Best Undergraduate Student Papers:
(1st, 2nd and 3d places)
Maya Soble, University of Michigan – Decline, Destitution and the Transition to Democracy: A Comparative Perspective
on Building Democracies in West Africa.
Arun Venkataraman, The University of Texas at Austin – Islam and Democracy: A Tocquevillian Approach.
Anjali Mohan, University of Texas – Liberating Women in Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
Best Graduate Student Papers:
(1st, 2nd and 3d places)
Pierre-Luc Dostie Proulx, Northwestern University – American Citizenship and Minority Rights.
Mark Tallman, Illinois State University -Patriotism, or Bread and Circuses? A Brief Discussion of the September-
October 2001 Rally 'Round the Flag Effect.
Paula Orlando, Illinois State University – HIV/AIDS and the Human Rights of Women in Zambia
Participating Colleges and Universities:
American University in Cairo, Beloit College, Brigham Young University, Drexel University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, John Carroll University, LaGrange College, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Northeastern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Saint Louis University, Southern Illinois, St. Michael's College, Suffolk University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Chicago, University of Florida, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Texas, Wake Forest, Washburn University
Chair: Mary Gardiner, Illinois State University
Discussant: Khalid Madhi, Northeastern Illinois University
Kathy Elrick, Illinois State University -Clinton's 1992 Speeches: Role of Jeremiad Rhetoric and Puritan Frames.
Mark Tallman, Illinois State University -Patriotism, or Bread and Circuses? A Brief Discussion of the September-October 2001 Rally 'Round the Flag Effect.
Tim Taylor, Brigham Young University – Squandered Opportunities: Theoretical Approaches to 2002 and 2004 Elections in Utah’s Second Congressional District.
Elisabeth Toecker, Saint Louis University – The Military Commissions Act of 2006: A Post-Structural Analysis
Chair: Barry Tolchin, Illinois State University
Tanya R. Austin, Illinois State University – Dividing the Land, Dividing the People: The Impact of the Wall.
Paula Orlando, Illinois State University – HIV/AIDS and the Human Rights of Women in Zambia
Vanda Rajcan, Illinois State University – The Unheard Voice: Involuntary sterlization of Roma Women in former Czechoslovakia
Rachel Vincent Illinois State University – What Happened to Us? South Africa and Its Struggle for Human Rights.
Chair: Elisabeth Toecker, Saint Louis University
Anjali Mohan University of Texas – Liberating Women in Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
Jason Spore, Illinois State University – The Convergence of Neoconservative Ideology and American Foreign Policy.
Isha Pant, Beloit College – Kautilya as a Dissenter
Chair: Jake Diliberto, Illinois State University
Rwitwika Bhattacharya, Wake Forest – Suffering in the Field: A Case Study of the Impact of WTO Policies on Indian Agriculture
Gabrielle Calmy, Beloit College – Israel: The Practicality of Ever Seeking Consensus.
Megan Leigh, John Carroll University – Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy Towards the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War.
David Nordsieck, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana – The Pak-Afghan Rivalry: Origin, Development, and Changing Dynamics.
Chair: Mark Tallman, Illinois State University
Abisola Adekoya, Illinois State University – The Conflict Within: The Struggle for Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tyler Alfermann, University of Chicago – Hugo Chavez: Authoritarianism in Venezuela?
Dennis Hoppe, Southern Illinois University – Levels of Analysis and the Coup Attempt in Equatorial Guinea.
Tanya Basu, University of Illinois-Chicago – One Big Family on the Highest Hill: A Comparative Political/Economic Glance at the Dual Aspects of Africa.
Chair: Jennifer Kanik, Illinois State University
Anand Shastri, University of Illinois Chicago – The Relationship Between Partisan Realignments & the Agenda
Bradley Jones, Brigham Young University – The National Association of REALTORS: Interest Group Theories Applied to Mobilization, Contribution Behavior, and Issue Advocacy.
Chair: Micheal Bottomly, Illinois State University
Khalid Madhi, Northeastern Illinois University – Spirituality and Democratization: The Role of Jama`at al-`Adl Wal Ihssan in Democratizing the Moroccan Society
Meredith Dahms, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana – How does Dependency Affect Democracy?
Maya Soble, University of Michigan – Decline, Destitution and the Transition to Democracy: A Comparative Perspective on Building Democracies in West Africa.
Arun Venkataraman, The University of Texas at Austin – Islam and Democracy: A Tocquevillian Approach.
Chair: Matt Schwab, Illinois State University
Janan Delgado, American University in Cairo --Religiosity and Political Attitudes: Results from Survey Research among Elite Students in Egypt
Ryan M. Galloway, Eastern Illinois University – Clash of Civilizations?
Ryan Robinson, Washburn University – Federal versus Confederal Constructs in Political Systems.
Rachel C. Samples, LaGrange College – Does the Institution Affect Relationships Between Competition and Voter Turnout?
Chair: Kathy Elrick, Illinois State University
Anthon DiMaggio, University of Illinois Chicago – Time for a Living Wage?: The San Francisco Model as a Challenge to the “Inevitability’ of Low-Wage Employment.
Pierre-Luc Dostie Proulx, Northwestern University – American Citizenship and Minority Rights.
Anand Shastri, University of Illinois Chicago – The Negative Impact of Race on Fighting Poverty, and How to Overcome It.
Rachel Yff, University of Florida – Biracial, Multiethnic Coalitions: A Case Study of David Dinkins and New York City.
Chair: Elise Melrose, Illinois State University
Alexandru Rusu, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration – SNSPA Burcharest Romania – Lobby in the European Union. Institutional Framework Methods of Access and Techniques of Influence
Carrie Taylor, Drexel University – Combating Terrorism in the European Union: Effectiveness and Legitimacy in Regional State.
Khalid Madhi, Northeastern Illinois University – Muslims in The Twenty-First Century America: The Role of Religion in Shaping a Community’s Political Behavior
Reception: 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(Founders Suite)