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Gary Klass, associate professor of politics and government, has recently published a new book, Just Plain 
Data Analysis. The book is designed to teach students statistical literacy skills that they can use to evaluate and construct arguments about public affairs issues grounded in numerical evidence.
This year, the ISU delegation will represent Switzerland. Ten students will simulate the role of Swiss delegates on seven different committees. Each student has researched Switzerland’s position on three economic, social, humanitarian or security issues that will be debated in his/her assigned committee at the Model UN Conference this year. These issues include the promotion of alternate sources of energy, combating the spread of illicit drugs, protecting water resources in a changing world, and the external debt crisis.
Michael J. Walsh, ISU Politics & Government alumnus,wiill be the keynote speaker at ISU's Earth Day celebrations this year. Dr. Walsh is Executive Vice President of the Chicago Climate Exchange and will be speaking at 6:30 pm, Thursday, April 17 in the activity room of the Bowling and Billiards Center. The presentation is free and open to the public. You can learn more at www.ilstu.edu/~tbierma/earthday/speaker.htm.
Bernard Ivan Tamas is publishing a new book entitled From Dissident to Party Politics: The Struggle For Democracy in Post-Communist Hungary: 1989-1994, East European Monographs, Columbia University Press. This book explores a central issue of democratization, party formation, from a unique angle. The book argues that party politics requires a particular set of competencies that are best developed over a career by professional party politicians. During a democratic transition, dissidents often build parties rapidly, and since they rarely have a background in party politics, they tend to make serious strategic mistakes that can undermine their credibility and lead to the country's previous elite quickly regaining power. The book demonstrates how the lack of party experience by Hungarian dissidents after the fall of the Berlin Wall led directly to the Hungarian Socialist Party quickly regaining power.
Michael Franz, a 1980 department graduate, has been awarded the Alpha Sigma Nu teaching award at Loyola of Baltimore. Franz, who teaches political science after earning his PhD from Loyola University of Chicago, will be the only faculty member honored this year and will be addressing the entire university community. The award was announced as last component of the college's largest annual celebration, which took place recently.
Mark Tallman, department graduate, has received an offer of admission with full funding and an instructorship from the doctoral program at University of Illinois at Chicago. If he accepts, Tallman will begin his doctoral studies in the fall of 2008, specializing in International Relations with a concentration in International Security. Tallman is currrently waiting for confirmation on competing offers.
Professor Ali Riaz delivered the Center for South Asian Studies Scholarly Lecture at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor on March 14th 2008. His talk was entitled “Democracy in Bangladesh: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back”.
Professor Kam Shapiro gave an invited talk at the Minnesota International Relations Colloquium (MIRC) at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis on March 10th. The talk was entitled: "Irregular Hostilities: Carl Schmitt and the Territories of Global Politics."
Amentahru Wahlrab wins a Professor Appreciation Week Award. The PAW Award is organized by the members of Student Education Association to recognize professors at Illinois State who go above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations were held in which any member of the student body could write a nomination for a great professor that they have had at Illinois State University. Each of the over 150 nominations were read by the PAW committee and 16 faculty members were chosen as winners.
Organized by the Alumni Relations Committee of the Department of Politics and Government, about 30 alums and family members gathered at the Scholarship suite of the Redbird Arena on February 13, 2008 to cheer for ISU men's basketball team against the Missouri State. Ms. Linda Bowman, State Representative Dan Brady and Trustee Betty Kinser also attended the event. More alum events will be held in the future. Contact: T.Y. Wang (tywang@ilstu.edu), Associate Chair of the Department.
Political Science alums and family members cheer for ISU men's basketball team |
From left: Trustee Betty Kinser, Judge Michael McCuskey and State Representative Dan Brady |
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Ghrist cheer on the Redbirds |
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Dr. Ali Riaz (left) chats with Ms. Staci Plumleigh and Mr. Michael Plumleigh |
Kathy Eimermann chats with Judy and Marc Loro |
The Scholarship Suite at Redbird Arena provides foods and drinks |
Dr. Robert Bradley (left) chats with Jeff Charnogonsky (center) and Robert Freitag (right) |
Dr. Ali Riaz is the “celebrity sweeper” of the game |
Ali Riaz, Department Chair of Politics and Government, has authored Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh: A Complex Web. The focus of the book is the relevance, significance and trajectories of militant Islamist groups in Bangladesh. It explores the complex web of domestic, regional and international events and dynamics that have both engendered and strengthened Islamist militancy in Bangladesh. The following is a link to the information of the book published by Routledge publisher: http://www.routledgeasianstudies.com/books/Islamist-Militancy-in-Bangladesh-isbn9780415451727.
Professor Julie Webber signed her books at the 2nd Annual AAUW-BN Women Book Authors' Forum and Book Signing on 9 November 2007(5 - 6:30 pm). The forum was held at Barnes & Noble's Bookstore on East Empire at Bloomington. The Bloomington-Normal Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) selects area women authors for this event whose book topics reflect women's issues, cultural diversity, and/or research in the disciplines. Two other local authors joined Webber for a preceding panel discussion.
Four political science alumni were invited by the Office of Student Affairs to speak at Student Affairs Leadership Panel, Fri., Oct. 12. From L to R: Jon Omahen (1984), Larry Williams (1977), Jeff Charnogorsky (1985) and Jason Barickman (1998) (Photo credit: Deborah J. Fox).
Political science alumni at Homecoming Luncheon with ISU faculty and staff, Fri., Oct. 12. Front row (left to right): Ali Riaz (Department Chair), Larry Williams (1977), Steve Adams (V.P. of Student Affairs). Back row (left to right): David M. Bentlin (Student Affairs), Yvonne Pena (Student Affairs), Jon Omahen (1984), T.Y. Wang (Department Associate Chair). (Photo credit: Lyndsie Schlink).
Tailgating at Homecoming, Saturday, October 13: Dr. Robert and Reenie Bradley
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Congressman Jerry Weller (R-IL-11th) |
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) |
AboveLeft: Rep. Weller and Right: Senators Durbin and Obama with ISU student intern Tyler Clark. This summer, Tyler completed an internship for the bipartisan lobbying firm, Winning Strategies Washington, through the Washington Center, Washington, D.C. Through the program he had the opportunity to hear Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Frank Fahrenkopf (co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates), Mike McCurry (President Clinton’s press secretary during the Lewinsky scandal), and other stellar speakers. Located in the Chinatown district, Tyler’s duties included conducting research for clients, attending congressional hearings, and day-to-day office operation. Tyler stated “I had the opportunity to live the dream of anyone interested in politics. I had a great work experience, a vibrant social life, access to speaker events, and superb networking opportunities. I would encourage anyone who has the ability to go to Washington, D.C. to not pass it up. It is truly a remarkable city and has opportunities for advancement that outstrip anywhere else in the world.” Due to his experiences Tyler has been invited to become a member of the Planning Committee for the University for the Washington Experience program.
Brad Melzer spent the summer in Washington, D.C. interning with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), through the Washington Center. One of his first tasks was to set up meetings with Senators to discuss the organization's support of the immigration bill. Successfully setting up 13 meetings in one day, Brad was given the chance to join the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the USHCC in these meetings. His other duties included monitoring Congressional actions, setting up meetings on the Hill, arranging meetings with coalitions of similar interests, writing letters to Congressional Offices, and even writing a few policy papers on behalf of the organization. The USHCC recognized his efforts and requested that he join the group's members this fall in Puerto Rico for a week during its International Business Convention and Expo. Brad described his internship experiences by stating " overall, I feel that my experience in Washington, D.C. was a once and a life-time opportunity to not only network for future employment, but has fostered my motivation to have a lifetime of being politically and civically engaged."
Professor Ali Riaz spoke on the current political situation in Bangladesh on 28 September at the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. The speakers of the panel titled “Bangladesh: Democracy at a Crossroads” included John Gastright, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Ambassador Wali-Ur Rahman and Major General Muniruzzaman from Bangladesh. Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) delivered the keynote remarks.
Professor Manfred Steger, formerly of Illinois State and now Professor of Global Studies and Academic Director of the Globalism Institute at RMIT University in Australia, spoke to a full house at this year’s Hibbert R. Roberts Lecture in Public Policy. The lecture took place on September 4th, 2007, at 7:00 pm in the Old Main Room, Bone Student Center. The topic was based on Dr. Steger's forthcoming book and was entitled, "The Rise of the Global Imaginary: Modern Political Ideologies in Transformation."
Below left: Professor Steger's lecture (photo by Alex Reside, Daily Vidette); Below right: President Bowman with Drs. Riaz, Eimermann, and Wang; President Bowman with Dr. Steger.
Dr. Robert Bradley has been designated as a Carnegie Foundation/AASCU
(American Association of State Colleges and Universities) Political
Engagement Scholar for the next two academic years, starting September 1,
2007. According to the letter from the Carnegie Foundation announcing the
award, the designation was based "on a careful review of his extraordinary
contributions in educating students for political engagement, in scholarly
work about education for political engagement, and in promoting a campus
climate where political learning is understood and accepted as central to
the mission of his university."
Dr. T.Y. Wang, Department of Politics and Government, was recently invited by Jilin University, China, to conduct a workshop on quantitative analysis in political science. He also spoke at the University’s Forum of Distinguished Scholars on “the Scientific Approach of the Contemporary Comparative Political Studies.” In addition to the speech engagements at Jilin University, Dr. Wang was also invited by Beijing Normal University to speak on “American Responses to China’s Emergence.” The talk was based on an introductory chapter of an edited volume by Dr. Wang, which is forthcoming in the Spring of 2008. 
Left: Dr. Wang speaking on “the Scientific Approach of the Contemporary Comparative Political Studies” to faculty and students at Jilin University
Left: Dr. Wang conducting a workshop on quantitative analysis in political science at Jilin University; Below: Dr. Wang meeting with Dean Zhou Guanghui (left) and Prof. Wang Ying (right), the College of Public Administration, Jilin University
Dr. Ali Riaz is to be congratulated on the release of his newest book: PARADISE LOST? State Failure in Nepal. For more from the publisher, click here.
Distinguished Professor Richard Payne appeared on a televised documentary about Alexander Hamilton. Dr. Payne has recently completed a manuscript on Hamilton, and was sought out by PBS for his expertise in 2006.
The two-hour PBS documentary aired May 14. For some short clips, follow the links below:
http://www.tpt.org/NPD/hamilton/hamilton_preview_4min.html http://www.tpt.org/NPD/hamilton/hamilton_legacy.html
http://www.tpt.org/NPD/hamilton/hamilton_jefferson.html
http://www.tpt.org/NPD/hamilton/hamilton_tease.html
Department faculty to Middle Eastern country promoting academic exchanges
March 9-15 2007, a delegation consisting of Dr. Jamal Nassar, Dr. Momar Ndiaye, and Dr. T.Y. Wang, visited several academic institutions in Jordan, Israel and Palestine, including University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, School of Nursing at Nazareth, Israel, and Birzeit University in Palestine. Memorandums of Understanding were signed and the Department of Politics and Government and the Office of International Studies and Program are currently working on formal exchange agreements between ISU and these academic institutions.
Left: Dr. Wang, President Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti of University of Jordan, Dr. Nassar, and Dr. Ndiaye; Right: Main gate of University of Jordan
Below left: President Wajih M. Owais of Jordan University of Science and Technology and Dr. Ndiaye; Below right: Dr. Ndiaye, Dr. Nassar, Vice President Abdullatif Abu Hijleh, and President Nabeel Kassis of Birzeit University in Palestine, signing the MOU
DR. JAMAL NASSAR, Chair of the Department and Professor of Politics and Government, is retiring and will be giving a special talk for students and anyone else who like to attend. The title of the seminar is" Road to Excellence:My 29 Years at ISU." More information can be found on the attached flyer.
DR. ALI RIAZ, Department of Politics and Government, spoke recently at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. His talk,"Bangladesh's Barometer: Impending National Elections Amidst Political Conflict and Rising Islamism," focused on the rising Islamist militancy in Bangladesh. Riaz's scholarly work on Islamic militancy in Bangladesh bears directly on international issues concerning Islamic countries and their role in the world. Bangladesh is the third-largest Muslim country in the world and has been a practicing democracy since 1991. Riaz warns that Bangladesh is currently experiencing a crisis of governance. Political activists from various parties are attempting to influence the elections through violence and rioting. "I am proud of Professor Riaz, as his work clearly ties theory to practice," said Dr. Jamal Nassar, Chair of the Department of Politics and Government. This is the ultimate accomplishment of a successful political scientist." "Ideally, there should be a connection between academic research and policy making," said Riaz."I appreciate the fact that Illinois State University has been supportive of my efforts to serve as a link between the two." Riaz is the author of several publications about Bangladesh, including God Willing: The Politics of Islamism in Bangladesh and Unfolding State: The Transformation of Bangladesh. His next book, Paradise Lost? State Failure in Nepal, will be published in May 2007.
LANE CROTHERS, Professor of Politics and Government, has authored Globalization and American Popular Culture. The focus of the book is how American movies, music, and television programs attract interest to United States politics and culture in the context of globalization, and in reverse, how these products inspire fear of and concern about the ways the United States might dominate world cultureleading to a generic, hyper-consumer world culture. "We export more music, television, and movies than weapons and wheat," remarked Dr. Crothers. "They are our number one export." In specifying what is popular culture, Crothers examines products like movies, music, and television programs that are created for mass audiences, often using industrial, large-scale production methods. "I am proud of Professor Crothers for this very important contribution to the literature on Globalization," said Jamal Nassar, Chair of the Department of Politics and Government at ISU. "His new book fills a gap in the literature and helps keep Illinois State as a leader in scholarship on the subject."
