Political Science Commons^™

1st Place Contest Entry: "The Chip Off The Block": The 21st-Century Legacy Of Schoolhouse Rock!, Megan Lewandowski

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This is Megan Lewandowski's submission for the 2025 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize, which won first place. It contains their essay on using library resources, their bibliography, and a summary of their research project on the legacy of Schoolhouse Rock! in the 21st century.

Megan is a fourth-year student at Chapman University, majoring in Music and Psychology. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Carrie Dike.

Holding Ground In The Cerulean Tide: Minority Party Legislators' Strategies For Advancing Climate Policies In Landslide States, Sukjae Lee

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation addresses a key puzzle: Why do states sometimes adopt nationally polarized policies, such as climate change legislation, even when doing so does not align with strict partisan interests? The analysis focuses on “landslide states,” where a single party overwhelmingly dominates, and the minority party cannot realistically expect to gain a majority. In these environments, reduced partisan conflict allows minority party legislators to break from traditional partisan paths. As a result, I argue that electoral motivations drive them to signal moderation by advancing liberal policy agendas or incorporating provisions that minimize backlash from their core constituents in landslide states. …

The Impact Of Drought And Socio-Economic Factors On Attitudes Toward Immigrants In South Africa, Pamela Antwi-Nimarko

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Estimates of the global migrant population have steadily increased, with current data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reporting approximately 281 million migrants worldwide. Alongside this growth, anti-immigrant sentiments have risen in many host countries. This study seeks to contribute to the research on attitudes toward immigrants by exploring climate-related factors, particularly drought, as a key influence.

Leveraging a unique dataset combining the World Values Survey (WVS) and Afrobarometer, the study examines how drought, along with individual and contextual factors, affects attitudes toward immigrants. This dataset allows for an in-depth analysis of the direct impact of drought on public …

Harnessing Habeas Corpus: Women's Battles Against Coercive Psychiatric Institutionalization, Andy Knopik

Digital Legal Research Lab

No abstract provided.

Inge Viermetz, Woman Acquitted At Nuremberg, Diane Marie Amann

Scholarly Works

Conventional narratives tend to represent the post-World War II international criminal proceedings as a men’s project, thus obscuring the many women who participated, as lawyers, journalists, analysts, interpreters, witnesses, and defendants. Indeed, two women stood trial before Nuremberg Military Tribunals. This article examines the case of the only woman found not-guilty: Inge Viermetz, who had been an administrator at Lebensborn, the Nazi SS adoption and placement agency. The article outlines the prosecution’s child-taking case against Viermetz, as well as her successful gendered self-portrayal as a conventionally feminine caregiver. With references to Professor Megan A. Fairlie, at whose memorial symposium it …

Leveraging Allies, Partners, And Technology: A Case Study Approach To Identifying Best Practices For Improving Us Military All-Domain Urban Training, Kevin Michael Felix

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

In this study, the researcher explored urban training gaps, opportunities, and synergies across the United States and five Allied and partner nations, and how synthetic training environments (STE) technologies should be optimized now and in the future to improve US all-domain urban training. The researcher adopted a qualitative multiple case study approach, analyzing military doctrine, urban warfare training strategies, and infrastructure in the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Israel, and Singapore to establish best practices across these countries. Urban warfare requires specialized skills to negotiate terrain, including high-rise buildings, subterranean networks, and dense civilian populations. However, the existing U.S. military …

Could It Be Cold War? How Sino-American Tensions Are Unfolding In The South Pacific., Peter R. Caldwell

Senior Theses

This thesis assesses the impacts of geopolitical competition between the United States and China, focusing on the South Pacific as a primary theatre for this great power contest, and investigating the uses of foreign aid by regional powers to effect both the geopolitical alignment and domestic policies of the developing states of the South Pacific. This paper finds that foreign aid to these South Pacific States is geopolitically motivated, and induces greater attention from competing regional powers, furthering the ongoing competition. This paper first provides an overview of the evolving political situation in Kiribati, a Pacific Island Country which has …

The Black Voice, Anisha Smith

Posters - 2025

With the current state of the country my research provides an overview of what respondents in 2020 felt about racial issues. Mainly focusing on comparing Black respondents to other races.

National Anthems As Nation-Building Tools, John Child

Senior Theses

In order to develop national identity and encourage popular loyalty and devotion, countries adopt national symbols, including national anthems. This study supplements existing literature by synthesizing case studies and performing a comparative analysis. I examine the histories and contents of eight countries’ national anthems: the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, Japan, and Russia. I group the countries into three groups: colonial powers, post-colonial states, and countries that experienced dramatic regime changes in the 20th century. Through this framework, I am able to draw contrasts between similar countries and explore possible explanations for discrepancies between anthems. My results …

Ethical Ai Use And Classroom Integration Training Modules, Daniel Boudon

Open Educational Resources

This project focuses on developing comprehensive training modules to equip students and faculty with the knowledge and skills necessary to ethically and effectively use AI tools in academic settings. The training consists of interconnected modules that cover a wide range of topics, including the ethical use of AI, evaluating AI-generated content, integrating AI tools into curriculum design, and creating AI-enhanced classroom activities. Additional modules emphasize fostering digital literacy, staying updated with AI advancements, and collaborating on best practices for AI in education.

Designed for flexibility, the modules cater to diverse academic disciplines, making them suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses, …

Education As Cultural Diplomacy: Examining International Student Experiences At A Public University In The Southeastern United States, Sydney A. Wilson

Senior Theses

This thesis explores how the lived experiences of undergraduate international students at a public university in the Southeastern United States (US) reflect and contribute to the practice of cultural diplomacy. While the existing literature on international education as an instrument of soft power tends to focus on overtly state-sponsored programs such as the Fulbright, this study is centered around exchange students specifically participating in independently coordinated partner programs. Drawing on influential political science figures such as Joseph Nye and Milton Cummings’ conceptualization of the terms ‘soft power’ and ‘cultural diplomacy,’ this research highlights the important role informal and interpersonal interactions …

From Exit To Apathy: Migration, Remittances, And The Erosion Of Political Participation, Sanjida Mehrin

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis offers new perspectives on migration and political behavior in Latin America by analyzing how remittances affect political engagement and how economic perceptions influence migration intentions. While classic models focus on structural economic conditions, this study emphasizes the independent significance of subjective economic judgments as well as the different political implications of remittances across national contexts. The first chapter challenges traditional models that mainly link migration with objective economic indicators by examining how migration intentions are influenced by retrospective economic views. Using individual-level data from the 2018 LAPOP survey across 19 Latin American countries, the analysis employs country fixed …

Turkish-Iranian Competition For Influence In Central Asia: Motivations And Tools (2011–2021), Yasmeen Al-Dabas, Ayman Al-Barasneh

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to examine the motivations and tools behind the Turkish-Iranian competition for influence in Central Asian countries, as well as the impact of this rivalry on security and political stability in the region. The study was based on the main hypothesis that the strategic importance of Central Asian countries has influenced the pattern of competition between regional powers (Türkiye and Iran) for influence in the region and their interactions during the period 2011–2021. A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, applying the regional systems analysis framework to reach its findings. The study concluded that there is an ongoing competition between …

The Economic Effects Of The Russian-Ukrainian War Of 2022 On Global Food Security, Ahmed Al-Hiyary

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aims to shed light on the economic effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2022 on global food security and to examine its repercussions on international food markets and the global food supply shortage. The war has directly contributed to further disruptions in global food supply chains due to rising shipping costs. Both Ukraine and Russia play major roles in global food markets, as they are among the world’s most significant producers and exporters of arable crops. Consequently, the war has had profound global repercussions, particularly on food security, leading to a surge in the prices of most food …

From Civic Duties To Democratic Mandates: The Theoretical Framework Of Mill And Tocqueville On Compulsory Voting In The U.S., Olivia Claire Luttrell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the treatment of jury duty and voting in the United States through the philosophical framework of John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville. While jury duty is legally mandated, voting remains optional, despite both civic responsibilities being foundational to democratic participation. This research explores the historical, theoretical, and practical implications of voting becoming compulsory in the United States, as it is in other democratic nations. The analysis includes a comparative case study of the impact of Australia’s mandatory voting to evaluate whether it could become compulsory in the U.S. Both philosophers offer insightful knowledge on the role …

Beyond Empire: Spain's Contemporary Relationship With Latin America, Gage Groeteke

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The relationship between Spain and Latin America demands critical attention, not only due to its colonial past but also in light of shifting global power structures and growing generational demands for accountability from historically oppressive states. This study takes its form in a literature review to synthesize the evolving postcolonial dynamic between Spain and the Latin American region—whose long-run development and capacity for economic independence have been fundamentally shaped by colonization. Drawing on postcolonial theory, historical context, international relations, foreign policy, and primary sources, this paper argues that Spain’s modern entanglement with Latin America reflects a neocolonial pattern. Spain’s economic …

Latest Research (Academic Summaries): Partnerships And Collaboration, Erica Bassett, Lakell Archer, Sumaya Ali, Emma Indart

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This section focuses on summarizing the latest research in partnerships and collaboration in the nonprofit sector. This section can be considered a literature review of the latest studies.

Full Issue: Joni March 2025, Partnerships And Collaboration, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Leading Nonprofit Success Through Collaboration And Partnerships, Lakell Archer, Erica Bassett

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges, yet they often operate in a competitive environment with limited resources. To maximize impact and long-term sustainability, strategic partnerships and cross-sector collaborations have emerged as essential approaches. This paper explores the benefits of nonprofit collaboration, emphasizing its role in creating strategic advantages, improving service delivery, fostering innovation, and ensuring long-term resilience. The discussion highlights how collaborative leadership is key to overcoming barriers such as competition for funding, misaligned objectives, and trust deficits among partners. By examining real-world examples, the paper illustrates how effective partnerships enhance resource sharing, streamline operations, …

Enhancing Accountability And Transparency In Nonprofit Organizations: Examining The Impact Of Limited Regulatory Oversight In Africa Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnabas Iwia Suva

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Nonprofit organizations continue to positively impact society by playing a vital role in addressing social, economic, and humanitarian challenges worldwide. Governments in sub-Saharan Africa attract nonprofits by having less strict regulatory requirements. One of the unintended outcomes of operating in a less stringent regulatory framework is that transparency and accountability standards may be compromised. Inadvertently, having less stringent regulatory requirements may create governance gaps, information asymmetry, mission drift, donor mistrust, and sustainability challenges. Accountability and transparency are essential for fostering trust, continuous improvement, measuring impact, gaining stakeholder confidence, and achieving sustainable impact even with the scarcity of resources. Transparency can …

Poor Cancer Prevention And Detection In Zimbabwe, Kenyon C. Chipman

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract

In the aftermath of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Zimbabwe, has witnessed a surge in noncommunicable diseases such as cancer. Despite the decline in HIV/AIDS and other cancer-associated illnesses like HPV, these diseases have set the stage for a growing cancer epidemic. Key contributing factors to this rise include a lack of knowledge about cancer among both patients and health professionals, the prevalence of cancer-associated communicable diseases, and limited accessibility to early detection and prevention services and resources. These factors have led to late diagnoses, increased burden on the healthcare system, and adverse effects on individuals and families. …

Ballard Brief And Joni: A Collaborative Partnership, Becca Linford

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Child Malnutrition In Argentina: An Examination Of It Root Causes, Effects, And Innovations To Intervene, Brooklyn Richins

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Abstract:

Child malnutrition rates in Argentina have been on the rise, driven by factors such as income inequality, harsh climatic conditions, and geographic isolation, leading to an increased reliance on highly processed, nutrient-poor foods. This escalating issue has wide-ranging health and educational implications, including poor neurocognitive development, higher rates of hypertension, and greater risks of obesity and diabetes. Particularly in impoverished regions, like Jujuy, malnutrition exacerbates disparities in child health outcomes and educational achievement. Though international organizations like UNICEF and Bountiful Children’s Foundation are working to address malnutrition through supplements, education, and screenings, gaps in program implementation persist, especially in …

Becoming A Network Of Networks: G20 Interfaith Forum, Marianna Richardson

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

‘Casar Public Lecture: The New Middle East Game Of Thrones’, The Prince Alwaleed Center For American Studies And Research Casar

Performances, Events, and Presentations

Dive into the high-stakes drama of "The New Middle East: Game of Thrones" with Prof. Alaa El-Hadidi, former Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey, Russia, and Romania, and Professor of Professor of Practice, PPAD Department, School of GAPP .

This lecture was held on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the AUC New Cairo Campus.

The speaker discussed insider insights on regional power plays that unravels today's geopolitical intrigue like never before.

Learn more about CASAR:

Website: https://gapp.aucegypt.edu/academics/c...

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Katharine Drexel And The Sisters Who Shared Her Vision, Annie Huey

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of Laboratories Of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call From Behind The Lines, Neal Allen, Philip Pfeiffer

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of God's Resistance: Mobilizing Faith To Defend Immigrants, Anna Peterson

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of Algorithms Of Resistance: The Everyday Fight Against Platform Power, John G. Mcnutt

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of Ordinary Whites In Apartheid Society: Social Histories Of Accommodation, Gary Prevost

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.