GV PS

LAS 380 01 The ‘Indian Question’ in the Americas

LAS 380 01 The ‘Indian Question’ in the Americas

Dr. Andrew Schlewitz
Fall 2008
Tues./Thurs. 1-2:15 PM 1118 Au Sable Hall

The “Indian Question” haunted the young states of the 19th century Americas. Trying to consolidate control over territory, or expand that territory, and forge a national identity, North and South American governments confronted indigenous groups who resisted that control and identity. The “Indian Question” was, then, what to do about such resistance?

The answers varied—from exile and destruction to forced assimilation and accommodation. We will study these answers with a focus on the United States, Bolivia, Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. The intent of this course is not only to learn how these answers varied, but why. We will also think together about the ways these answers to the “Indian Question” shaped political development in the Americas, and what those answers bequeathed to later generations.

Course Goals: by the end of the course, students will
•be able to relate key similarities and differences among selected American states in terms of how they treated indigenous populations over the 19th and 20 centuries;
•know the varied ways by which indigenous peoples responded to state efforts to shape and control them;
•be familiar with different explanations of relationships between indigenous groups and states, for example, from early (though still existing) essentialist arguments, to competing cultural, economic, and institutional theories, on to interpretive or constructivist approaches;
•be prepared to weigh the merits of these explanations of why Indian-state relations in the Americas have varied;
•have added to their experience with using primary documents; and
•practice critical reading and writing skills, as well as collaborative research in the seminar format.

PLS 382 Offered Fall Semester

Contrary to what is stated in the catalog, we will offer PLS 382 Politics of Post-Communist Europe in the fall semester. In fall 2008 it meets T/Th 11:30-12:45.

Political Science Registration 2008

Dear political science student,

There are a few changes and news items regarding registration. Please read on for more information about:
1. registering for the capstone, and what to do if Banner won't let you register for a political science course
2. reminder for political science majors taking the B.S. cognate
3. new requirements for political science majors/minors who start at GVSU in catalog year 2008-09
4. new tenure-track political science professor to begin in fall
5. special topics courses

Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Richards
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science
richardm@gvsu.edu

1. Registering for the capstone, and what to do if Banner won't let you register for a political science course

Registration for the capstone is by permit only. Please email Political Science Departmental Coordinator Norene Hendricks (hendricn@gvsu.edu) and give her your name, and section of capstone you would like to take. Once your permit has been granted via Banner, you will notified via email; it is your responsibility to register for the course in Banner.

If Banner will not let you register for a course, you may not have met the pre-requisites. If you believe this is an error, please email Political Science Departmental Coordinator Norene Hendricks (hendricn@gvsu.edu) and give her your name, and the course number and section you would like to take, along with an explanation of why you believe you are eligible to register for the course. Once a decision has been made regarding whether to grant an override, you will notified via email; it is your responsibility to register for the course in Banner.

Closed class permits are granted only in extraordinary circumstances. If you are seeking a closed class permit, please contact Norene Hendricks as described above.

2. Reminder for political science majors taking the B.S. cognate
The B.S. cognate must be taken in the following order: 1. STA 215, 2. PLS 300, 3. PLS 315 or 341.

3. New requirements for political science majors/minors who start at GVSU in catalog year 2008-09
These requirements will only affect students starting at GVSU with the 2008-09 catalog year. If you started in an earlier year, your requirements have not changed.

4. New tenure-track political science professor to begin in fall

We have hired a new tenure track professor who will begin teaching in Fall 2008. Her name is Laura Schneider and she is currently completing her Ph.D. at Purdue University. Her areas of expertise are American politics, public policy, and environmental policy. Although her name is not yet listed on Banner, she will be teaching PLS 205 The Policy Process each semester , and the following sections of PLS 102: fall: 102-06 and 102-07; winter: 102-04, 102-06. Please join us in welcoming her to GVSU.

5. Special topics courses

We are offering two special topics course this year, both in the winter 2009 semester:
PLS 380 – 01 American Political Development, taught by Dr. Don Zinman. The course will meet MW 4:30-5:45 in 1143 AuSable.
PLS 380 – 02 State Policy meets Tuesday 6-8:50 in 2119 AuSable. This seminar will focus on current policy issues in Michigan.

Winter Registration

In order to help us plan and properly allocate faculty resources for the winter 2008 semester, we encourage you to register for your courses as soon as possible.

This winter we are offering a number of new courses, including some special topics courses. All of these are unique opportunities that we urge you to take advantage of.

****Winter '08 Special Topics Courses****
All of these courses count for the three courses at the 300-level requirement for PLS majors and minors.

PLS 380 - 01 COMPARATIVE POLITICS:
CHINESE LEGAL DEVELOPMENT
Tuesday/Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
2121 Au Sable Hall
Prerequisite: PLS 103 or junior standing
Yi Zhao, Ph.D.
Course counts for Comparative category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

China’s legal construction during the reform era has been described by an American scholar as the “largest such undertaking in world history.”

This course will consider the political and economic forces that have shaped the course of China’s legal development. It will explore issues that cut across the line between law and politics, issues that are becoming increasingly prominent: the politics of constitutional design, legislative and judicial politics, criminal justice and human rights, rule of law and economic development, and the politics of judicial review of government actions

PLS 380 - 02 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Poverty, Assets and the American Dream
Monday/Wednesday, 3-4:15 p.m.
2107 Au Sable Hall
No prerequisite
Michelle Miller-Adams, Ph.D.
Course counts for American category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

What does it mean to be poor in America?
What’s wrong with the way the U.S. government measures poverty?
Why have public policy strategies for addressing poverty generally failed?
What has the United States learned from the developing world about fighting poverty?
Why is poverty less of a problem in Europe?
What can be done about poverty?

PLS 380 - 03 POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Monday/Wednesday, 3-4:15 p.m.
122 Manitou Hall
Prerequisite: PLS 102 or junior standing
H. Whitt Kilburn, Ph.D.
Course counts for American category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

Why do presidential campaigns mostly fail to persuade voters? Do voters evaluate non-white or female candidates any differently from the usual white male? How do emotions influence political judgment and choice? Do good leaders share similar personalities? During crises, under what conditions do they make "rational" decisions?

We will study these questions and others in this inter-disciplinary course bridging the divide between political science, and personality and social pyschology. Our goal will be to learn not just about insights into politics from psychology, but also how political institutions affect the psyche.

****New Course Winter '08****

PLS 385 RUSSIAN AND POST-SOVIET POLITICS
MWF 10-10:50 a.m.
LSH 229
Heather Tafel, Ph.D.
Earn comparative politics credit (PLS majors & minors)
Earn PLS credit (IR majors & minors)
Earn elective credit (Russian Studies majors & minors)

Take this course and discover the following about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Caucasus and post-Soviet Central Asia:
What was communism, and why did it collapse?
Why has democracy largely failed to take root in this region?
How has “people power” influenced domestic politics?
How does the “resource curse” affect domestic politics?
What has been the process of economic transformation?
What about the European Union & the United States in the region?

A comparative empirical and theoretical analysis of government and politics in post-Soviet Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Central Asian republics. Topics include the collapse of communism, patterns of regime change, parties, elections, political economy, nationalism and ethnic conflict, social welfare policy, and foreign relations. Prerequisite: PLS 103 or junior standing.

****New Section Added Winter '08****
PLS 315 International Political Economy
W 6-8:50
ASH 1116
Michelle Miller-Adams, Ph.D.
Empirical analysis of the politics of international economic relations, including the impact of domestic and international political variables on international economic cooperation and conflict. Part of the department's B.S. cognate. Prerequisite: PLS 103 or 211 or ECO 210 or 211. Students taking the course as part of the B.S. cognate must also have completed STA 215 and SS 300.

Study Abroad Fair Wednesday, 10/17

Where is your classroom?
The GVSU Fall Study Abroad Fair is in Kirkhof 250, 10-4 on Wednesday, 10/17
Stop by for prizes, snacks and INFORMATION about Study Abroad!

There is information about GVSU and non-GVSU programs, study abroad and internships abroad, financial aid for study abroad, and more!

Did you know that more than 25 PLS and IR majors studied abroad in the summer of 2007? Come find out about the opportunities the internationalize your education.

Latin American Studies Minor

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES MINOR
Coordinator: Joel Stillerman, 2166 ASH, 616-331-3129

Latin American Studies offers a flexible, interdisciplinary minor that works well with many majors, including: Spanish, English, Liberal Studies, International Relations, Business and International Business, Anthropology, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, Nursing, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Why minor in LAS? What kind of knowledge and training will help my career?
Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States.
Latin American countries are major trading partners with the US and Michigan.
To understand U.S. history and foreign policy, you need knowledge of Latin America.
Knowledge of Spanish is now necessary for key jobs in the human services, criminal justice, healthcare, business, government, hospitality and international work.
LAS promotes direct knowledge of Latin America through study abroad or internships.
The program sponsors a rich variety of academic and artistic events on campus.
LAS supports a career working with Latin Americans or with Latinos in the U.S.
The program fosters involvement with Latino student groups as well as local Latino businesses and social service agencies, helping build experience and contacts.

The minor consists of 21 credit hours, including:
A three course core:
a. LAS 210 Exploring Latin America
b. LAS 374 Revolution in the Americas
c. Spanish 202 Intermediate Spanish II or higher (or equivalent knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese).
2) Four electives selected in consultation with an LAS faculty advisor (listed below). Eligible courses focus on Latin America as well as Latinos in the U.S.

How can I get started?
Check out our website: www.gvsu.edu/las
Register for the LAS 210 course for the 07-08 academic year.
Satisfy your General Education credits, including Cultural Emphasis and Theme “Continuity and Change in the Americas” (formerly “Revolution and Evolution in the Americas”).
Consult faculty advisors from across campus to plan your courses:
Joel Stillerman (SOC, Coordinator); Russell Rhoads, Cindy Hull (ANT); Gabriela Pozzi, Yvette Fuentes, Khedija Gadhoum, Zulema Moret, Keith Watts, Michael Vrooman (SPA); Jim Penn (GPY); David Stark, Cliff Welch (HST)
Contact the Padnos International Center (PIC) about study abroad in Latin America.
Pick up an LAS Minor brochure at the Area Studies Center, 117 LOH.
Leave your name, address, and phone number with Barb Blankemeier, Office Coordinator, Area Studies Center, 616 331-8110, email: blankemb@gvsu.edu

Law School Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation

Law School Applications:
Obtaining Letters of Recommendation and Writing the Personal Statement
Outline of Remarks
Dr. Mark Richards, GVSU Pre-law Advisor
February 1, 2007

Letters of Recommendation

1. Usually at least two letters should be from professors.

2. Best to get letters from professors who know you and can speak to your qualifications. Take more than one class from a professor and cultivate the student-professor relationship.

3. The LSDAS website contains a form for your letter writers. Print out a copy for each reference, sign it, and give it to him/her. You should get everything to your reference at least several weeks in advance.

4. Provide your letter writers with the following:
-a signed copy of the LSDAS recommendation form
-a resume
-a copy of the personal statement
-a stamped envelope addressed to LSDAS
-a list of courses that you have taken with the professor, with your grade and the semester you took the course
-a deadline

5. How to write the letter
Schools desire to know how long the reference has known the applicant, the context of their relationship, how well the reference knows the applicant, and relevant information about the applicant's characteristics and achievements. Detailed examples are helpful.

Personal Statements

1. Overcome writer's block.

2. Circulate and iterate.

3. Be professional, formal, truthful and courteous. Exhibit the personal characteristics that clients would want to see in their attorneys.

4. Answer the question(s). Tailor the statement to the school.

5. Don't take the "personal" in "personal statement" too far.

6. Write carefully and precisely when dealing with subjects like religion, politics and race.

7. Be aware that there is contradictory information available about what is the best type of letter. Keep in mind context and your own sense of what is right for you.

8. Avoid the laundry list of accomplishments.

9. Possible types (themes) of personal statements:
-Overcoming difficult circumstances.
-Diversity. Diversity is diverse, so think creatively. Both intellectual and experiential diversity matter.
-Focus primarily on a single event, experience or story. Think about work experience, travel, study abroad, important personal experiences, or how you dealt with a difficult situation. One story can say much about your personal characteristics.
-Why I want a law degree. Some people will counsel that you should not do this but if you have a sophisticated understanding, this can be an effective letter.
-Academic reflections on an aspect of law. Connect your major field or other subjects you have studied to the law.

10. Keep in mind that a competent, well-written statement that does not blunder can be good enough to get you accepted. You do not need to write the best letter ever.

Confessions of Young Alumni

The Future Alumni Association is hosting Confessions of Young Alumni: What Helped Them Survive the Real World on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 p.m. at the Alumni House. Alums who have graduated in the last 5 years will come together for this panel discussion to talk about how their experiences at Grand Valley helped them break into the professional world and to succeed there. They will share tips on what students can do for their careers right now, what stands out on a resume or in an interview, and what they wish they would have done in school to get ahead. Those who wish to participate should RSVP to alumni@gvsu.edu.

Career Strategies for Political Science and International Relations

Here are a couple of helpful career strategy charts for political science and international relations majors from Career Services at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The charts, in pdf format, contain columns for areas of jobs, employers, and corresponding strategies.

For PLS majors

For IR majors

Month in review

We have been around for about a month now, which we hear is a really long time measured by Internet time. So why not a month in review post to catch you up on all the excitement you may have missed while vacationing?

Events and Opportunities
Our fabulous social networking volunteer opportunity featuring drag racing
Constitution Day panel on immigration and Who is an American?
The political science honor society

Internships
Some thoughtful advice from Dr. den Dulk about careers in PLS/IR
Paying for internships
Latest internship information

Students and Alumni
Discover the stories of our students and alumni, including:
Erion Veliaj
Sam Moore
Jenny Ventimiglia
Our students at UM Law
David Johnson
A quick list of alumni updates

Faculty Profiles
Kevin den Dulk
Mark Richards

Pre-Law
How to target the right law schools
Differences in how GVSU and LSAC calculate your GPA
About the pre-law category
From the Law Society President