THIS MONTH'S HEADLINES:
- APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR TORONTO STUDY ABROAD COURSE NEXT SUMMER
- MODEL UN EVENT ABOUT CANADIAN ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 16
- UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE ONLINE EVENT ABOUT LATIN AMERICA
- FACULTY IN THE NEWS
- STUDENT GROUP NEWS
- FACEBOOK PAGE
1. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR TORONTO STUDY ABROAD COURSE NEXT SUMMER
Penn State has approved the resumption of study abroad programs, and North American Politics (PL SC 299/499) will again be offered in Toronto between May 15–June 11, 2022, and taught by Dr. Robert Speel. The course, which takes place on the Ryerson University campus in downtown Toronto, combines Penn State and Canadian students in one classroom for discussions about the comparative politics of the United States and Canada and on international relations between the two countries.
Among the topics to be discussed will be a comparison of the development of separate political cultures, comparisons of government institutions, election systems, federalism, and regionalism, and comparisons of each country's policy approaches toward the economy, health care, gun control, language, free speech, legal marijuana, abortion, medically assisted suicide, and the role of religion in education. Issues important in international relations between the two countries will also be discussed—this includes trade, border security, prevention of terrorism, pandemic responses, and control of the Arctic. Class excursions will visit the Ontario Parliament Buildings and Fort York, site of an important battle in the War of 1812.
Penn State and Behrend College provide generous financial aid to assist with the costs of summer study abroad programs. Most students have received such aid for this program in the past. Non-residents of Pennsylvania will pay in-state tuition for this course.
In addition, due to a grant from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Endowment Fund and donations from Penn State Behrend alumna Barbara Welton, the first ten students with completed and accepted applications for the program will receive $400 grants to lower the program fee cost from $950 to $550. The program fee cost covers one month's stay in a private room at a Ryerson University residence in downtown Toronto.
2. MODEL UN EVENT ABOUT CANADIAN ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 16
Penn State Behrend’s Model United Nations club is holding a Behrend Polis event on Tuesday, November 16, 7:00–8:00 p.m. in 150 Reed. Dr. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science, will be speaking and answering questions about campaign spending laws in the United States and Canada and about this year’s federal election in Canada. All are invited to attend.
3. UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE ONLINE EVENT ABOUT LATIN AMERICA
The United States Institute of Peace, an independent institute created by the U.S. federal government to try to prevent and resolve violent conflicts, is inviting Penn State Behrend students to attend the following online event:
December 1, 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET: State Fragility and Peace in Latin America
In this one-hour moderated discussion from the U.S. Institute of Peace, attendees will hear from USIP experts about state fragility and peace priorities in northern Central America, Latin America, and the region. The session will explore regional dynamics in the hemisphere, current challenges in places like Haiti and Venezuela, and the ongoing peace process in Colombia, and participants will have the opportunity to join the conversation on U.S. policy priorities.
Registration for the event is required.
4. FACULTY IN THE NEWS
Dr. Kilic Kanat, associate professor of political science, was interviewed by the digital news source the Times of Turkey, about the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Joe Biden at the G-20 Summit in Rome on October 31.
Dr. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science, was a panelist along with Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper for an event hosted by Governor Tom Wolf’s Pennsylvania Redistricting Advisory Council, held at Burke Center on October 27. After the event, Dr. Speel was interviewed by WJET-TV for broadcast. Dr. Speel was also interviewed for recent articles in the Erie Times-News about an ethics investigation of Congressman Mike Kelly and about the possible candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania by State Senator Dan Laughlin.
5. STUDENT GROUP NEWS
- College Republicans meet every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Burke 102. To get involved, contact President Garrett Watson.
- College Democrats is planning upcoming events. To get involved with the group, contact President Mallory Flesik.
- The Behrend Political Society is planning upcoming events. To get involved, contact President Madison Kwiecinski.
- Behrend Model United Nations is planning to attend a conference next semester. To get involved, contact President Lily Rasmussen.
6. FACEBOOK PAGE
All students and alumni are invited to like the Penn State Behrend Political Science Facebook page and get updated news and find out about events.