THIS MONTH'S HEADLINES:
1. GRADUATING SENIORS
2. EUROPEAN UNION STUDY ABROAD COURSE MAY 2019
3. PENN STATE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT GRANTS
4. PUBLIC POLICY FUND EVENT
5. WEBSITE UPDATE
6. FACEBOOK PAGE
7. HOLIDAYS
1. GRADUATING SENIORS
If they complete all course requirements, political science major Andrew Hall and politics and government minors Dylan Langharst and Domonic Mathews are scheduled to graduate this month. We extend best wishes to our graduating seniors and their plans for the future.
2. EUROPEAN UNION STUDY ABROAD COURSE MAY 2019
Between May 12–27, 2019, Dr. Lena Surzhko-Harned, Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science, and Chris Harben, Assistant Teaching Professor of Management, will be co-teaching a course titled "The E.U.: The Tale of Two Countries."
The interdisciplinary course provides Penn State students in the fields of Business, Economics, Pre-Law, Public Policy, Engineering, and others with hands-on experience of the real-world policy, economic, and social impact of the European Union. Participating students will examine the impact of the European Union via two case studies: Great Britain and Ukraine.
There will be three main study sites. The course will begin on Penn State Behrend’s campus, where the students will learn the fundamentals of the E.U.’s evolution, foundational treaties, and institutional arrangements. For the first part of the international experience, students will travel to London, U.K. During their week-long stay, the students will meet with representatives of major transnational companies, academics, and members of the press (such as the BBC). The second half of the study abroad program will take students to Kyiv, Ukraine. Here they will be hosted by the Kyiv School of Economics, and will examine the effects of the E.U. on Ukraine with professors of the KSE, members of Ukrainian government, representatives of national and transnational economic and business sectors, and representatives of media and social sectors. As part of the trip to Ukraine the group may also visit the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Great Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) is an unprecedented event in the history of the European Union. This messy divorce has many important implications politically, as well as in terms of business and economic relations in Europe and globally. On the other hand, Ukraine is a country aspiring for closer relations with the European Union. The new Association Agreement between Ukraine and the E.U. has come at a high price for Ukraine, and the E.U. continues to put pressure on the Ukrainian government for faster and more radical reform.
The two cases provide contrasting, yet complementary, views of the power of the European Union to influence domestic politics, economics, and society of European countries. The goal of the course is to provide students with a nuanced understanding of the E.U.’s institutions and their importance.
The estimated cost of the trip is $2,000 plus airfare. The cost of the trip is subject to change and booking/purchase of airfare is the responsibility of the student.
To apply for the course, you must submit a $250 deposit by February 8, 2019, and contact Dr. Surzhko-Harned.
For more information about the course, please stop by the H&SS School Office at 170 Kochel, or contact Dr. Surzhko-Harned at [email protected].
3. PENN STATE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT GRANTS
The Student Engagement Network is offering grants to students who want to expand their experience beyond the classroom. Individual awards of up to $3,000 are available to cover unpaid internships, research opportunities, travel costs, event fees, supplies and materials, books, software needed for projects and presentations, and more.
This new grant program is ideal for political science students to apply for funding assistance for travel to Washington, D.C., as part of PL SC 177, or for study abroad programs such as the European Union course, or for supervised student research, or for travel to research presentations, or for living expenses that may be connected to an internship.
To apply, visit the Penn State Student Engagement Network website.
4. PUBLIC POLICY FUND EVENT
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., the Public Policy Fund, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham University, is organizing a "Ready to Run" mini-session, a non-partisan program for women who want to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system. You will learn from prominent elected and appointed leaders, campaign consultants, party officials, and policy experts. The session will take place on the Penn State Behrend campus and is free for Penn State Behrend students. Students can register for free by contacting PPF Director Caitlin Handerhan at [email protected].
5. UPDATED WEBSITE
Several sections of the Penn State Behrend political science website have recently been updated, including the Student Groups section, which now contains a photo slide show for each currently active student political group on campus: The Behrend Political Society, College Republicans, College Democrats, Model United Nations, and Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. See the student political group photos online.
6. FACEBOOK PAGE
All students and alumni are invited to like the Penn State Behrend political science Facebook page to get updated news and find out about upcoming events.
7. HOLIDAYS
Best wishes to everyone on final exams and during the entire holiday season!