Department of Political Science Bulletin
SEPTEMBER, 2007

Events

Constitution Day and Scholarship Fundraiser

The Political Science Department is hosting a Constitution Day and Scholarship Fundraiser September 13 from 5:30 - 7:00 at Burgundy restaurant on 222 West Hickory in Denton.  UNT President Gretchen Bataille, State Representative Myra Crownover, and others will join us.  If you would like to attend, please see the Event Website.

Chris Fariss defended his Masters Thesis, "Human Rights and the Strategic Use of US Foreign Aid" on August 27.

Awards

Karis Durant (PSCI Major) was informed that she was one of six students in the State of Texas to have been selected for a $5000 Texas Conference for Women Scholarship. Karis will receive her award on October 4 at the Texas Convention Center, in Austin. She will there meet the Governor and First Lady of Texas and will have her bio posted on the Conference website. Karis is 4.0 member of the Honors College; she has majored in political science and minored in music.

Professor Kimi King and Professor James Meernik were awarded the Rowman & Littlefield Award for Innovative Teaching in Political Science at a reception at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Chicago, IL, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2.

Acceptances

Madhav Joshi and Professor David Mason's "Between Democracy and Revolution: Peasant Support for Insurgency versus Democracy in Nepal." has been accepted for publication in Journal of Peace Research.

Professor James Meernik and Professor Elizabeth Oldmixon's paper, “The President, the Senate and the Costs of Internationalism” was accepted for publication in Foreign Policy Analysis.

Professor James Meernik's paper, “It’s Time to Stop Running: A Model of the Apprehension of Suspected War Criminals” was accepted for publication in International Studies Perspectives.

Professor Emile Sahliyeh and Brian Calfano's (PhD, 2007) "The Determinants of the Status of Democracy among the Islamic States" was accepted for publication in Social Science Quarterly.

Professor Emile Sahliyeh, Brian Calfano's (PhD, 2007) and Todd Spinks' "The Status of Democracy in the Middle East: Does Regime Type make a Difference?" was accepted for publication in the Journal of Democratization.

Publications

Madhav Joshi and Professor David Mason's "Land Tenure, Democracy and Insurgency in Nepal: Peasant Support for Insurgency v. Democracy" was published in Asian Survey.

Professor James Meernik's “Defining and Delivering Justice” appears in Ethics, Nationalism and Just War, Henrik Syse and Gregory Reichberg (eds.). Catholic University of America Press.

Professor Idean Salehyan's "Transnational Rebels: Neighboring States as Sanctuary for Rebel Groups."  was published in World Politics, and "Ruthless Rulers: Coalition Size and the Severity of Civil Conflict" (with Lindsay Heger) was published in International Studies Quarterly. Professor Salehyan's "The New Myth About Climate Change." was published on-line by Foreign Policy, August 17, 2007.

Alumni News

Donna Godwin (MA, 2004) teaches now at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens.

Joann Lutz (PhD 1993) and currently at Texas A&M-Commerce) was awarded a J. William Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Jordan beginning in the Spring 2008 semester. She will be teaching in the graduate school at the University of Jordan in Amman.

Nico Rost, (MA, 2005) is working for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and has been posted as Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Dean Woodard (PhD student and currently working for the US Department of Commerce) led trade negotiations for the Commerce Department that were concluded with a recent signing ceremony in Rio De Janeiro.

Funding

Professor Mathieu Turgeon's and Danny Hayes proposal for the Time-Sharing Experiments for the Social Sciences (TESS) and  funded by the NSF,  titled, "A Matter of Distinction: Candidate Similarity and On-Line vs. Memory-Based Processing." has been provisionally accepted.

In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing  of Dr. Steve C. Poe, Professor of Political Science  at the University of North Texas.  Dr. Poe suffered a heart attack while enjoying one of his favorite activities – playing tennis with his daughters.  He is survived by his wife Sunny and three daughters, Mary, Jamie, and Megan. 

 Steve Poe received his PhD from the University of Iowa in 1989 and joined the faculty of the Department of Political Science at the University of North Texas in 1989. Steve Poe was  a pioneer in the study of human rights studies. His teaching and research in that field have  made him a well-respected scholar in the field.  He has always been passionate about his work, and he sincerely believed that his passion is what allowed him to be successful.  Aside from making a significant contribution to our understanding of international politics, Dr. Poe was actively involved in human rights organizations, such as the local chapter of the Center for the Survivors of Torture.

 Steve Poe was the first Johnie Christian Family Peace Professor from 1998-2000 and the founder of UNT’s Peace Studies Program, which is the only Peace Studies program in the region that offers a minor and a certificate. He also took the lead in establishing four endowed scholarships in Peace Studies at UNT. He had been serving as Editor-in-Chief of International Studies Quarterly since 2003.

 Dr. Poe was a favorite among students because of his accessibility and his genuine concern for the welfare of his students.  During his time at UNT he won almost every teaching award for which he was eligible, and deserved them all. While a professor at the University of North Texas, he accumulated a following of students whom he inspired both professionally and personally.  His doctoral students have gone on to build successful careers as teachers and researchers. Dr. Poe far exceeded his duties as professor, serving for many years as a mentor to students involved in the McNair Program and also as an unofficial mentor to all.  The McNair Program pairs faculty with promising students who are the first in their family to attend college.  One of Steve’s McNair advisees went on to earn a law degree from Harvard and is currently working on a Ph.D. at George Washington. Another is in the Ph.D. program at Binghamton University. He has mentored more McNair scholars than any other faculty at this university and all have gone on to successful careers. 

 Dr. Poe was a dedicated husband, father, teacher, and scholar, and he managed to excel in all these roles.  As an avid sports fan and former college athlete, he always managed to make time for recreation, using sports as a way to bond with colleagues and students alike.  Those who spent time with Dr. Poe will miss him dearly, and he will be remembered by all for his kindness, generosity, and sincere interest in the lives of others.

Appearances

At the Annual Meetings of the American Political Science Association, August 30 - Sept. 2 in Chicago, IL

Professor Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha presented "The President's Speeches & Legislative Success".

Professor Steve Forde presented "The Liberal Morality of Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding."

Professor David Mason presented " How Political Violence Ends: Paths to De-escalation & Termination".

Professor James Meernik and Rosa Aloisi presented, "I Would Like to Make a Reservation: Explaining States' Reservations Regarding the International Criminal Court".

Professor Elizabeth Oldmixon presented "The Religious Dynamics of Policy Influence in the U.S. Congress".

Professor Idean Salehyan presented, "The Externalities of Civil Strife: Refugees as a Source of International Conflict".

Professor Mathieu Turgeon presented "Citizen Competence and the Institutional Environment".