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2003 ICSPS Conference Paper Awards

Undergraduate: (1st, 2nd, 3d places)

Nichole Benolken, Depaul University

James Melton, Illinos Wesleyan

Megan Volpert, Illinois State

Graduate: (1st, 2nd, 3d places)

Zachary Callen, Illinois State

Amentahru Wahlrab, Denver

Scott LaDeur, Western Illinois

11th Annual Illinois Conference For Students Of Political Science - April 10, 2003

Session 1   –  9:45 a. m. - 11:15 a. m.

Panel 1-A:  Globalization and Political Reform

Chair: Kathleen Sosa, Illinois State University

  • Nichole Benolken, DePaul University – "Public Support for the European Union among Countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Rethinking Accepted Theories"
  • Zachary Callen, Illinois State University – "Reinvigorating Democracy: The Role of Associations in Global Cities"
  • Michael Daniels, Trinity University – " Foreign Policy and European Identity: An Analysis of European Politics in the Late 20th Century"
  • Reyna Wilkins, Western Illinois University – "France & Japan: Two Conflicting Views on Genetically Modified Organisms"
  • Discussant:  Ken Panfilio, Illinois State University

Panel 1-B:  Politics of Gender

Chair:  Ashleigh McKeigue, Illinois State University

  • Adam Burling, Illinois State University – "Historical Overview of Women in the United States Senate"
  • Barbara Figari, Illinois State University — " The Battle of Nature versus Nurture—The Feminist Author's Perspective"
  • Katherine Hamilton, DePaul University – " Relationship Between Gender and Legislative Activity: Are Women Legislating for Women in 2003?"
  • Megan Volpert, Illinois State University – "See No (Tranie)/ Hear No (Tranie)/ Speak No (Tranie): An Overview of the Lessons and Applications of Transgender Caselaw"
  • Discussant:  Colleen Tierney, Illinois State University

Panel 1-C:  Challenges to Post-Communist States

Chair:  Jeri Anne Hose, Illinois State University 

  • Adina Green, Eastern Illinois University — "Democratization of Post-Communist Countries"
  • James Melton, Illinois Wesleyan University — " The Importance of Mass Culture for Democratization"
  • Michael Rudy, Eastern Illinois University — " NATO Expansion and the Prague Conference"
  • Allison West, Eastern Illinois University — "The European Union and its Role in Post-Communist Eastern and Central Europe" 
  • Discussant:  Tiffany Houchin, Benedictine University

Keynote Speaker

Ed Yohnka - Communications Director, American Civil Liberties Union Illinois
"Who are We? American Values in an Age of International Terrorism"

Session 2   -  1:30 p. m. - 3:00 p. m.

Panel 2-A:  Alternative Interpretations of the War on Terrorism

Chair: Rich Owen, Illinois State University

  • Sasha Breger, University of Denver — " State Violence or World Peace: Critical Reflections on the State after September 11"
  • Isaac Kamola, University of Minnesota — " Terrorism as Tactic--Terrorism as Identity"
  • Khalil Marrar, Loyola University, Chicago — " The Death of America, the Birth of a Sovereign? Hobbes and the War on Terrorism After 9/11"
  • Amentahru Wahlrab, Graduate School of International Studies University of Denver — " Realism, Security, and Democracy: A 'Sophisticated' Realist Critique of the War on Terrorism"
  • Discussant:  Ryan Canney, Illinois State University

Panel 2-B:  Politics of Diversity

Chair:  Tim Laskowski, Illinois State University

  • Jude Geiger, Illinois State University — " Bush v. Gore 2000: Some Explanations"
  • Ginnie McKnight, DePaul University — " Title IX Athletics Under Scrutiny: Black Women an Unsuspected Class"
  • Elizabeth Notz, Illinois Wesleyan University — " Contentious Policies: The Experiment with Affirmative Action and Affirmative Access at the University of California"
  • Sue Olson, Luther College — " The Symphony of Difference"
  • Discussant:  Melanie Parkhurst, Illinois State University

Panel 2-C: Case Studies in Peace and Conflict

Chair: Jim Byrne, Illinois State University

  • Tiffany Jackson, St. Louis University — "Taliban in Afghanistan"
  • Jennifer Kindred, Illinois State University — " The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict"Thierno Thiam, Eastern Illinois University — " Political Leadership, the African Union and the Quest for Unity in Africa: What Explains the Creation of the African Union?"
  • Veronica Torres, DePaul University — "Political Identities and Ethnic Nationalism in Rwanda: A Study of Colonial Policy and Its Outcomes"
  • Discussant:  James Gleffe, Illinois State University

Session 3 -  3:15 p. m. - 4:45 p. m.

Panel 3-A:  Asian Politics

Chair: Kristie Hise, Illinois State University

  • Rabia Akhtar, Eastern Illinois University – " Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia: Foreign Policy Challenge for Bush Administration"
  • Bradley Bonnette, University of Illinois at Springfield – "China and Opium: Government Approaches to Drug Control"
  • Jeremy Boss, Saint Xavier University – " The Politics of Korean Unification: Lessons from the German Model"
  • Scott LaDeur, Western Illinois University — " The Role of China in the North Korean Nuclear Situation"
  • Discussant:  Zachary Callen, Illinois State University

Panel 3-B:  U.S. Public Policy 

Chair: Suzanne Dady, Illinois State University

  • Matthew Bergbower, Eastern Illinois University — "In Memory of ACDA (1961-1997)"
  • TonyCheng, DePaul University — " Amtrak Policy: Past, Present, and Future"
  • Carly Schmitt, Eastern Illinois University —" Female Contraceptive Insurance and Public Opinion"
  • Drew Veeneman, Western Illinois University — " US Economic Development"     
  • Discussant: Sienna Crawford, Illinois State University

Panel 3-C:  Gender, Capitalism, and Terrorism

Chair:  Jason Spore, Illinois State University

  • Joel Emmerich, Saint Louis University — " Negotiating NAFTA: Mexico's and the U.S.'s Players, Policy Positions and Negotiation Postures" 
  • Sally Kwitkowski, Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver — " Fascism: Myths, Contingencies and Women?"
  • Shaun Randol, McKendree College — " The United States Government: A Terrorist Network? A Pragmatic and Theoretical Approach"
  • Ryan Taylor, Western Illinois University — "Securing the Homeland: Developing a Functional Organizational Structure for the Department of Homeland Security."
  • Discussant:  Anthony DiMaggio, Illinois State University

Closing Reception – Founder’s Suite – 4:45 p. m. – 5:30 p. m.