Why POIR? Meet some current students and find out what they like about the program
Name: Brandy Au
Interests: The East Asian balance of power, U.S.-China relations, National identity and effects on policy making, and more
Dissertation Topic: Not exactly sure yet, but it will probably be related to China's foreign policy making processes in the realm of security or economics
How to contact me: brandyau@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: Whether it is the staff, faculty, or students, the entire program provides an excellent support network. POIR is outstanding when it comes to providing academic enhancement opportunities outside the classroom, whether it is inviting different speakers for luncheon talks or actively collaborating with other departments on campus to host conferences on a variety of salient issues currently in political science and IR. Also, there are many people who are working in hot emerging fields that will definitely be part of mainstream IR discussion in the years to come. You're sure to find someone who shares your research interests.
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Name: Mariano Bertucci
Interests: International Political Economy, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, US-Latin America relations
Dissertation topic: IR theory and the domestic, regional, and international driving structures of U.S.-Latin American relations. Mariano studies U.S.-Latin American relations with Dr. Abraham F. Lowenthal, Comparative Politics in Latin America with Dr. Gerardo L. Munck, Foreign Policy Analysis with Dr. Steven Lamy, and IPE in Latin America with Dr. Carol Wise.
How to contact me: mariano.bertucci@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: As a research institution, USC is an extraordinarily competitive university for pursuing Ph.D. studies in Politics and International Relations. Its highly accessible and world-renowned faculty, together with the many available resources to conduct on-site research both in the United States and abroad (as embodied, for example, in the Center for International Studies), are assets that place USC's POIR Program amongst the country's top tier programs in Politics and International Relations.
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Name: Dave Bridge (2007-'08 President of the Politics and International Relations Graduate Association)
Interests: American Political Development, Supreme Court Politics, Law and Courts
Dissertation topic: My dissertation looks at how the Supreme Court operates within the national governing coalition. Is the Court a contributing member of the governing regime? What roles does the Court play? When can we expect the Court to do certain things?
How to contact me: deb@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: POIR is a solid program with enough flexibility to fit specific needs. Class sizes are small; advisor-to-student ratios are very small; and everyone generally gets along (don't underestimate this). And Los Angeles is great!
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Name: Fabián Borges-Herrero
Education: B.A., Political Science, Universidad de Costa Rica; M.A., Latin American Studies, Georgetown University.
Interests: Economic integration in the Western Hemisphere, U.S.-Latin America economic relations, China-Latin America economic relations
Dissertation topic:Not defined. I am interested in the role bilateral trade agreements with the United States can play in helping Latin American economies remain competitive amid increasing competition from China in the U.S. market.
How to contact me: borgeshe@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR:POIR’s faculty is particularly strong (and becoming stronger) in international political economy and in the two regions I am interested in (Latin America and East Asia). POIR offers and extremely generous funding package for all incoming students. The program provides a very desirable environment for learning as the faculty is accessible and the student body is friendly and diverse. The program’s small size is also a plus. Los Angeles provides a stimulating environment and is the ideal location to study the Pacific Rim.
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Name: Rook Campbell
How to contact me: rkcampbe@usc.edu
Bio: I have two primary research interests: international security and global governance and human rights. Looking at truth commissions and legal forums, my work concentrates in areas of sociology of human rights in considering issues of collective memory, truth, justice, and reconciliation. Within the sub discipline of international security, I want to learn how local crime, deviance, and social control theories and practices transform in global society. Currently, my principle research areas are focused on transnational criminal networks and global polity issues of financial market integrity, transnational migrations, labour and citizenship. Questions of social cultural politics and a discourse of freedom and rights carry through much of my work.
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Name: Katherine Kit Ling Chu
Interests: Comparative Politics, Culture and Global Society, Film and Politics, Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy
Dissertation topic: The swift growth and change of the Chinese film industry in recent years signaled a parallel major growth of the local film market. Situated within the debate of globalization and the state, my research seeks to understand the extent to which a state is constrained or motivated by the exigencies of globalization with particular focus on the state and cultural production engine in China during the Reform era, since 1978. The key question is why and how the government initiated the rapid growth of the domestic film industry in the era of neoliberal globalization. What are the mechanisms of the transition in post-Mao mainland Chinese cinema from pedagogy to commerce? In what way does the extension of capitalist relations globally enhance or undermine the ability of the state to determine national politics? How does China's development of soft power influence its policy orientation as it undergoes the modernization process? Finally, what are the effects of changing cultural politics on maintaining or developing Chinese cultural identity?
How to contact me: katherkc@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: Located at the heart of the Pacific Rim, USC is the best place to study relations between the two sides, including US-China-Taiwan, US-Japan, and US-Korea—along with other Asia-related issues. The range of academic departments and research programs, along with the variety of faculty and students, make each of us share in this intellectual richness. With the establishment of the USC US-China Institute in 2006, I take full advantage of meeting and discussing with numerous distinguished scholars their core research endeavors and latest findings. It's the place not only to develop yourself professionally, but also to broaden your full array of experiences and opportunities. In this regard, USC's POIR Program has few parallels.
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Name: Nicolas de Zamaróczy
Interests: IR Theory, Critical Security Studies, European Union Foreign Policy, Regional Integration, Cosmopolitanism, Africa
Dissertation topic: I’m a first year student, so I have no idea, but perhaps something lying at the intersection of American and European IR theory.
How to contact me: nicolas.dezamaroczy@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: A very pleasant eclecticism (you can study all fields and all methods here), backed by depth and rigor once you’ve figured out what you want to do, complemented by some of the friendliest professors and grad students I’ve yet to meet. Oh, and the funding is pretty good too.
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Name: Adrián Félix
Interests: International migration; Migrant political transnationalism; Racial and ethnic politics; Identity, culture and politics in rural México
Dissertation topic: Transnational (After)life: Migrant Transnationalism and Engagement in U.S. and Mexican Politics
How to contact me: adrianfe@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR program—and USC more broadly—offers a network of graduate students and faculty working on issues of race, ethnicity, and migration. For students interested in these areas, connecting with such a network in a place like Los Angeles, where these issues intersect in a myriad of ways, presents a great opportunity for innovative and critical social inquiry.
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Name: Eric Hamilton
Interests: International Relations Theory, Security Studies, Foreign Policy Analysis, Comparative Politics in Turkey and the Middle East
Dissertation Topic: I am still a first year student, but in general my dissertation will look at how systemic pressures are filtered through states. I am interested in how this process affects foreign policy outcomes.
How to Contact Me: eric.hamilton@usc.edu
Why I Would Recommend the POIR Program: As an applicant, the reception I received from POIR faculty, staff and students was unparalleled compared to other programs. Faculty members met with me to discuss my research interests; staff explained the strong institutional support I would receive to pursue my research; and students openly shared their experiences. As a first year student, this reception has grown even stronger. As I’ve learned more about the department it is amazing to see the vigorous effort to streamline the PhD program – part of a larger project across USC’s graduate programs. New faculty hires, new research and funding opportunities, new course offerings, and increasingly better incoming classes. It is really an exciting time to be here.
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Name: Jarrod Hayes
Interests: Foreign Policy Analysis and International Security through a constructivist lens
Dissertation topic: Does democratic identity matter in the democratic peace? Looking at how the other is portrayed in a security context as governance changes.
How to contact me: Jarrod.Hayes@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: Choosing a graduate program is a difficult, and ultimately personal, decision. That said, my decision to study at USC in the POIR program has been one of the best life choices I've made. The opportunities graduate students are exposed to (speakers, seminars, conferences), the funding available for research and attending conferences, and, perhaps most importantly, the wonderful faculty, make the POIR program a deeply enriching and empowering graduate experience.
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Name: Parker Hevron
Interests: American Politics, Political Communication, the Presidency
Dissertation Topic: I am only a first-year, but I would eventually like to study the influence of "new" media on civic participation and in the realm of image-building in political campaigns.
How to Contact Me: hevron@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: POIR seems to be a very close-knit group of scholars. The resources of USC and Los Angeles are at your fingertips and the small advisor-to-student ratio makes graduate school feel like a collaborative process.
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Name: Eunice Kang
Interests: At the moment, my three fields of concentration are: East Asian Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Security. I am also interested in international migration. I did my master's thesis on North Korean refugees in China and the inadequacies of international law that allowed these vulnerable people to slip through the cracks of international protection.
Dissertation topic: Even though I entered the program with a master's degree, I'm still just a first-year student, so I don't have a set dissertation topic. I'm still in the exploring stage at this point and everyone tells me that's perfectly appropriate. I've been considering ideas relating to security issues, migration, and nationalism in the East Asia region.
How to contact me: eunicekang83@gmail.com
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I wholeheartedly recommend USC POIR because it is the leading research university in the area of East Asia politics and its relations with the United States. One of the things that attracted me the most to USC was the vast amount of resources that would be available to me. The range of institutes and centers at USC is plentiful- such as the U.S.-China Institute, the Korean Institute and the East Asian Studies Center. Not to mention, the faculty here is extremely approachable and supportive.
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Name: Deniz Kuru
Interests: My research interests converge in the area of IR theory. I am especially interested in the role of dissent and difference in world politics and IR theory, as well as (public) intellectuals and their role in IR and world politics. In this regard, my current emphasis is on the international thought of British political philosopher John Gray. As a second year student, I used the summer interregnum to participate in four conferences in Europe and the US. In two of them, I was simultaneously the panel organizer and chair and presented papers on cities in IR, love and IR, and more generally on the prospects of IR theorizing under conditions of late modernity.
Dissertation topic: Still to be determined, it will deal with IR theory.
How to contact me: deniz.kuru@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: Both USC and distinctly our POIR program offer multiple advantages that transform our PhD studies into years of beneficial experiences. In this regard, the program’s wide-ranging faculty as well as financial support enables the students to gain not only a better knowledge in the relevant subject matters but also to share their work with others in international and national conferences thanks to generous departmental grants. Continuous events in various program-related institutes such as CIS, USCI, etc. allow us to meet not only leading scholars but also to gain the latest insights into the newest academic works. Library capabilities and academic and cultural activities on campus only further this experience.
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Name: Jessica, Chia-yueh, Liao
Interests: Comparative politics (democracy theory and state-society relations), international political economy and area studies (China)
Dissertation topic: Still to be determined
How to contact me: chiayuel@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: USC's POIR Ph.D. program combines a variety of resources not only from the Department of Political Science and the School of International Relations, but also the Annenberg School for Communication and many research institutes such as the US-China Institute, the Center for International Studies and Pacific Council on International Policy, etc. Students have access to faculty, research projects, funding and off-beat knowledge and information. The interactions between the faculty and students are intense and inspiring for students to carry out independent work. The program also encourages advanced studies and academic training in addition to the offerings of the POIR program. I received funding for ICPSR quantitative methodology training in the summer of 2008, pivotal for my future research. There are many more opportunities sponsored by USC institutes and centers made available to students who interested in field research, language acquisition, methodology, internships, etc.
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Name: Nadia Marinova
Interests: Middle East Politics; International Migration
Dissertation topic: House of Lebanon: Political Mobilization of U.S.-Based Lebanese Diaspora
How to contact me: marinova@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The Politics and International Relations Ph.D. program at USC has given me the opportunity to learn and grow, both academically and as a person. I am focusing on area studies—Middle East politics—for my dissertation, and this has been an incredibly rewarding academic experience. There is a variety of concentrations one can choose from in POIR, and the faculty are incredibly supportive. I am also grateful to the Center for International Studies for a grant that has allowed me to gain much-needed Arabic proficiency. Coming to USC is one of the best decisions that I have ever made!
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Name: Jillian Medeiros
Interests: I examine racial and ethnic politics, more specifically the dynamics of Latina/o politics in the United States.
Dissertation topic: California public policies and how these policies represent the interests of the Latino community
How to contact me: jamedeir@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I highly recommend the POIR program. The POIR program at USC gives you the funding and flexibility to succeed in whatever direction you decide to pursue your research agenda. Also, and perhaps more importantly, the faculty is always willing to mentor and be of any help a student might need in their work.
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Name: Jesse J. Mills
Interests: Elections, Voting Behavior, Political Communication and Political Theory.
Dissertation Topic: Polarization in the electorate and its reinforcement through emotionally persuasive campaign messaging.
Current Work and Notables: I recently presented the paper "Intergroup Emotions in the 2008 Presidential Election" (co-authored with Dr. Ann Crigler) at the annual meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology in Dublin, Ireland. I will also be participating in a panel at 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Toronto, chaired by Dr. Crigler, which unites a group of scholars who participated in the 2008 Cooperative Campaign Analysis Project (CCAP) and conducted experiments during the 2008 presidential election season.
Awards: 2007 Department of Political Science Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year
How to contact me: jessemil@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: Our program provides students the opportunities and resources to work closely with nationally recognized scholars, and develop real mentoring relationships on their way to earning a graduate degree. Since beginning my studies at USC, I have consistently enjoyed the benefits of small classes, and individual guidance from my advisers that larger programs cannot match. In addition, the program's generous funding packages allow students to immerse themselves in their studies and focus on their professional development, without outside distraction. Finally, the students attracted to this program are awesome! A brief look in the shared TA offices, or the computer lab, almost always yields a friendly conversation or academic debate, and demonstrates the friendships and camaraderie enjoyed amongst POIR students.
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Name: Ronald Osborn
Interests: Political theory and comparative politics, focusing on politics and religion, conflict studies, and international human rights.
My article "Noam Chomsky and the Realist Tradition" has been accepted
for publication in the *Review of International Studies*. I'll post
the issue date and page numbers when they become available.
Dissertation topic: Political religion theory
How to contact me: rosborn@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: As a POIR student, I have been able to take courses not only in political science and international relations, but also from the Law School and the School of Philosophy, building a truly interdisciplinary program to fit my research interests in political theory, religion, and human rights.
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Name: Cintia Quiliconi
Interests: The political economy of development and international and regional trade negotiations in developing countries and Latin America. See, for example, my recent publications: “The Current Trade Context” with D. Tussie, Background paper for the Human Development Report, Occasional Paper 2005/24; and “China’s Surge in Latin American Markets: Policy Challenges and Responses,” in Politics and Policy, 2007 (1), pp. 410-438.
Dissertation topic: Bilateral trade agreements between the US and Latin American countries, and in particular what role stalemates in the multilateral sphere play in encouraging this sort of agreement. Also: how the proliferation of these agreements is affecting other Latin American countries' negotiating strategies. In addition, I plan to compare the main strategies that Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador followed while they were negotiating with the US, given that each case has produced different outcomes.
How to contact me: quilicon@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I chose POIR because it offers a wide variety of fields that you can major in to complete the program, as we choose three fields of concentration and the program offers more options than the traditional fields in other schools. (I believe that the option to address new fields is very important.) In my case, the program was also suitable because it combines a very experienced and well-known faculty on Latin American issues along with experts on political economy, comparative politics, and trade issues. Since I started the program, the faculty have been extremely open and supportive. I consider one of the main strengths to be that usually classes are quite small and you get to know the professors fairly well. Most of the classes I have taken in POIR have had fewer than 10 students on average, allowing Ph.D. students to have deep discussions and providing the opportunity of a more personal and direct contact with professors. At the same time, the program provides a very solid base in terms of methodology and theoretical courses. Last but not least, the POIR program offers one of the best scholarships packages in the US, providing financial support for five years.
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Name: Zeynep Sahin
Interests: Comparative Politics; Culture, Gender, and Global Society; and International Politics. I am interested in possible binary and triple permutations of three topics: migration, gender, and the state. My regional interests are in the Middle East and Europe.
Dissertation topic: Still to be determined
How to contact me: zsahin@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I would like to say that the POIR program has never disappointed me since the day I decided to apply here. (I am now in my third year). I have had the opportunity to improve my knowledge as well as to increase my motivation as a result of great support from faculty and access to generous resources. I don’t believe that I could have found an alternative environment that would have provided this kind of fabulous academic freedom and high quality of instruction and opportunity.
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Name: Nukhet A. Sandal (2006-'07 President of the Politics and International Relations Graduate Association)
Interests: Ethnoreligious conflicts, religion and politics, nationalism and conflict resolution. My fields are International Politics and Security, and Foreign Policy Analysis. I have studied both Arabic and Hebrew.
Dissertation topic: “The Politics of Interdenominational Conflict”
How to contact me: sandal@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I highly recommend the program to prospective graduate students who are interested in ethnic conflict as well as conflict resolution. The key to my success here has been the unwavering support and professional guidance of the relevant faculty, all of whom are actively publishing and serving in academic organizations in the field. I would advise prospective students to choose a program that can support them fully in financial terms. Without the overall financial package and the support POIR has provided for my language classes, methods training, and field research, it would not have been possible for me to be as prolific as I’m now becoming.
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Name: Ekaterina (Kate) Svyatets
Interests: International Security, International Political Economy, and Foreign Policy Analysis. I am interested in energy security—including nuclear, oil and gas issues—and the interaction of great powers in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.
Dissertation topic: Energy Security of Russia, China and the United States.
How to contact me: svyatets@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR program at USC offers great opportunities for research and professional development, including training in methodology outside of USC, field research abroad, and participation in conferences. The program supports PhD students and provides generous funding for research. The interests of faculty are very diverse, and every student has a wide choice of topics and methodologies to concentrate on. Faculty members work very closely with students and provide excellent guidance.
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Name: Dan Walters
Interests: Law and Public Policy
Dissertation topic: Still to be determined
How to contact me: dewalter@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The USC POIR program is very much a place conducive for success in graduate study. My experiences here have shown me that, unlike at many other larger institutions, you will receive the kind of one-on-one attention from advisers that is invaluable as you begin to do your research. The bottom line is that the professors here want you to succeed in a way that few other faculties are able to claim.
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Name: Jenifer Whitten-Woodring
Interests: Comparative politics, foreign policy analysis, political communication, methodology
Dissertation topic: Fourth Estate, Fifth Column or Megaphone: Media Freedom, Democracy, and Government Respect for Human Rights
Dissertation Committee:
Patrick James (Chair), Ann Crigler, Philip Seib, and Carol Wise
How to contact me: whittenw@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR program provides excellent and rigorous training. The core requirements ensure that those who complete the program will have the skills necessary to be competitive when they hit the job market, but beyond the core requirements, one of the qualities that I like most about this program is that it is flexible and can be tailored it to fit your interests. Our faculty have a wide range of interests and areas of expertise, and we also have the opportunity to work with faculty in other prestigious programs at USC. Additionally, POIR provides generous funding for us to attend conferences and to take advantage of methods and language training programs offered nationally and internationally.
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Name: Lisa S. Ybarra
Interests: Emotion and Politics; Neuropolitics; Identity Formation among Latinos in the U.S.
Dissertation topic: Still to be formally determined
How to contact me: lsybarra@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR Ph.D. program here at USC not only provides core training in political science and international relations, but also gives students the opportunity to work and study under many of the most talented scholars in the country. Having the ability to have such an experience allows graduate students to have first-hand knowledge in conducting and publishing research. I believe that such an opportunity places POIR graduate students a step ahead of many of our colleagues in other institutions. Our faculty also spends a lot of time helping us develop and define our ideas. We are comfortable sharing our concerns and issues with them freely. In addition, the graduate students in the program really take the time to get together outside of the university to discuss ideas and get to know one another on a level beyond just academics.
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Name: Jeanine E. Yutani
Interests: Culture, Gender, and Global Society; Comparative Politics; East Asia (China and Japan)
Dissertation topic: Still to be determined, but my research focuses on gender-related issues in China, Japan and Taiwan. I'm focusing in particular on formal and informal migration practices between Southeast Asia and Taiwan, including areas of women's security (physical, economic, educational, social, political, sexual); the influence of social networks in migration; and the role of NGO's and local/state/international institutions in the lives of the women who migrate. Additional interests include how local, state, and international policies affect the lives of Southeast and East Asian women, and how social, political, and economic upheavals impact their lives.
How to contact me: yutani@usc.edu
Why I would recommend USC POIR: With resources such as the USC US-China Institute and the Pacific Council on International Policy, as well as a well-rounded faculty with diverse interests in East Asia and Culture, Gender, and Global Society, both of these subfields within USC's POIR program are exceptionally well-developed and usually have a wide variety of coursework available each semester. For example, current POIR faculty and students in these subfields have research interests in everything from the social and economic complexities of China's "rise," to Japanese politics and foreign policy, to inter-regional and international migration, to nationalism and democracy in China, to Japan's multi-faceted relationships with Latin America and Africa, to feminist IR theory and bringing gender and culture into the field of politics and international relations...and much more.
