace Internship Program

Washington, D.C. United States
As a Greenpeace intern you can work to:
Save the planet from a nuclear arms race
Stop the destruction of the world's last ancient forests
Eliminate the threat of genetically engineered food
Empower consumers and shareholders to hold corporate polluters accountable
Promote solutions to the glo! bal warming crisis
And yes - save the whales!
Activist training will be conducted in areas such as corporate campaigning, non-violent direct action, media relations, materials production and grassroots outreach. We are flexible with your schedule and can help you receive class credit.

Available positions:

Position Title: Actions Intern
Location: Washington DC or San Francisco

The Actions Intern will provide support to the Action Unit in all areas of its activities, and will work in both the office and at the Greenpeace equipment center.

Responsibilities include: research, coordination of meetings and conference calls, administrative support, communications with activists and volunteers, travel arrangements, equipment prep and maintenance, and other duties as apparent or assigned.

Qualifications: ability to work independently, ability to prioritize multiple tasks, excellent written and verbal communications skills, stron! g research skills, computer skills, ability to work with confidential information, commitment to protecting the environment, commitment to non-violent direct action as a means of effecting change.

Position Title: Global Warming Intern
Location: Washington DC
The Global Warming intern will play a critical role in the effort to fight global warming by helping to organize the one voice that has not yet been mobilized on the issue: the American public.
Our new Project Hot Seat Campaign is geared towards building champions in Congress. With motivated congressional members recently elected, this is the perfect time to turn up the heat on solidifying all those campaign promises. Big oil and gas have been lobbying to prevent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions long enough. We need to change the climate in Congress.

Responsibilities: phoning membership to recruit and manage volunteers, conducting online research, assisting in the development and distribution of educational materials, and additional projects as! needed.

Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to work well independently, a commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone.

Position Title: Solutions Intern
Location: New York City or Washington DC

Our Solutions department is looking for a solutions intern that is studying marketing or business. This internship is perfect for an independent worker dedicated to educating the public on environmental issues while searching for real world solutions.

Responsibilities: internet research, general campaigning, and helping to create a sustainable solution to global warming.

Requirements: excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong research skills, ability to work well independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change, enthusiasm for protecting the environment.

Position Title: Grassroots Organizing Intern
Location: Washington DC

Greenpeace is hiring grassroots organizing interns.

Responsibilities include: phoning membership to recruit and manage volunteers, conducting online research, assisting in the development and distribution of educational materials, and additional projects as needed.

Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to work well independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone.

Position Title: Toxics Intern
Location: Washington DC

Responsibilities include: research on chemical security and electronic waste, phone banking membership on legislative issues, assisting in a priority international campaign, and assisting in ad! ditional projects as needed.

Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to work well independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone.

Position Title: Photo Intern
Location: Washington DC

Responsibilities Include: research, administrative support, communication with outside sources, maintaining images for database, assist on photo related productions, and other duties as apparent or assigned.

Qualifications: Ability to work independently, prioritizes, multiple tasks, and work with confidential information. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong research skills, computer savvy Mac / PC platforms - including software (but not limited to) Photoshop, Photo Mechanic, I-view, Illustrator, and Micr! osoft Office. Photography / graphic design background a plus but will ing to train the right individuals.

Intern Position: Oceans Team Intern
Location: Washington DC

Responsibilities include working full steam on international whaling issues. The next IWC is being held in Anchorage, AK and it is time to finally stop the slaughter of whales. As Ocean's intern you will be able to be part of innovative outreach and political campaigning leading up to this important meeting.

Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to work well independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone.

Intern Position: Web Team Intern
Location: Washington DC

Responsibilities include research, administrative assistance, and communication with campaigns department for detailed upkeep of inform! ation on website. Other opportunities include expanding ones knowledge of technical skills.

Qualifications: Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and multi-task along with excellent written and communication skills. Knowledge of social networking and blogging a plus. Applicants must have a strong desire to work in a fast paced environment.

Intern Position: Forest Team Intern
Location: San Francisco

Responsibilities include but are not limited to administrative assistance, research on current legislation, corporations, and

Qualifications: Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong online research skills, the ability to wok well independently, commitment to non-violence as a means of affecting change and enthusiasm for protecting the environment. Candidates should be computer savvy and comfortable on the phone.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to: interns@wdc.greenpeace.org. Include the position you are ap plying for.

Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way Greenpeace selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and effectiveness of our campaigns. Greenpeace strongly encourages applications from women, people of color, and other under-represented communities.

Greenpeace is an independent campaign organization, which uses non-violent creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and to force solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Deadlines for applications:
Spring: December 20, 2006
Summer: March 11th, 2007
Fall: July 30, 2007

Contact information
Please send cover letter, resume and one short writing sample (500 words or less) to:
e-mail: interns@wdc.greenpeace.org
No phone calls, please.

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Sunday, December 10, 2006

All I Want for Christmas

is on ebay.

...ok, I want more than this, but it's a good start.

Special kudos to those who can pick the date range for this card--the answers are out there.

UPDATE: I know one of you is the current bidder on that postcard. Drkhrse99362, if you get it, would you send me a scan? Better than setting off an ugly bidding war...

Yes, Political Science Can Change Your Life

From the News Tribune:

"What’s an idea worth? A lot, according to Tacoma attorney Arthur R. Paulsen, who recently pledged $1 million to establish the Arthur R. and Anna Mae Paulsen Endowed Visiting Chair in Public Affairs at the University of Washington Tacoma.

The annual holder of the Paulsen chair – a prominent public figure – will spend a week at UW Tacoma, deliver a major public address and likely give classroom lectures and meet with students.

The idea for the series was planted when Paulsen was a UW student in the late 1930s; his life was changed by [political scientist] Harold J. Laski, a speaker he heard in the Walker-Ames Lecture Series, which has brought eminent scholars to the Seattle campus since 1936. "

Read the article here; I look forward to seeing what speakers will be brought to Tacoma in years to come.

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Friday, December 08, 2006

Just Love that Mountain

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Yet another picture of Mt. Rainier, this time taken from near Olympia at--what else?--a Christmas tree farm.

Reminder: Professor Weinberger's Liveblogging

A reminder that Professor Weinberger has been invited to blog the Manama Dialogue Persian Gulf Security Summit. Over the weekend, he will receive, post and comment on transcripts of the sessions and speeches as they take place in Bahrain. Pretty impressive list of participants. Check out his site over the weekend as the summit takes place.

Speaking of Professor Weinberger, yesterday one of our faculty members received the following email from a family friend:

"Do you know Seth Weinberger? Do you like Seth Weinberger? Why don't you have a blog like Seth Weinberger?"

Fidel Loves Politics and Government

I have it on very good authority that our PG t-shirt has made an appearance in Cuba. In the absence of hard evidence I went looking around and found this intriguing image from the Cuban state media:

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More information as it develops.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Alums: Do You Have Summer Internships?

Alums:

Does your organization/business have unpaid or paid internships during the summer? Would you be interested in a PG student apply to be an intern? If so, please email me with any details. A number of our students are starting to think about what to do this summer and I'd like to expand the advice we can give. Business, law, politics, tech, we're interested in whatever you might have to offer. Many thanks!

Too Much Fun For Any One Person to Bear

Masa is now open on Sixth, just around the corner from E-9, and it sounds irresistable. And complete with a take out taqueria open 24hrs? Wow.

And this Friday, when you're not studying for finals, why not go to the Beautiful Angle Holiday Benefit Show? Music, art, food, all for a good cause. At Blackwater Cafe. Find out more at Exit133.

Summer of '51

From the Journal of Higher Education, February 1951.
Reporteredit

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Alum Profile: Dexter Van Zile '87

When did you graduate from UPS?

I graduated from UPS in 1987 with a B.A. in Politics and Government with an emphasis in international relations. The Cold War was over, but a vestigial belief in its existence was still serving as one of the primary organizing principles in how we thought about international politics. Belief in the Cold War was a dying faith. We were still mouthing the hymns, but not with a lot of enthusiasm.

Phil Phibbs was president of the school and it was becoming increasingly clear that the school had become something special – largely as a consequence of Dr. Phibbs's leadership. Such irony. I used to rake him over the coals in The Trail on a regular basis. Most of the calumny I subjected him to was undeserved, but I was easily bored, had space to fill and he was a convenient target.


What have you been doing since graduation?

I joined the Peace Corps went to Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo), right after I graduated. I left the U.S. in July 1987 to work as a public health agent and spent the next 15 months getting sick with boils in my skin, malaria, dysentery and finally, hepatitis. Bugs crawled into my skin and laid eggs. I tell people that I fulfilled my obligations as a public health volunteer in Africa by serving as a receptacle for all the microbes that would have afflicted my neighbors. That is how I contributed to their health.

Eventually, I was sent home in late 1988 about 50 pounds lighter. Believe me, I could afford to lose the weight, but it was still a pretty disconcerting.

People in the bars would point to me as I walked passed them on the road, laugh and call me Kalongi SIDA. (Kalongi is a common name in the DRC ; SIDA is the French acronym for AIDS.) It sounds horrible now, but at the time, I shrugged and laughed with them. (There's an old trope amongst the Peace Corps types: Volunteers come back from South America as revolutionaries; from Asia they come back philosophers; from Africa, they come back laughing. I guess that's what happened to me.)

I could go into more detail about my time in the Peace Corps but the easiest way to describe it is that it was the worst 15 months of my life, but probably one of the best things that happened to me.

Being sent home early was a source of shame and guilt. I felt I owed the Peace Corps – and more importantly, the village I was living in -- another year, but I was too sick and unhappy to stay. My entry into the Peace Corps was like being thrown down a well. It was disorienting, but ultimately fruitful once I got out, which took a while.

After the Peace Corps, I bounced around working at a number of jobs before going back to Washington to get a master's degree in Political Science/Environmental Studies at Western Washington University. I went to WWU to figure out what it was that I wanted to accomplish with my life. If I had a better sense of what I wanted to accomplish, I might have applied to a more prestigious school, but Western was a good place to get my bearings.

While taking classes at WWU I worked in a nursing home. I wrote my thesis while working at a convenience store/gas station in Bellingham. My thesis was about the attitudes toward conservation held by commercial fishermen in Washington. At the time, I had fantasies of enlisting the commercial salmon fishermen in Washington State into the cause of reforming forestry practices in the state. (Salmon need healthy streams, and healthy streams require healthy forests.) Eventually, I learned that pavement was a greater threat to salmon runs than clear-cuts.

During my summers in Bellingham, I worked for the Washington State Migrant Council at one of their Migrant Head Start Centers in Lynden Washington and when the center would shut down for the season, I'd work harvests on a potato farm in Lynden.

The three summers I spent at WSMC as a health aide were sort of a penance for my early departure from the Peace Corps. I figured that after being sent home a year early, I still owed somebody (God? The U.S. government? The Universe? I dunno) another year doing public health work similar to what I would have done in the Peace Corps if I had stayed. After my third summer, there was part of me that understood that the debt had been paid. (I know that acting on these motives does not make for a lucrative career, but I can't complain of boredom or monotony.)

After getting my master's degree, I worked at an oil refinery at Cherry Point (Whatcom County), then on a fishing boat in Alaska. I worked on the Pamela Rae, owned by Bob Thorstenson, Jr., (AKA "Thordaddy") a UPS graduate and fraternity brother of mine. My time on this boat would prove crucial later in my career.

During all of this, I would write freelance articles for the commercial fishing press.

In 1995, I came back to Massachusetts (my true home) and got a job writing for a chain of weekly newspapers outside of Boston. I worked for two years as a reporter, then as an editor. The readership was small and the topics only important to a relatively small number of people, but I loved the job. I'd get late night calls from people in the towns I was covering asking me to look into stories. People relied on my impulse as a crusader to get their stories out. My liberal arts background from UPS and the experience I had writing my thesis at WWU helped me do some good work I was proud of when I left.

In 1997, I got married and at the end of 1998, I went freelance. The local newspaper grind was not conducive to family life and a baby was on the way, so I left the business. I went freelance not because I thought I was going to make it, but I was at the end of my tether in local papers and daily journalism looked too much of a grind.

When I told people I was going freelance, it was really a convenient way of saying I was quitting my job and had no idea what to do next. Still, I went through the motions – I bought the fax machine and the computer and started making calls for assignments and surprisingly, I was able to make a living writing for magazines. My two biggest clients were National Fisherman and Robb Report a magazine for millionaires. Every once in a while I could write about philanthropy at the Robb Report, which felt pretty good and the editor is a good friend of mine.

National Fisherman was a great magazine to write for. The nice thing about the commercial fishing industry is that there are too many competing interests for the magazine to paper over problems in the industry. I got to write some good stories that actually helped drive the agenda for fisheries management in the U.S. and that was exactly what the editors wanted. I had learned a lot about the industry working on Thordaddy's boat and it served me in good stead while I was at National Fisherman.

In 2005, I started working for the David Project, researching and confronting the anti-Israel campaign that had taken root in mainline Protestant churches in the U.S.

I grew up in a mainline church – the United Church of Christ – and had become dismayed at how mainline churches had held Israel to a utopian standard of conduct and its adversaries to no standard at all. Mainline churches officially acknowledge Israel's right to exist, but then follow these acknowledgement with a long litany of complaints and demands of Israel that make it sound as if they are doing Israel a favor by affirming its right to exist.

The fact is, Israel's legitimacy is not a settled issue in the Middle East. Churches that want to bring "peace" to the Middle East have an obligation to say so. Instead they have offered a narrative in which Israel can end the violence against it by rendering itself acceptable to those who call for its destruction through concessions and withdrawals. It hasn't worked. It won't work. (END OF POLEMIC).

Now I work for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) doing the type of work I started doing at the David Project. It's controversial work, but it is hugely satisfying and I'm pretty good at it. When I started out doing this type of work, I was bereft of allies, but now, I have a lot of friends, supporters and confidants – who are wiser than I. I enjoy rising up early for this work.

Why and how did you decide to take the career path you did?

I have no idea. I didn't really "decide" to anything, but acted on compulsions that seemed to propel me. Still, there has been an arc. I bumbled through my 20s, found my footing in my 30s and in my early 40s, it feels like I've found my calling. Opportunities became available, and I took them when it felt like I was supposed to.

Are there any aspects of the Politics and Government major of your UPS education that have served you particularly well?

I started the process of learning how to write for professors in the P&G department. Professors at UPS expected good writing and that's a good thing. I also learned that ideas matter. They have real consequences. Thinking about human behavior in a systematic manner is a lot harder than it sounds and I got my start in learning how to do this at UPS.

Do you have any advice of what our students should (or should not) make certain to do while still in school?

Take religion classes. When I graduated, I mistakenly and arrogantly regarded religion as a spent force in human affairs. I should have known better. My Congregationalist upbringing was one reason why I joined the Peace Corps straight out of college – a decision which had profound consequences on me, as you can tell. I was acting out a religious impulse I didn't know was there. It had real consequences.

Suffice to say, the events of recent history demonstrate that religion is not a spent force in human affairs and anyone who is going to assume a leadership role in society should have an idea of how a society's belief systems affect its outlook and behavior. A comparative religion class might not be a bad idea.

It also might be a good idea read The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins. There are other books as well.

Do you have any advice about what our students should be thinking about as they consider their future careers or further education?

A while back, I heard someone say words to the effect that as much as we may be repulsed by reactionaries, they show us what is at stake and as a result, we can't ignore them. Don't ignore or dismiss the reactionaries. (Please don't see this as an endorsement of anyone's reactionary agenda, just an admonition to pay attention to them).

Any other words of wisdom?

Two things:

1. Early difficulties after graduation made me useful and teachable. Don't throw yourself intentionally down a well, but if it happens, don't be in such a hurry to get out. Climb out slowly.
2. Marry well if you can. I have a wife and two children (whose names I have intentionally left out of this entry) and they have been a great source of sustenance for me. This was an accident on my part and emblematic of the unmerited gift of grace.

Here's a recent piece he wrote for CAMERA if you're interested in his work.

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Shop Local/Global

Yesterday we blogged about the wonders available from our Oly friends to the south. In addition, there's another local/global option for the holidays. In today's News Tribune, an article about the Hèrè jè Center, which helps girls in Mali "break the cycle of begging, create a business and become self-sufficient. This program combines lifeline services with micro savings and credit to help the poorest of the poor street children go from begging to business in 18 months." Linda Danforth of Congressman Adam Smith's office here in town is involved in this project, the upshot of which is that their products are available not only online but also at the Tacoma Sheraton. Head over there if you're looking for the perfect gift that helps someone in need, or browse the catalogue here. Some great stuff.

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  • Tacoma

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Shop Oly


Need a different sort of Holiday gift? Want to support the South Puget Sound? Try here:
http://www.buyolympia.com/

Monday, December 04, 2006

Japan America Student Conference on Global Change

Another great opportunity this summer in Japan! Professor Fields took part in this conference as a student and recommends it highly. In addition, though the program is not cheap, in this case we may have a specific line of funding for it. So if you are interested contact me or Professor Fields.

The Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) is an educational and cultural exchange program for university students. Each year, 36 American and 36 Japanese students from diverse backgrounds spend an intense month living, traveling, and studying together. During the 59th Conference in Japan, students will work to deepen the ties between the U.S. and Japan. The delegates will collaborate with leaders in business, academia, and government on contemporary social, economic, and political issues that face the U.S., Japan and the world. JASC is student managed by 16 Executive Committee (EC) members from both countries who work in collaboration with JASC, Inc. in Washington, DC and the International Education Center in Tokyo.

The 59th Conference will proceed under the theme “Advocating Japan-America Participation in Global Change.” Japan and America represent two major economies and democracies that are capable of combating issues in our world today—how they must work, where they must act, and what they must do will be a focus of this conference. As students, we stand in a unique position, and it is our responsibility to participate in contemporary politics and diplomacy.

The Conference will travel to four Japanese sites for academic roundtable discussions, cultural and social events, lectures and panel presentations. These experiences will provide a foundation for mutual understanding, social awareness, cultural sensitivity, and exchange of ideas. More importantly, the bonds that will form as a result of the 72 students living and working together will offer the basis for life-long friendships that will further strengthen the ties between Japan and the United States.

American delegates will be selected from all fields of study and will range from 1st year college students to Ph.D. candidates. Delegates need not be Asian studies majors or studying Japanese language because English is the primary language of the Conference. While U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is preferred, the only eligibility requirement is full-time student standing. Each applicant will be asked to submit short answer essays, an autobiographical essay, a writing sample, a current transcript and letters of recommendation. Upon selection, delegates will prepare a roundtable-related paper prior to the Conference.

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Slipping and Sliding

Senior Cody Costello has released previously suppressed pictures of his ill-fated attempt to ski the staircase in front of Diversions Cafe during our recent snow. Gaze upon the folly of youth.

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That's Cody on the right, addressing the adoring crowds.

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Wheeee

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Ow.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

More Good Email Advice

A useful piece at Inside Higher Ed on sending proper email, something we've spoken about here in past.

One thing I would add that doesn't come up in the article. I'm surprised that some students approach email rather sporadically (not checking it for days, for example), and also often don't respond or acknowledge replies. I wonder if this has something to do with the way in which the more immediate contact of text/instant messaging and cell phones has pushed email out of students' central modes of daily communication. But to the best of my knowledge, for most of the business world email remains critical, so students should get in the habit of using it regularly as a means of professional contact. Anyof you out there in the alum world who have thoughts on this?

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Saturday, December 02, 2006

Holiday Jingles

Need an endless stream of Christmas tunes? Go to Pandora, pick out a Christmas tune you like and a corresponding version, and you're good to go. I'm partial to post-war through rat pack renditions, myself.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Holiday Party

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This evening we had had our department party on campus in Trimble Hall and invited PG seniors to join us. It was a nice evening, and all of the food rapidly disappeared, meaning that I brought along those Ziploc bags for nothing. Rats.

We also toasted Professor Arpad Kadarkay, who is retiring after 27 years with the university. Professor Kadarkay will spend part of spring on a much-deserved trip around Greece and other parts warm and classical. If you know Professor Kadarkay, you know that this is a perfect coda to his service to the university. All the best, Arpad!

More pictures from the event here--I didn't like how the flash made the shots turn out so I converted them all to black and white. So much more stylish.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

T-Shirts are Here

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Come get'em! And if you haven't paid for yours, come pay and get yours as well!
They look great over a long-sleeve shirt and tie...I'm setting a fashion trend.

Matt Perry '06 and a Local Internship Opportunity

I had a chat with Matt Perry '06 yesterday and learned that he has joined the UPS-Congressman Smith cabal. Much of Congressman Smith's office in town and DC is controlled by UPS PG alums, so I'm happy to see that we're ever tightening that grip (I've got some pork-barrel legislation I need pushed through). Interning for Congress is a great opportunity, even if US politics is not your main interest. Give Matt a call or drop him an email.

Hi there, my name is Matt Perry and I am an '06 PG grad. I spent this summer working on U.S. Congressman Adam Smith's (WA-09) re-election campaign and have recently started working in the Congressman's District Office here in Tacoma. I am the latest Logger to join the staff (there are five of us) and I am looking for college students interested in internship opportunities.

As someone who completed two of these internships while attending UPS, I strongly encourage anyone interested to apply. I interned for Reps. Adam Smith and Norm Dicks and found both experiences very rewarding.

The District Offices of U.S. Representatives function often as a resource for constituents who have nowhere else to turn. We help constituents who are having trouble with the Social Security Administration, the State Department, Homeland Security, etc. We also work with community groups and research legislation. It is rewarding, both personally and professionally.

In my experience working in government, one job has always led to the next (thank you to Professor O'Neil for setting up my first interview). By interning as a college student, I graduated already knowing what types of government work interested me and with a strong resume.

If you have any questions about the internship or otherwise, please don't hesitate to contact me:
253-896-3775 (work)
matt.perry@mail.house.gov

Congressman Adam Smith
Welcomes Internship Opportunities
Congressman Adam Smith is currently in the process of looking for interns who want to learn about the daily operations of Congress and its inner workings. He is looking for individuals who want to be a part of a hard-working team of people who are willing to serve the citizens of Washington State.

Program Outline: Internships are available for school credit if approved by your college or university. Interns may work full-time or part-time.

Job Description: Internships are both administrative and legislative in their nature. Some responsibilities include: attending community meetings, researching and writing responses to constituent inquiries, and performing a multitude of administrative tasks.

Application Procedure: To be considered for an internship, please submit the following information as a complete packet: cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation, and a one-page writing sample on why you would like to be a congressional intern. Please send your packet to:

Congressional District Office: Congressman Adam Smith
3600 Port of Tacoma Rd, Suite 106
Tacoma, WA 98424
Attn: Diane Brazell, Office Manager

All students are encouraged to apply. For further information, please contact my district office at 253-896-3775.
Matt Perry
Office Assistant, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith

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Cain Scholarship: Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

Some time back I mentioned that thanks to the efforts of Mark Smith '61 the Cain Scholarship, administered by the School of Business Leadership, has been opened to applicants in any department.

I noticed this morning that the SBL website has not made this change, so I confirmed that indeed, it is now open to all UPS students. The deadline is March 10 and the application can be found here. The scholarship "was established to encourage students to support an ethical or moral position which may be unpopular. It seeks to support personal risk-taking in a controversial environment."

The department would very much like to see several of our majors apply.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Record-Breaking Blogstats

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More amazing traffic growth on the department blog

Note to self: good time to unleash my get-rich quick scheme on our unsuspecting readers

The Social Networks of Violence

Thanks to Stefan Moluf for pointing out a recent Wired article that looks at a triple murder last year that took place not far (as in a block) from campus. The piece explores how the lives of the killer and victims were embedded in the social networks of MySpace. Read the piece here.

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Gay Ghetto

In August the university let us know that UPS has been touted as "as one of the 20 Best Campuses for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) students in the nation". But that's not all, apparently. Via Exit133, the websites 247Gay.com and gayghettos.com have come out with a list of the top twenty emerging gay neighborhoods in the country. And on that list? Hilltop. According to them, "the area will only see more gentrification in the years to come due to planned office and condo developments, affordable historic homes, great sense of community and easy access to downtown Tacoma."

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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

More Icy Pics

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Getting a coffee I shot a few more pics at Harned Hall.

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The snow makes the glass look like it's been shattered

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Looking back toward Thompson

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Principia College Public Affairs Conference

Another conference opportunity. Want to go? Let us know.

I would like to inform you of Principia College's 58th Public Affairs Conference (PAC), entitled Is Democracy the Global Solution? Navigating Democratic Ideals and Realities.

First held in 1939, Principia's PAC is the oldest student-run conference
of its kind. Its purpose is to inspire active citizenship and participation in public affairs by creating a forum in which students nationwide come together to examine vital contemporary issues with their peers. The conference is designed to allow students to interact with a host of distinguished speakers, notable academicians, and accomplished professionals by means of lectures, expert panels, and solutions-oriented workshop groups.

This year's PAC will be held from Thursday, April 12th to Saturday, April 14th 2007. The conference will explore the many facets of democratization and seek to answer questions such as: Are elections the best indicator of democracy? Are democracy and liberty the same thing? Is democracy culturally exclusive? Will democracy lead to a more peaceful world? This year delegates will get to hear from a diverse range of panelists and speakers. Marc Howard, associate professor at the Center for Democracy and Civil Society at Georgetown University and author of The Weakness of Civil Society in Post-Communist Europe, will be our keynote speaker. Other featured speakers include Amy Chua, author of the best-selling book, World on Fire, and Professor of Law at Yale Law School. In addition, a panel of experts will explore in-depth the current cases of Iraq and Afghanistan, as post-9/11 transitions.

Delegates will have the opportunity to engage in workshops to develop solutions to the many questions posed throughout the conference and to present these proposals in a multi-media format.

In January, I will be sending you a packet of brochures with more information about our conference. Please distribute this information to students who may be interested in attending PAC. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit our website at www.prin.edu/pac.

I appreciate your help in generating interest among potential delegates. If you have questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact me or Executive Directors Sarah Andrews and Jessica Morton.

Sincerely,
Jordan Vivian
Director of Off-Campus Delegates.
Email: jordan.vivian@principia.edu
Phone: (248) 891-5441

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Snow. Really.

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Last night it started to snow for real, and the temperature dropped down well before freezing. We woke up to a fine powder.

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All the schools around town are closed, including UW Tacoma, and PLU is on late start. But not UPS. We can take it!

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It would be fine if it were a slushy mess, but it's only in the twenties outside and not supposed to get much higher during the day. The result is a packed sheet of ice that now covers the roads and sidewalks.

Sliptacular.

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Monday, November 27, 2006

Snow?


Well, not too much, but you know how the smallest bit of frozen precipitation freaks out people in the Puget Sound. If you squint hard enough you can see a flake or two in the air.

(please no guffaws from those of you in places with a real winter).

Zorba Leslie, Watson Fellowship Nominee

Zorba Leslie, one of our majors, is one of the university's three nominees for the Watson Fellowship. His proposal is titled "Finding Justice: Learning to Reconcile the Past to Live the Present," and seeks to visit Chile, South Africa, Rwanda and Cambodia in order to "to assess the effectiveness of the retributive and restorative methods of securing justice available to post-conflict societies as they attempt to strike a balance between forgiveness and vengeance." Read more about his proposal here.

And what about the fellowship itself?

"The fellowship program provides fellows an opportunity for a focused and disciplined year of their own devising—a period in which they can have some surcease from the lockstep of prescribed educational and career paths in order to explore a particular interest thoroughly. During their year abroad, fellows have an unusual, sustained, and demanding opportunity to take stock of themselves, to test their aspirations and abilities, to view their lives and American society in greater perspective, and to develop a more informed sense of international concern.

Administered in cooperation with fifty outstanding private colleges and universities throughout the United States, the Watson Fellowship provides a grant of $25,000 to each recipient. (Fellows whose spouse or dependent child will accompany them may be eligible for a grant of $35,000.) In addition, the fellowship program will supply, as a supplement to the stipend, an amount equal to twelve-months' payment of eligible federally guaranteed and/or institutional student loans issued in the fellow's name. The purpose of the loan program is to help ease the financial burden of Watson Fellows during their fellowship year, and to provide encouragement for all students, regardless of student loan debt, to apply for Watson Fellowships."

Find out more here.

Air Force Academy Undergraduate Student Conference

"Each year the US Air Force Academy hosts and undergraduate student conference on a topic of contemporary political significance. The 49th Air Force Academy Assembly, Continent at a Crossroads: Prosperity, Justice and Security in South America, will take place February 6-9 2007.

Convened annually since 1959, The United States Air Force Academy Assembly is an undergraduate student conference sponsored jointly by the Air Force Academy and Columbia University's American Assembly. This student-run conference provides a unique opportunity for approximately 150 highly qualified undergraduates to discuss a topic of contemporary significance. Prominent academics, business leaders, government officers and non-governmental organization members serve as speakers and roundtable leaders. Students cap the four day conference with a written consensus report that reflects the conference's views. It is widely distributed to both academic and government institutions. The Assembly includes keynote and banquet presentations by national and international leaders in the year's topic area."

The conference does not cover transportation, lodging or the registration fee, but if you are interested in applying we'll work on funding toward that end. Deadline for registration is December 15, and we can send two delegates, so if you are interested let me know soon.

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John Ross

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Last week John Ross spoke on campus to students in Professor Share's Latin American Studies 100 course and later in the day to the few who were still on campus. Professor Share said that Ross' work on the Zapatistas is particularly fascinating and based on a great deal of time that Ross has spent with the Zapatistas themselves.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Radio Silence

I'll be signing off of the blog for a few days for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is a travel day for students, though many are already bugging out--I'll be interested in seeing how many I have in my afternoon classes.

I want to extend our department's wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you may be.

Security, the Persian Gulf, and Professor Weinberger's Blog

So very cool--Professor Weinberger has been invited by the Manama Dialogue to live-blog their upcoming summit in Bahrain:

The International Institute for Strategic Studies is hosting its Third Annual Regional Security Summit http://www.iiss.org/conferences/the-iiss-regional-security-summit This year, it has been renamed the Manama Dialogue and will take place in Bahrain from 8-10 December. In a new departure, we would like to invite you to become one of the first bloggers of the Manama Dialogue.

The Dialogue is the primary security institution in the Persian Gulf and will see the greatest ever involvement of the national security establishments of the region with key outside powers this year. As in previous years, the Dialogue will provide a unique forum for the discussion of the regional security challenges by the most senior authorities responsible for defence, foreign policy and security issues in the participating states.

The summit will be opened formally by the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Highness Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who will deliver the Keynote Address on Friday 8 December. On Saturday 9 December, the US National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley, will make a key statement on US security strategy in the Persian Gulf. Delegation leaders from the other participating countries will also deliver official policy statements throughout the course of the weekend. Plenary session subjects include: “The U.S. and Gulf Security,” “Regional Perceptions of Gulf Security,” “The Gulf and the East,” “Security Guarantees and Regional Stability,” “The Situation in Iraq,” “The Gulf and Europe,” and “Iran and Outside Powers.”

We look forward to following this on Security Dilemmas as it unfolds.

Civil Liberties and National Security Student Roundtable

Students on campus (including some of our majors) have created a libertarian themed club, the Liberty Defense Alliance. Their first event will be a roundtable talk with assistance from the local chapters of Students for a Democratic Society and NORML. The roundtable looks wide-ranging, dealing with a wide range of issues of national security and civil liberties. If you're interested in going, here are the details:

Thursday, 11/30, 6:00PM in WSC101

...there will of course be free snacks.

Monday, November 20, 2006

T-Shirts En Route

We gathered the funds and placed the order; our T-shirts will take a couple of days to print and a good week of shipping time. With Thanksgiving ahead of us I don't expect the shipment to arrive until early December.

And for those few who put in an order but didn't get your payment to us in time? Don't worry, we've got you covered--your shirts will be coming as well. When they are here you can come by the department and part with your hard-earned cash.

Christy Thomas '00: Brush with Greatness

This from Christy Thomas '00:

"I just discovered that the Congressman I interned with at UPS is now the Majority Whip. I spent the summer of 1998 in DC through an internship program and while the program wasn’t the best, the office I worked in was amazing. Congressman Clyburn focused most of his staff in the district, so the DC office had four full time staff members and four college interns. I highly recommend DC internships and choosing to work for someone outside your home state. I learned a lot about tobacco, transportation and race issues that summer."

Christy is currently Special Gift Officer at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Thanks for the note and the good word on the value of internships.

And Yet Another Congratulation...to Bill Haltom

A trifecta of triumphs! Professor Haltom was awarded a John Lantz Sabbatical Enhancement Award for 2007-08. While on sabbatical Professor Haltom will be persuing his project entitled "Culture Wars and Civil-Justice Reforms," which will look at how cultural conflict has affected debates over legal reform.

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Sunday, November 19, 2006

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Major?

There are some of our majors out there who are not yet declared. It may seem relatively unimportant, a bit of paperwork you can deal with later on; or you might feel the opposite, that selecting a major is an iron-clad agreement you're bound to.

Neither is true. For the department, knowing who our majors are helps us with communication, mentoring and networking; we can't help you if we don't know you. At the same time, should you decide down the road that a major other than PG is looking more attractive, it's rather easy to switch, and you won't hurt our feelings (much).

So if are planning on Politics and Government as your major or minor but haven't declared, think about doing so, or get in contact with me if you have questions.

Social Networks

Friday President Thomas and David Beers from university relations spoke to department heads. Among their discussion was the interesting news that the university is working on implementing social networking software that will more effectively integrate alums into our community. As it stands, there's really no easy way for alums to connect and stay connected through the university. I'm looking forward to see what they roll out and hope the departments will be brought into the act.

Congratulations Professor Ferrari!

More congratulations are in order. Professor Ferrari has been granted a Martin Nelson Summer Award for 2007. Professor Ferrari intends to use the award to finance field research in Africa, where she will be looking at the role of the Catholic Church as a political actor as it relates to women's issues. I'm envious--well done, Professor Ferrari!

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Saturday, November 18, 2006

Congratulations Professor Sherman!

Congrats to Professor Sherman who was awarded a Martin Nelson Junior Sabbatical Fellowship for Spring Semester 2008. Professor Sherman plans to finish his book, The Waste is a Terrible Thing to Mind, a study of the politics of low-level radioactive waste disposal. The book is based on Professor Sherman's doctoral dissertation, which won the 2005 American Political Science Association Virginia M. Walsh Dissertation Award for the best dissertation in the field of science, technology and environmental politics. Way to go, Professor Sherman!

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Friday, November 17, 2006

Global Institute for Leadership and Civic Development

An interesting variant on study abroad, especially for those who don't want to give up a whole semester.

Global Institute for Leadership and Civic Development


http://www.globalleaders.info/

Become a Global Leader and Study Abroad

Our programs are comprehensive in nature and incorporate all of the essential components: summer study abroad, academic courses, international participants, leadership training, and community service.

International Participants
Over the last seven years, we have trained hundreds of students from over 45 different countries. Each program typically includes student from 15-20 different countries. Surrounding yourself with students from around the world allows you the unique opportunity to learn not only about the host country but a diverse range of cultures. In this environment, you will learn the true meaning of global citizenship and your relationship to it.

Dynamic Instructors
Our instructors are hand picked for their expertise in their field, interactive teaching style, and international experience. In addition, most of our instructors work towards making systemic change. For example, Petra Hejnova, Coordinator and Instructor for the Prague program, is the former Director of the Gender Studies Center in Prague and has delivered reports to the United Nations regarding the status of women in the Czech Republic.

Commitment to Academic Excellence
An essential part of becoming a global citizen is gaining knowledge. We offer specially designed courses which focus on issues of global importance. Through each course, students are challenged to grapple with the significance, consequence, and relevance of course concepts not only to themselves but to the world around them.

Our courses are not lecture-style. Quite the contrary, they are highly interactive, utilizing experiential learning, guest lectures, and fieldtrips.

Community Service
During our programs, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the local community. These activities are not only rewarding, but allow you to put theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to practical use. Past projects include working with: Klicek Children's Hospice, Rolnicka School for the Disabled, and Veseli nad Luznici Flood Recovery Project.

Multiple Locations
While each program retains the same structure and philosophy, each has its own courses. This allows participants to attend multiple programs in exciting locations. Past participants from the Prague program have gone on to attend our programs in Bologna and Cuba.

Future Leadership Positions
Each summer, we promote past participants to become Student Coordinators. These internships allow participants to take their leadership skills to a new level. Past participants have even gone on to create their own programs! We are very proud of Vladimir Mladjenovic (Yugoslavia) and Luis Lopez (Mexico) who created and served as the Co-Directors for the 2004 Global Education Program in Cuba. Daniel Epstein (US/Canada) and Michael Forte (US)are also working on creating our first US program!

Aside from our leadership opportunities within our organization, several students have gained scholarships and entrance into other leading programs through letters of recommendation from our Instructors.

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John Ross Visits Campus Tuesday

This from Professor Share:

I’d appreciate it if you could add a piece on the blog about John Ross’ visit (4 p.m., Tuesday, SUB boardroom). Ross is considered one of the world’s leading experts on the Zapatista uprising in Southern Mexico. His latest book is entitled ZAPATISTAS - Making Another World Possible: Chronicles of Resistance 2000-2006. A description of that book follows:

"On New Year's Day 1994 a small group of Mayan peasants, led by a charismatic former University Professor, grabbed the attention of the world by taking over San Cristobel, the capitol of Chiapas, Mexico and proclaiming 'Basta!' to the prevailing orthodoxy of neo-liberal capitalism that was destroying the infrastructure of the peasant economy. Their cry was heard across the world and in the next decade the Zapatistas became a beacon of hope and a model to hundreds of thousands of activists across the world fighting globalization.

John Ross was there from the beginning, following the Zapatistas on their journey, to the extent that he has been nicknamed 'the Willy Loman of the Zapatistas.' His first book, Rebellion from the Roots was praised by Alma Guillermoprieto in the New York Review of the Books.

This book chronicles the last six years of the rebellion — a phase where the Zapatistas have been below the media radar in many respects, and a period where Ross argues that the Zapatistas have been 'Changing the World Without Taking Power.'

Part John Reed, part magic realist poet, Ross reveals the extraordinary events in Chiapas and explores the unique political experiment the Zapatistas have pioneered."

I’m attaching John Reed’s latest dispatch on Mexico, Oil, and the Halliburton connection for those who would like to get a sense of his outlook. I’m also attaching a piece on the Mexican elections written by Joseph Klesner, a political scientist from Kenyon College, and the forthcoming introduction to a special issue of PS on Mexico’s recent elections. Reed’s analysis represents the left, while Klesner’s reflects mainstream political science analysis.