Political Science News

Prerequisites for most political science courses have recently been made less burdensome than stated in the USM Undergraduate Catalog.  Nonmajors are welcome in political science courses.  If it looks interesting, check it out and ask the instructor if you should sign up.

Specials for the Millennium (Spring)

The Great State of Maine has the most competitive politics in the United States, has been the nation's leader in environmental protection and campaign finance reform, and has repeatedly elected women and independents to high political office.  Find out why in POS 120 Government & Politics of Maine, offered by Associate Professor Bill Coogan, MW 1:00-2:15PM.  Meets American Political System area requirement for majors; nonmajors welcome.  Seldom seen except in summer.  No prerequisites, 3 credits.
 

NEW COURSE:  Are American political institutions representative?  How does the political situation of marginalized ethnic communities reflect that representativeness?  These questions, so central to the study of American government, are examined by Assistant Professor Ronald Schmidt, Jr. in POS 299 The Politics of Race and Ethnicity, T 7:00-9:30 PM.  Meets American Political System area requirement for majors; nonmajors welcome. No prerequisites, 3 credits.

Why does the total national debt currently exceed $5 trillion?  Why has it been almost 30 years since the last time we saw a balanced budget for the national government?  Why is there more politics than money in budgeting? These questions will be addressed in POS 362 Budgets and Politics, a comparative examination of national, state and municipal budgetary processes, TTH 11:30-12:45PM.  Meets Public Administration & Public Policy area requirement for majors; nonmajors welcome.  No prerequisites, 3 credits.

NEW COURSE:  How the religious sphere of life has interacted with the public/political sphere, will be examined by Associate Professor James Roberts in POS 399 Religion, the State & Politics, comparing Christianity with Islam from early times to the present.  Development of the relationship between the realm of the sacred and the realm of everyday (the secular) will be explored, with treatment of disputes over slavery, Darwinian evolution, and abortion.  MW 2:30-3:45PM.  Meets Political Theory area requirement for majors; nonmajors welcome.  No prerequisites, 3 credits.

In POS 488 Global & International Theory, Assistant Professor Lynn Kuzma will focus discussion on theoretical aspects of international relations, world processes and problems, with some treatment of contemporary international politics.  Topics include human nature, gender, war, the state, the international system, imperialism, dependency and development.  TTH 5:30-6:45 PM.  Meets International Politics area requirement for majors; International Studies majors welcome.  3 credits.

REMINDER- Advance registration begins on November 8, 1999.   Please meet with your advisor and plan to register early this semester to avoid any Year 2000 transition dilemmas!

Cool New Courses for Summer 2000

POS 199 Lying and Politics:  Explores the uses and abuses of lying, tracing the danger lies pose to political life and why they may sometimes be necessary.  Does politics require truthfulness from all actors?  Do political actors need to be able to deceive in order to form coalitions, organize citizens, and imagine alternatives to the status quo? Must political actors choose between the politics of virtue and the pragmatic politics of lying?  These questions will be considered in political theory and specific case studies of deception and propaganda in American politics.  Meets Political Theory area requirement for Political Science majors; all majors and nonmajors welcome.  No prerequisites, 3 credits.  Schmidt, Session 1 (A), TTH, 4:00-6:40PM.
 

Students to Attend Model UN

Assistant Professor Lynn Kuzma will travel with sixteen students to the 1999 Model United Nations National Conference.  The students are currently enrolled in POS 389 International Law and Organizations.  The Model UN will be held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, November 11-14, 1999, and will provide a special opportunity for USM students to participate in a conference addressing current global issues with other bright minds from across the nation.

At the conference, USM students will represent Singapore and Cambodia on seven different committees.  Among the committees are those simulating the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Disarmament and International Security Committee.  Students will debate issues in question, pass resolutions, and formulate policy in a simulation of the UN General Assembly.  We wish our students the best of luck!

Important Advising Note

Prospective employers, graduate and professional (e.g., law) schools often compare transcripts to see whether students have taken many upper-level courses or have cruised through their undergraduate education with only lower-level courses.  They understand that courses at the 300 and 400 levels generally contain more sophisticated content and demonstrate greater achievement than 100 or 200 level courses.  Students should be aware that a greater proportion of higher numbered courses will indicate a more challenging program of undergraduate studies to readers of transcripts, and a greater level of accomplishment and competence.

A start-up budget for the Political Science Student Association was approved by the Board of Student Organizations in October.  PSSA is a good opportunity for students to participate in a student group that is interested in issues surrounding government and politics in America and throughout the world.  Come help us figure out what we want to do this year.  We must select a student representative to participate in department faculty meetings.

PSSA offers a great opportunity to get involved on campus and further connections with your colleagues in the department.  If you are interested in helping out, call Heather Monroe at 874-6594 in Portland for details. The PSSA will be advertising for its first meeting later in November!  Check it out!

Where Are They Now???

Jolene Chonko, '99, is a Staff Assistant with Congressman Tom Allen in Washington, D.C.

Gregory Files, '94, received a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law, and has been admitted to the Maine Bar Association.

The Reverend Ronald F. Messer, '72, is a minister at the United Methodist Church in Eliot, Maine.  Messer graduated from Boston University School of Theology in 1976 with a Minister of Divinity and is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Andover Newton School of Theology.

Randy J. Creswell, '95, graduated in 1997 from the Quinnipac College School of Law. Creswell served as a law clerk in the Connecticut Superior Court, responsible for the judicial district of New Britain, and is now serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Gene Carter of the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

Stephen C. Jordan, '94, graduated from the University of Maine School of Law in 1997.  He has a joined the Corporate Law Practice Group of a law practice in Manchester, New Hampshire.
 

Professor Maiman on Sabbatical

As the new year gets underway, Professor Richard Maiman will take leave on sabbatical.  Dr. Maiman will be a Visiting Fellow at the Human Rights Center of the University of Essex in England.  Dr. Maiman will return to USM for the Summer 2000 term.

* Carol Call:  Portland Partnership

* Cynthia Campbell:  Secretary of State, Maine Department of Motor Vehicles

* Jolene Chonko:  U.S. Representative John Baldacci, Washington, D.C.

* Jennifer Clough:  Volunteer Lawyers Project

* Potitsa Douzepis:  U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, Portland

* Kendra Hubbard:  U.S. Representative Tom Allen, in Portland

* Courtney Keene;  U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Portland

* Christian Matzke:  U.S. Representative Tom Allen, Portland

* Denis Melyantsev:  Maine International Trade Center

* Peter Rockwood:  World Affairs Council of Maine

* Gail Soule:  U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, Biddeford

* Susannah Sprague:  Maine Civil Liberties Union

* Robert Toothaker:  Freeport Economic Development Corporation

* Martha Trombley:  Maine Women's Lobby