Symposium

Department of Political Science

James N. Allen

Professor Bernard O'Connor, Sponsor

The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ... Then and Now

The (Progressive) Conservative Party of Canada experienced considerable change from the mid to late 19th and 20th centuries. By focusing on three Prime Ministers: Sir John A. Macdonald, John Diefenbaker, and Brian Mulroney, the paper demonstrates the evolution of the party's platform and policies over the last 135 years.

Session C - Tower Room - 12:30 p.m.~12:45 p.m.

Staci Bennett

Professor Richard Stahler-Sholk, Sponsor

Guatemala: In Search of Democracy

The turmoil generated in Guatemala's society after the Peace Accords in 1996 demonstrates many of the hardships countries face while pursuing the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. After prolonged repression and attempted genocide during a 36-year civil war, Guatemala's indigenous Maya majority has taken the forefront in the struggle towards democratization. Their successes and frustrations hold comparative lessons for a global view of participatory government.

Session C - Reception Room - 12:30 p.m.~12:45 p.m.

Lauren Bernard and Kristin Lay

Professor Edward Sidlow, Sponsor

Evaluating Social Protest Music: 1960s - Present

By examining the lyrical content of political and social protest music, the paper explores music as a tool for transmitting political messages. A comparison and contrast of dominant political messages in music from the Vietnam War to the specter of war with Iraq reveals the evolution of political and social protest music over the last four decades.

Session B - Gallery II - 10:00 a.m.~10:15 a.m.

Emily Morgan Bonneau

Professor Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Sponsor

Is Politics a Guy Thing? Sex-Based Differences in Political Knowledge and Media Usage

Using over 300 surveys of students in introductory level political science classes, this paper discusses the differing degrees of political knowledge, use of the news media and political interest as well as cynicism between men and women. The dominance of men in these areas could have stark implications. However, the results indicate that the class may act as an equalizer that narrows the sex-based gaps in political knowledge and media consumption.

Session C - Reception Room - 11:30 a.m.~11:45 a.m.

Kaitlin Clark

Professor Barry Pyle, Sponsor

The Dynamic Evolution of Commerce Clause Policy

Judicial interpretation of law often has greater impact on society than congressional or constitutional text standing alone. This paper investigates the dynamic evolution of the Supreme Court's commerce clause policy and its impact on federal courts of appeals' decisions. Specifically, it tests the notion that judicial policy-making follows a predictable, four-staged process in both the Supreme Court and courts of appeals.

Session C - Main Lounge - 11:30 a.m.~11:45 a.m.

Barbara Hartung

Professor Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Sponsor

Should Incumbents Dread Diverse Districts?

One of the most researched aspects of political science is the advantage congressional incumbents have when seeking reelection. By looking at the racial, economic and educational characteristics of House districts, the paper addresses whether the diversity of a district makes the district harder to tame and thus affecting the likelihood of being reelected.

Session C - Reception Room - 11:45 a.m.~12:00 p.m.

Sara Henschell

Professor Joanna Scott, Sponsor

Can You Prosecute the Gun?

By examining Hannah Arendt's report on Eichmann's trial in Jerusalem, this paper looks at the notion of using Eichmann as a representation of guilt and responsibility for human atrocities wrought by a totalitarian regime. In her report, Arendt demonstrates that prosecuting Eichmann was not a substitute for justice, but a continuation of banality in its own right.

Session C - Main Lounge - 12:00 p.m.~12:15 p.m.

Luke Hoorelbeke

Professor Joanna Scott, Sponsor

The Political Importance of Italian Futurism

This paper explores the writings and visual art of Italian Futurists, whose works influenced the early years of Mussolini's regime and are studied by political theorists and art historians today. Their movement was widely known around Europe for its intense focus on modern urban life, technology and warfare in the years before and just after World War I. Their intent was to build a new modern civilization in Italy, leaving its ancient ruins and politics behind.

Session B - Reception Room - 10:45 a.m.~11:00 a.m.

James Polk

Professor Barry Pyle, Sponsor

INS and Foreign Nationals in the Age of Terrorism

Utilizing a case study of a female Congolese refugee applying for political asylum in the United States, this presentation explores the relationship between the bureaucracy of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and those forced to interact with it. The case reveals the difficulties of balancing theoretical law and the behavior of human actors within the INS judicial system, as well as the practical implications for the INS and refugees in a world where terrorism is a major concern.

Session C - Main Lounge - 11:45 a.m.~12:00 p.m.

Neil Ripley and Steven Jackson

Professor Rhonda Kinney, Sponsor

The Possibilities for Developing Transcendent Political Leadership: A Case Study

Private industry recognizes the importance of effective leadership. Business organizations invest resources in studying and developing leadership strategies throughout organizations. Government organizations have not always shared the same attitude and approach. Instead public organizations tend to rely on standard operating procedures and routines in the face of a changing society. This paper examines presidential staff organizations in order to assess the degree to which these organizations have developed effective leadership strategies and adapted to changing demands over time.

Session C - Faculty Lounge - 12:00 p.m.~12:15 p.m.


			Department of Political Science James N. Allen Professor Bernard O'Connor, Sponsor The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ... Then and Now The (Progressive) Conservative Party of Canada experienced considerable change from the mid to late 19th and 20th centuries. By focusing on three Prime Ministers: Sir John A. Macdonald, John Diefenbaker, and Brian Mulroney, the paper demonstrates the evolution of the party's platform and policies over the last 135 years. Session C - Tower Room - 12:30 p.m.~12:45 p.m. Staci Bennett Professor Richard Stahler-Sholk, Sponsor Guatemala: In Search of Democracy The turmoil generated in Guatemala's society after the Peace Accords in 1996 demonstrates many of the hardships countries face while pursuing the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. After prolonged repression and attempted genocide during a 36-year civil war, Guatemala's indigenous Maya majority has taken the forefront in the struggle towards democratization. Their successes and frustrations hold comparative lessons for a global view of participatory government. Session C - Reception Room - 12:30 p.m.~12:45 p.m. Lauren Bernard and Kristin Lay Professor Edward Sidlow, Sponsor Evaluating Social Protest Music: 1960s - Present By examining the lyrical content of political and social protest music, the paper explores music as a tool for transmitting political messages. A comparison and contrast of dominant political messages in music from the Vietnam War to the specter of war with Iraq reveals the evolution of political and social protest music over the last four decades. Session B - Gallery II - 10:00 a.m.~10:15 a.m. Emily Morgan Bonneau Professor Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Sponsor Is Politics a Guy Thing? Sex-Based Differences in Political Knowledge and Media Usage Using over 300 surveys of students in introductory level political science classes, this paper discusses the differing degrees of political knowledge, use of the news media and political interest as well as cynicism between men and women. The dominance of men in these areas could have stark implications. However, the results indicate that the class may act as an equalizer that narrows the sex-based gaps in political knowledge and media consumption. Session C - Reception Room - 11:30 a.m.~11:45 a.m. Kaitlin Clark Professor Barry Pyle, Sponsor The Dynamic Evolution of Commerce Clause Policy Judicial interpretation of law often has greater impact on society than congressional or constitutional text standing alone. This paper investigates the dynamic evolution of the Supreme Court's commerce clause policy and its impact on federal courts of appeals' decisions. Specifically, it tests the notion that judicial policy-making follows a predictable, four-staged process in both the Supreme Court and courts of appeals. Session C - Main Lounge - 11:30 a.m.~11:45 a.m. Barbara Hartung Professor Jeffrey L. Bernstein, Sponsor Should Incumbents Dread Diverse Districts? One of the most researched aspects of political science is the advantage congressional incumbents have when seeking reelection. By looking at the racial, economic and educational characteristics of House districts, the paper addresses whether the diversity of a district makes the district harder to tame and thus affecting the likelihood of being reelected. Session C - Reception Room - 11:45 a.m.~12:00 p.m. Sara Henschell Professor Joanna Scott, Sponsor Can You Prosecute the Gun? By examining Hannah Arendt's report on Eichmann's trial in Jerusalem, this paper looks at the notion of using Eichmann as a representation of guilt and responsibility for human atrocities wrought by a totalitarian regime. In her report, Arendt demonstrates that prosecuting Eichmann was not a substitute for justice, but a continuation of banality in its own right. Session C - Main Lounge - 12:00 p.m.~12:15 p.m. Luke Hoorelbeke Professor Joanna Scott, Sponsor The Political Importance of Italian Futurism This paper explores the writings and visual art of Italian Futurists, whose works influenced the early years of Mussolini's regime and are studied by political theorists and art historians today. Their movement was widely known around Europe for its intense focus on modern urban life, technology and warfare in the years before and just after World War I. Their intent was to build a new modern civilization in Italy, leaving its ancient ruins and politics behind. Session B - Reception Room - 10:45 a.m.~11:00 a.m. James Polk Professor Barry Pyle, Sponsor INS and Foreign Nationals in the Age of Terrorism Utilizing a case study of a female Congolese refugee applying for political asylum in the United States, this presentation explores the relationship between the bureaucracy of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and those forced to interact with it. The case reveals the difficulties of balancing theoretical law and the behavior of human actors within the INS judicial system, as well as the practical implications for the INS and refugees in a world where terrorism is a major concern. Session C - Main Lounge - 11:45 a.m.~12:00 p.m. Neil Ripley and Steven Jackson Professor Rhonda Kinney, Sponsor The Possibilities for Developing Transcendent Political Leadership: A Case Study Private industry recognizes the importance of effective leadership. Business organizations invest resources in studying and developing leadership strategies throughout organizations. Government organizations have not always shared the same attitude and approach. Instead public organizations tend to rely on standard operating procedures and routines in the face of a changing society. This paper examines presidential staff organizations in order to assess the degree to which these organizations have developed effective leadership strategies and adapted to changing demands over time. Session C - Faculty Lounge - 12:00 p.m.~12:15 p.m.