This summer w
e’re providing a unique opportunity for students to gain credit while also working on election-related activities such as working on a campaign, working on campaign coverage in the news, or investigating particular issues that arise during the campaign season. In the course TPOLS 405 Advanced Elections and Campaigns taught by Prof. Ben Gonzalez, you’ll learn about the rules and organization of political campaigns, and examine the role of media and campaign finance in the outcome of elections. PPE and Law and Policy students can also use this class to meet capstone requirements! For more information, email Ben Gonzalez at bfg@uw.edu.
Tag Archives: Education
From Tacoma to Bishkek: PPPA students experience internships
Lester Burkes, intern for Sen. Sheldon
This winter was a busy time for student internships. Eleven of our students won spots in the prestigious Washington State Legislative Internship program in Olympia – which meant once again UW Tacoma sent more students to participate in this program than did any other school in the state. Students interned with senators and representatives during the past legislative session. In addition to their office work, interns participated in weekly academic seminars and workshops, met with state officials, took part in a budget exercises, and participated in mock hearings and mock floor debates. Many also had opportunities to shadow an elected official or administrator of a state agency, and take a trip to Victoria, B.C. to compare law making in Canada with law making in the US. Seven other PPPA students interned for members of the US Congress here in Tacoma (Rep. Derek Kilmer) and Seattle (Sen. Patty Murray), while three went to Washington, DC to work for Rep. Kilmer, Rep. Adam Smith, and Sen. Maria Cantwell. One other intern worked at Joint Base Ft. Lewis-McChord, and a final was the ASUWT representative in Olympia.
Brandon Bannister debating on the Senate fl
Michael in Bishkek
- Global Studies major Kristie Weisert interned for Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles. While sitting at the Senator’s desk, she remarked that “my Senator makes me feel like I could actually be a Senator one day!”
My-Le Tang with Gov. Inslee
This quarter also saw one of our students, Michael Wotherspoon (a senior, majoring in Law and Policy) intern in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He is still there studying Russian and writing for Spektator Magazine, a publication that reports on Central Asian affairs. Our man in Bishkek is writing articles about democratic reform and freedom of religion in the Kyrgyz Republic — a topic he’ll share with us during a May 29th seminar.
Two faculty members to join PPPA
IAS recently hired two new faculty members who will join PPPA faculty next year. Sarah Hampson will be joining us to teach courses in public law. She is currently finishing up her PhD. in Political Science at the University of Connecticut, and her specialty is in Law and Society, with a special interest in policies around a work/life balance. She is interested in connecting big questions in law and society with practical public policies. She is also interested in politics, women in the military, and race and ethnicity in American Politics. “I am very excited to be joining UW Tacoma this fall, and I look forward to teaching courses in public law, including Law in Society, Constitutional Law, and Law and Public Policy.”
Elizabeth Bruch is our new expert in human rights. She earned a law degree from the University
of Wisconsin, has a PhD in sociology from the University of British Columbia, and will be teaching courses primarily in the area of human rights. Her research focuses on international law and policy, human rights, and humanitarian intervention. Having worked as a human rights lawyer before she began teaching, Elizabeth brings this perspective to her classes and scholarship. “I am looking forward to joining the PPPA Division of IAS this coming fall. My family and I will be moving to the Tacoma area from Vancouver, BC, Canada, and we are excited to explore another part of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.” Next year she will be teaching International Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, International Law and International Organizations.
Three faculty gain new positions
Our loss is so
meone else’s gain. Three of our faculty members will be leaving at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. Prof. Michael Zbaraschuck (left), a lecturer in Religious Studies, has been teaching for us for three years. He has just been awarded a tenure track position down the road at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). “Although I’m excited to pursue new professional opportunities at PLU
, I’ll miss my students and colleagues here at UW Tacoma.” Prof. Daniel Bennett (right) also gained a tenure track position in Political Science at Eastern Kentucky University. Dan is teaching public law classes for us this year, and commented: “I have relished the opportunity to teach at UW Tacoma, mainly because of the students — the diversity of backgrounds, 
experiences, and perspectives I have encountered in the classroom is incredible.” Finally, Brad McHose (left) recently accepted a Visiting Scholar position at the Center for Ethics in Society at Stanford University, and will be heading south this summer. Brad has taught courses in ethics and philosophy for us over the last two years. We will miss all three of them, but wish them well with their new positions.
Annual internship and PPPA paper prize event
Scheduled for April 30 during the lunch hour, our annual internship event offers a chance for faculty and students to hear about our students’ internship experiences over the year. This event is also coupled with the announcement of our annual paper prize competition winner. This award goes to the student chosen by faculty for having written the best capstone paper. Last year, the award went to Arianna Shorey (right) who last month presented her paper to faculty and students during a lunch hour seminar. Previous winners and their papers can be found in UW Tacoma’s Digital Commons collection.
Alumni writes wildfire law
Last year, UW Tacoma alum Anna Freudenberg, a graduate of the Washington State Legislative Internship program and currently a Willamette Law School student, worked with other law students to write and then lobby a bill through the Oregon Legislature. The bill enacts measures to reduce wildfires, and last year it became law in Oregon. Anna remarked that “Without having gained all the experience I gained while interning with the Washington State Senate, I am not sure if this would have still been possible.” To her surprise, this year her and her colleagues’ bill was introduced into the Washington Legislature, and on January 17th it advanced to the House floor for discussion.
Relaunching of student club
This winter, the Politics Philosophy & Economics club voted in a new set of officers (left). The club’s mission is to provide a venue for students to explore their interests in anything related to politics, philosophy or economics, and to provide students with experiences and resources that aren’t available in the classroom setting. For more information, contact the new club president, Nicholas Eutsler (eutslern@uw.edu)
Spring class: run Washington, DC
This spring, PPPA is offering a new course on the United States Congress (TPOLS 353). It provides
a unique learning opportunity by engaging students in an actual simulation of a legislative session through the use of specialized computer software. Students will be assigned to committees, will debate issues, and will hold votes. Some days will be designated for committee work, while others will be used to elect “legislators” to positions, vote on bills, allow for floor speeches, debate legislation, and so on. Through this hands-on experience, students will gain an appreciation for how the U.S. Congress functions. The course is offered Monday & Wednesday 10:20-12:25. Contact Prof. Ben Gonzalez for more information (bfg@uw.edu).
Study abroad in China this summer
This summer, UW Tacoma students will be joining Professor Mary Hanneman (PPPA) and Professor Yi Li (Tacoma Community College) on a four-week study abroad program to Lanzhou, China. Students will study Mandarin Chinese along with Chinese history and culture for three weeks at Lanzhou University. The study abroad program will conclude with a one-week trip to the ancient Silk Road city of Dunhuang, site of some of early Chinese Buddhism’s most important grotto murals, followed by a two-day stay in the vibrant Chinese capital of Beijing. If you are interested in signing up, contact Mary Hanneman (hanneman@uw.edu).
UW Tacoma’s Pre-Law Society gets in gear
For those students considering law school–no matter the interest level–UW Tacoma’s Pre-Law Society (PLS) can be a valuable resource. This year the PLS is led by PPPA students Chelsea Hager and Brian Holden, and has been active in sponsoring law-related events. Last fall, Ann Kitchel, Assistant Professor at Willamette University College of Law, visited with PLS members, engaged them in a mock law school class and answered questions about the law school admissions process. Speaking about her visit, Brian Holden noted “I didn’t realize how much work applying to law school would be.”
Want more information? Check out the PLS on DawgDen, or contact Chelsea Hager (hagerc2@uw.edu) or Brian Holden (bch9@uw.edu).