DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE ~

NEWS AND EVENTS

VOLUME IV, ISSUE III SPRING 2012

ROBERT DEVIGNE COMPLETES HIS SECOND AND INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FINAL APPOINTMENT AS CHAIR THE ELEPHANT IN THE THE DEPARTMENT WELL POSITIONED FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS 2 ROOM BEN JAYE, A ‘11 The 2011-2012 academic talented team of professors members, a Communica- year marked Robert while developing the De- tions Coordinator, and suc- ALUMNI-STUDENT OUT- 3 Devigne’s second and final partment’s curriculum and cessfully transitioned the REACH EVENT term as Chair for the De- creating additional opportu- Department from its tight partment of Political Sci- nities for student involve- quarters in Eaton Hall to ence. ment. the newly renovated Pack- CALL FOR STUDENT 4 PAPERS ard Hall. Professor Devigne came to Since his 2006 appointment Tufts University in 1991 Devigne has partnered with In the spring of 2009, after GAINING VALUABLE 4 after receiving his Ph.D. in The Fletcher School to de- receiving the greatest num- INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE Political Science from Co- velop the Political Science- ber of nominations by the EMMA OPPENHEIM, T ‘12 lumbia University in 1990. Fletcher School Joint Semi- senior class, the Tufts Sen- In the fall of 2006 he was nar Series, collaborated ior Class Council notified appointed Chair for The with other Tufts depart- Devigne that he had been PRINCETON REVIEW 6 Department bringing with ments to bring timely talks selected to deliver The Last RECOGNIZES PROFESSOR him a wealth of experience to campus including Arab Lecture. The Last Lecture is ROBERT DEVGINE and leadership. Uprising; the Revolution and based on a speech Achieving IN THE NEWS 7 its Aftermath, supported nu- Your Dreams that Randy During his time as Chair, merous student groups, Pausch, a computer science Devigne was committed to added six full-time faculty attracting and maintaining a Continued on page 3

MALIK MUFTI PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS APPOINTED CHAIR

Malik Mufti, Professor of from in Caution in Turkish Strategic International Relations, has 1993. He served as Direc- Culture: Republic as Sea been named Chair of The tor for the Middle Eastern (London: Palgrave and Mac- Department of Political Sci- Studies Program from 2003 Millian, 2009) and Sovereign ence. Mufti will succeed until 2007 and as Director Creations Pan-Arabism and current Chair Professor for the International Rela- Political Order in Syria and Iraq Robert Devigne in the fall of tions Program from 2004 (Ithaca Cornell University Author and Associate Pro- 2012. until 2010. Mufti teaches Press, 1996). Mufti is also fessor Oxana Shevel courses on international the 2003 recipient of the (Cambridge University Professor Mufti came to relations as well as the poli- Lillian and Joseph Liebner Press 2011). Tufts University in 1992 tics of the Middle East. He Award for Distinguished In the News, page 7. after receiving his Ph.D. is the author of Daring and Teaching and Advising (Tufts). PAGE 2 NEWS AND EVENTS

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: A LETTER TO SENIORS BY BEN JAY, A ‘11

I know what you’re thinking: The Tufts faculty and staff Anyone interested in working “I’m about to graduate college know people world-wide do- in politics should spend some with this expensive liberal arts ing a variety of different time working on a campaign. degree and I have no idea what things—all of whom also know You will learn more about to do with it.” Don’t sweat it. people who may be able to hard work, communication Every Tufts alum has been assist you. While I will not go and time management than you there. Much like in high school on about the importance of ever expected. when people told you that sen- networking, I will tell you it ior year would be a breeze, the helped me and how, with the I spent my first week stuffing, final few weeks of senior year right outlook, you can use it to sealing, and stamping enve- in college are not so easy ei- help find a job for yourself. lopes. While this is not the ther. Having to repeatedly type of activity that makes you answer the question, “what do A few weeks before gradua- feel good about the massive you plan on doing after you tion, with the help of Professor student loans that you bor- graduate?” can make you feel Portney, I had found a policy- rowed, your positive mindset “CAREER like Bill Murray in the movie related job in Philadelphia that will help you stand out to your “Groundhog Day.” Additional- I was interested in. As per Pro- employer. By demonstrating SERVICES ALWAYS ly, when you still have course- fessor Portney’s advice, I de- that you are willing to work work to do, applying for a job cided to speak with my State hard and can be trusted to TELLS YOU TO might as well be a full-time job Representative to see if he complete a task, no matter itself. knew anyone in the firm. As it how boring or insignificant, NETWORK . turned out, both his former you will open the door for At this point last year I was a boss and a Tufts Alum were other jobs and responsibilities THIS IS PERHAPS second semester senior with currently working there. By to be asked of you. Remem- THE MOST little or no job prospects taking the following afternoon, I was ber, no one is going to give an 8:30 am French class to on the phone with both of more responsibility to some- POWERFUL TOOL fulfill my language require- them discussing both the open one who either is incapable of ment. Many of my friends position and potential future or refuses to perform a project IN YOUR JOB were finding interesting in- prospects with the company. already given to him or her. ternships and fellowships to The following week I was giv- APPLICATION apply to while I was struggling In a perfect world, I would en the task to research events to find something that sounded have gotten the job. As we that were going on throughout ARSENAL” appealing to me. Having vol- know, however, this is not a the county and staffing the unteered for my State Repre- perfect world. The Phillies are candidates at the events. Dur- sentative for a few years prior in a hitting slump and they ing the campaign my duties to college I had always been never have butternut squash grew. I was implementing a politically active and wanted to soup at Dewick or Carmichael lawn-sign campaign that en- find a job doing policy research when you want it. compassed 8000 homes and after graduation. Despite the researching/writing briefing help of Career Services, I was When I called to thank my documents on county-wide worried that I would soon State Representative for his issues for press conferences graduate without any prospects advice, he informed me that he and other events. or plans. and a colleague were running to fill two out of three seats on I have two additional tips for Career Services always tells my County’s Board of Com- those contemplating campaign you to network. This is per- missioners. He asked if I would work after college: haps the most powerful tool in join his campaign. Yes, I quick- your job application arsenal. ly accepted! Continued on page 5 PAGE 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

ROBERT DEVIGNE COMPLETES HIS SECOND AND FINAL APPOINTMENT AS CHAIR continued from page 1 of their lives as they make the command, where you are in positioned for continued transition from Tufts to life charge of your commitments success and growth. professor at Carnegie after college. and your commitments are Mellon, delivered to his stu- not in charge of you," he said. Cheers to six remarkable dents in September of 2006. "How do we get over this di- years! vorce and disconnection be- As a professor of political Devigne was asked to reflect tween this life of commitments theory Devigne’s words have ______on his life’s journey and and the liberal arts education?" consistently resonated with share his observations with Devigne asked. He spoke of students. In 1996 he received the Tufts community, “If you the rhetorical and life altering the Undergraduate Initiative knew this was the last lec- in Teaching Award Robert Devigne studies and questions they will be faced teaches political philosophy. He ture you would ever give, with and asked them to look (U.N.I.T.E), in 2000 he re- what would you share with ceived the Lillian and Joseph has authored two books: no further than themselves for “Recasting Conservatism: students and colleagues?” those answers. With his words Liebner Award for distin- guished teaching and advising Oakeshott, Strauss, and the he assured them that they were Response to Postmodern- "It is appropriate to call this equipped with a plethora of (Tufts), and in 2012 The the Last Lecture because it is Princeton Review named him ism” (Yale University Press valuable information and to 1994 Published in paperback directed primarily to the utilize what they have learned one of The 300 Best Professors Class of 2009," Devigne in the country. 1997), and “Reforming Liberal- in conjunction with their own ism: J.S. Mill’s Use of Ancient, said. He explained that their compass to help them navigate Devigne’s substantial contri- Religious, Romantic, and Liber- preparation was over and the decisions and transitions butions as Professor and Chair al Moralities” (Yale University that "it's the end of the be- they will face. ginning” of their journey. He leaves The Department well Press, 2006). suggested they take control "Attain a degree of self-

THIRD ANNUAL POLITICAL SCIENCE ALUMNI-STUDENT OUTREACH EVENT MONDAY, MAY 21ST - FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH

The Department of Political port! We ask all Political Science  Most importantly, enjoy! Science will host their third majors who are participating This is a great opportuni-  The Event is divided into annual Alumni-Student Out- to: ty to build your under- three weeks. reach Event. The Event is standing of the field  Be prepared. Have a list open to all political science  A spreadsheet has been you’re interested in and, of questions ready. majors to encourage and forwarded to each political possibly, develop life- generate dialogue with our science major with a list of  Be a good listener. long connections. PS alumni who will help the participating Political  Remember to call only For questions, please contact students answer many of the Science Alumni. In addi- during the times listed. Jeannine Lenehan, Communi- questions they have regard- tion, it lists the year they cations Coordinator, Depart- ing resume and career build- graduated, their current  Remember, this is not a ment of Political Science, ing strategies. In short, it is a position, when they can be job interview, this is a x 75769 or via email jean- wonderful forum to develop contacted, their preferred mentoring session. [email protected]. All mentors in areas that our method of contact (either PS majors may also contact political science majors as- email or phone), and some  Remember to follow up Amit Paz, Staff Assistant, at pire towards and we thank additional notes to help with a “thank you” to [email protected] for a our Political Science Alumni better acquaint you. your mentor(s). copy of the spreadsheet. for their overwhelming sup- PAGE 4 NEWS AND EVENTS

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: A LETTER TO SENIORS BY BEN JAY, A ‘11

Continued from page 2 make stronger connec- and fortunate to be where I WHILE THE tions with the regional am. 1. For those of you who have political parties/interest ELEPHANT IN campaign experience there groups, which in turn will Let me conclude that my story is still much to learn. Be- likely be better positioned was just that—my story. It is THE ROOM MAY lieve me, I know that run- to help you to find a job not meant to serve as an expert ning for Alumni repre- when the election is over. opinion on how to find a job BE YOUR sentative was a large un- after college or scoop from a dertaking, however, un- After several months of hard political insider. I am only old LOOMING JOB less your job title specifi- work, the candidates I worked enough to have voted in one cally says “Campaign Man- for won the election. For the presidential election. This was SEARCH, THE ager,” “Campaign Consult- first time in 147 years, two out my journey and my experience ant,” or “Campaign Strate- of the three members of my finding a job after college. SKILLS YOU gist” leave that work to County’s Board of Commis- While the elephant in the someone else while you sioners were Democrats. room may be your looming job ACQUIRED AT gain experience. Shortly after their victory they search, the skills you acquired 2. While working on a presi- asked me to join them in the at Tufts and your own passion TUFTS AND dential election will help county government following will set you on the right path you gain experience and their inauguration. after graduation. YOUR OWN the skill-set to implement a campaign, unless you are Currently, I serve as the Assis- If you have any questions, feel PASSION WILL interested in working on a tant to the Chief Operating free to contact me at Benja- SET YOU ON THE campaign over a few elec- Officer and the Secretary of [email protected]. tion cycles, try to find a the Board of Commissioners RIGHT PATH... position working or vol- for Montgomery County, Follow Montgomery County unteering on a local race. Pennsylvania. I feel grateful on Twitter @montcopa! This will allow you to

JOURNAL OF POLITCS AND SOCIETY: CALL FOR STUDENT PAPERS

The Helvidius Group, the pub- pers from seminars, upper- The Journal will award the Pe- lishing body behind Columbia level electives, independent ter and Katherine Tomassi University’s Journal of Politics & study and junior/senior thesis prize of $250 to the author of Society, is an undergraduate programs. the best article, as judged by academic journal distributed the Editorial Board in conjunc- THE If you are a professor and be- nationally among academics tion with faculty at Columbia lieve one or more of your stu- and sold in Barnes & Noble University. DEADLINE FOR dents have produced work bookstores. In its 23rd year of which would be suitable for For additional information publication, the Journal fea- STUDENT PAPER the Journal or if you are a stu- contact Patrick Woolsey, Man- tures exclusively undergradu- dent and have a paper you aging Editor, The Helvidius ate work in social sciences. SUBMISSIONS IS would like to submit please Group, The Journal of Politics They are currently accepting visit www.helvidius.org/cfp or and Society, 515 Alfred Lerner JUNE 17TH student papers for publication www.helvidius.org. Hall, 2920 Broadway, MC for the fall 2012 edition of the 2601, New York, NY 10027. The deadline for student paper Journal. They are seeking out- submissions in June 17 standing student research pa- (minimum 15 pages). PAGE 5 NEWS AND EVENTS

EMMA OPPENHEIM, T ‘12, GAINS VALUABLE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

I’ve had two separate experi- setts is not nearly as liberal as it rights to ignore. On the other details of the bill were up in ences interning for members may be portrayed in the na- hand the numbers of the air, there had been little of the government and both tional media. At work my boss transgender individuals, espe- time to know if or when the were marked largely by brought me into the floor of cially those identifying as bill would come to a vote. I bouts of chaos. Last semester the house and showed me the Transgender, are much low- was lucky enough to ran- I interned with State Repre- third of the room that was now er. It’s much less likely that domly be at work the day sentative Carl Sciortino. home to newly elected Tea an average individual would the bill got out of the com- Representative Sciortino is Party candidates. However, know someone who was out- mittee and onto the floor of well known throughout it’s not only Tea Party Repub- wardly transgender which was the House for a vote. Repre- because of his licans that opposed the why the office I worked in sentative Sciortino and my commitment to promoting Transgender Bill; it faced op- was working diligently to pass boss waited anxiously on the LGBT rights; his 2004 race position from many democrats the Transgender Equal Rights floor, while advocates made headlines because of as well. Any political power Bill. crowed into the viewing his defeat of a gay marriage that could be the result of what gallery. As the fill was proponent. Last semester amounts to nearly one party The Bill’s detractors never brought onto the floor doz- the particular chaos I’m re- rule by the Democrats in the outwardly admitted that they ens of amendments to the fill ferring to surrounded the State House, tends to be torn were opposed to giving started appearing on our Transgender Equal Rights apart by political infighting transgender individuals equal computers. Some of these Bill. within the party. In response rights, but the bill’s advocates amendments would have to the progress being made on were forced to make a num- struck down the bill entire- I spent most of my time the Transgender bill, it was ber of large concessions that ly, but the majority of the working on Health issues, common for me to hear law- some advocates argue com- amendments called for stud- but every so often my boss, maker worry about how their promised the bill’s intent. ies to determine the effects legislative aide Raffi Freed- district would react to the bill. The most common com- of the bill on small business- man-Gurspan, would pull Lawmakers from more socially plaints came from small busi- es. Due to lack of internet me into her office and detail conservative districts were ness owners, especially own- on the floor of the State the politics that was taking very wary of voting for a bill ers of small sports clubs or House and an archaic system place quite literally behind that could ultimately deprive spas who argues that they in which amendments are closed doors. Occasionally, them of their re-election. didn’t want their patrons to uploaded directly to com- there were days when I be exposed to people of op- puters within constituents’ would be lazily answering You might wonder why the posite genders in their locker offices, I was responsible for phones and writing constitu- Transgender Bill was so con- rooms. I believe this is an printing out all of the forty ent response letters, and troversial, especially in the first outlandish argument. Today, plus amendments and literal- then advocates or lawmakers U.S. state to approve gay mar- transgender individuals are re ly running them to the floor would walk somberly into riage. As my boss, who is -issued drivers licenses or of the House and to the Representative Sciortino’s transgender herself, explained other forms of ID that reflect viewing galleries as often as office and spend the next to me; despite similar bills their new gender. I believe they showed up on my com- couple of hours quietly dis- already passed in other states, there should be no fear that puter. cussing the merits or the the transgender rights move- individuals would be suing obstacles regarding the ment hasn’t had nearly as much this bill as an excuse for inap- Eventually, in the Repre- Transgender Bill. visibility as the gay rights propriate behavior. sentative Sciorino’s office we movement. Certainly, she ex- had a wide variety of advo- These meetings were highly plained, this is due in large part In the context of this strong cates, mostly lawyers, trying secretive for good reason. to actual numbers: with so outward opposition to the to figure out which of the Living in Somerville and many people outwardly identi- bill, I got to work at one on a amendments urgently need- being a short T ride from fying as gay it has become a Thursday afternoon and was ed to be defeated and other liberal enclaves, it’s much harder issue for people greeted by my boss frantically easy to forget that Massachu- who may be opposed to gay running around. Because the Continued on page 6 PAGE 6 NEWS AND EVENTS

EMMA OPPENHEIM, T ‘12, GAINS VALUABLE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Continued from page 5 back from the office to the anyone who has an interest in ...AN INTERN House floor and gave my boss getting a first-hand look at which ones we could allow to a huge hug. She looked happy, politics. It might be a messier RECEIVES accompany the bill. The first shocked, and close to tears. experience than you expected: amendment, which would have We had finally passed legisla- some days drag by and others EXPERIENCE called for the bill to be tion that she had worked on are overwhelmingly hectic, but WORKING ON stripped of most of its protec- for months and that directly despite the irregularities in tions for transgender individu- affected her well-being and scheduling an intern receives IMPORTANT als, basically rendering the bill protected her from discrimina- experience working on im- useless, was brought to a vote tion. It was a huge accomplish- portant projects with very in- PROJECTS WITH on the House floor and defeat- ment that we were all very teresting and intelligent people VERY INTERESTING ed. Soon after that the bill it- proud to be a part of. who truly care about improv- self was passed. Although we ing the lives of fellow constitu- AND INTELLIGENT know we had the votes to pass In conclusion I definitely rec- ents in Massachusetts. the bill it was still a close vote. ommend interning in Repre- PEOPLE... When voting concluded I ran sentative Sciortino’s office for

THE PRINCETON REVIEW NAMES PROFESSOR AND CHAIR ROBERT DEVIGNE ONE OF THE “300 BEST PROFESSORS” IN THE COUNTRY

The Princeton Review Frederich Nietzsche, John the first comprehensive guide- Princeton Review called an named Robert Devigne, Stuart Mill, Alexis de book to America’s top under- initial list using its surveys of Professor and Chair for Tocqueville, Leo Strauss, and graduate professors. hundreds of thousands of stu- the Department of Politi- others. “They all give us the dents that revealed the colleges The 300 Best Professors profiles cal Science, as one of the opportunity to weigh the ad- at which students highly rated outstanding professors at 122 countries 300 best profes- vantages and disadvantages of their professors’ teaching abil- colleges. All of the professors sors. the modern way of life that ity and accessibility. Data from won high praise from their the West has built.” In the RateMyProfessors.com identi- “What is the proper rela- most important audiences: the intro classes, he focuses di- fied more than 42,000 profes- tionship between philoso- undergraduate students they rectly on the reading materi- sors at those schools that stu- phy, religion, and poli- teach and inspire. al, explaining “the intentions dents had rated on its site. tics?” asks Devigne whose of political philosophers and The Princeton Review devel- Combining this information, a classes look to promote how it has helped create this oped the project in partnership base list of 1000 professors was thought and discussion on world (for better or worse) with RateMyProfessors.com formed. After obtaining fur- fundamental questions and our understanding of it,” and selected professors in the ther input from school admin- such as the nature of liber- says one student. Both his book based on qualitative and istrators and students, as well ty, nature, justice, and the lectures and readings will quantitative data from survey as Princeton Review surveys of best life. “challenge your world view in findings and ratings collected the professors under considera- Devigne teaches classes in a way that will make you a by both organizations. tion, the editors of The Prince- Western political philoso- different person when you The Princeton Review and ton Review developed their phy that explain how these finish the class,” says another RateMyProfessors.com annual- final list. thinkers have helped shape student. ly collect data from students at Professor Devigne was one of the way that we look at The Princeton Review, an thousands of colleges across only 12 political science pro- the world, as well as up- education services company, the country (and abroad) about fessors chosen. per-level classes on think- teamed up with RateMyPro- their classroom experiences ers such as Jean Congratulations to Professor fessors.com, a college rank- and assessment of their profes- JacquesRousseau, Devigne on this well deserved ings site in the U.S., to create sors. For this project, The STUDENT RESEARCH BRIEFING SERIES

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE The Student Research Briefing Series is designed to cover a broad range of ~ TUFTS UNIVERSITY topics in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory & Philosophy. The briefings are also intended to en- hance student appreciation of student research completed in the Depart- Packard Hall ment of Political Science. In addition, the publication hopes to serve as Medford, Massachusetts 02155 outreach to interested undergraduates and prospective students consider- ing a major in Political Science. The publication is student-produced and the research was conducted dur-

Phone: 617-627-3465 ing their undergraduate studies. Fax: 617-627-3660 The latest in the Series is Trustee or Delegate: A Legitimate Question Facing http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/ Political Representation by political science major Matt Russell, T ‘13. In Trustee or Delegate Russell researches how the political representation is dominated by two theories proposing opposite views on how elected offi- cials should behave in office. To read Trustee of Delegate: A Legitimate Ques- tion Facing Political Representation please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/ I F YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE studentresearch/TrusteeorDelegate.pdf. TO OUR N EWSLETTER PLEASE CONTACT J EANNINE L ENEHAN If you are a student interested in contributing to the Student Research Brief- C OMMUNICATIONS C OORDINATIOR ing Series or a professor within the Department of Political Science and D EPARTMENT OF P OLITICAL S CIENCE have a student paper you would like to highlight, please contact jean- JEANNINE . LENEHAN @ TUFTS . EDU. [email protected] or visit http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/ F ACULTY AND STUDENTS ARE studentreseearch/to learn more. ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND IDEAS.

IN THE NEWS The Princeton Review names Robert Devigne one of the country’s 300 best professors. In the 2012 issue The Princeton Review named Robert Devigne one of the country’s 200 Best Professors and one of only 12 in the political science category. (Random House/Princeton Review, April 3, 2012). CBS News Reports Obama team’s attack on Romney mirrors 1994 race and asks Professor Jeffrey Berry to weigh in. According to CBS News “In 1994, Mitt Romney was a political rookie and the economy was booming—a far cry from to- day’s political and economic conditions. Still, President Obama’s re-election campaign is turning to tactics used against Rom- ney in 1994 to attack the Republican candidate in this year’s presidential race.” Professor Jeffrey Berry said the negative advertising “had devastating impact on Romney’s senatorial bid.” “The polls showed that the ads were a turning point in the campaign and...forced Romney into a defensive stance.” To read the article in its entirety visit www.cbsnews.com. David Art, Associate Professor of Comparative and European Politics selected as the winner of the 2012 Ler- man-Neubauer Prize. David Art has been selected as the winner of this year’s Lerman-Neubauer Prize which is awarded annually to one full-time faculty member in Arts, Sciences, and Engineering judged by graduating seniors as an individual who has had a profound impact on them intellectually, both in and out of the classroom. Seniors from the Class of 2011 were in- spired to nominate Professor Art as most influential in shaping their minds. 2012 Belfer Award Recipients for Best Political Science Thesis are Daniel Rosenblum and Suzanne Schloss- berg. This award is given out annually for an outstanding piece of work done in a political science course or independently by a Political Science major. 2012 James Vance Elliot Award Recipients are Daniel Rosenblum and Kira Hessekiel. The James Vance Elliot Political Science Prize is awarded in the senior year to students majoring in Political Science whose achievements best combine academic excellence with active participation and effective leadership on campus and in civic affairs. Congratulations to Associate Professor Oxana Shevel on the publication of her book Migration, Refugee Poli- cy, and State Building in Postcommunist Europe (Cambridge University Press, 2011) http://www.cambridge.org/us/knowledge/isbn/item6491708/?site_locale=en_US.