News & Events

Student Research at Political Science Conference

Dr. Angela High-Pippert’s POLS 404: Seminar in American Politics students presented their work at the Minnesota Political Science Association Conference in November 2012.  Political science majors Kesha Berg, Karlie Eaton, John Lauer, Nick Chang, and David Brandes presented their research papers from a previous course, POLS 301: American Political Behavior.  The students worked in teams to integrate the strengths of each of their papers into one poster session presentation.  They had very professional posters and polished presentations, and were able to answer questions about their work and engage with political scientists from across the state.  Having all of her seminar students participating in the conference was a dream come true for Dr. High-Pippert.  Plus, they were able to meet and have their picture taken with Senator Amy Klobuchar, the keynote speaker.

Upper left photo: POLS 404 student Kesha Berg, Karlie Eaton, Dr. High-Pippert, Senator Amy Klobuchar, John Lauer, David Brandes, and Nick Chang.

Upper right photo: John Lauer and Nick Change with their poster at the MNPSA Conference, 2012.

Lower left: Kesha Berg and Karlie Eaton discuss their research with MNPSA Board Member Jim NIkolai, a graduate of the UST political science department (2004).

Lower right: Kesha Berg and Karlie Eaton with their poster at the MNPSA Conference 2012. 

Dr. Renee Buhr

Dr. Renee Buhr’s article, “Seizing the Opportunity: Euroscepticism and Extremist Party Success in the Post-Maastricht Era” will be published in the October 2012 issue of Government and Opposition.  This research examines the link between increasing popular opposition to deeper European integration in EU member states and the ways in which this opposition may have favored radical right and far left parties in certain national legislative elections.

Dr. Buhr attended the Association for the Study of Nationalities World Convention in April 2012.  She presented a paper on Belarusian and Lithuanian youth identity that was coauthored with Dr. Steven Hoffman of the political science department and a colleague in Belarus, Dr. Marharyta Fabrykant.  

Dr. Arijit Mazumdar

Dr. Mazumdar is currently working on a book manuscript on India’s relations with its South Asian neighbors, under contract with FirstForumPress/Lynne Rienner Publishers. He has received research grants from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Faculty Development, University of St. Thomas to work on this project during 2012. His manuscript titled “India’s regional policy: New approach, old strategy will be published in Contemporary Politics in September 2012. His manuscript titled “Indian General Elections 2009: The Myth of the ‘National’ Verdict”, was published by the Journal of Asian and African Studies in February 2012. Another manuscript titled, “India’s search for a post-Cold War foreign policy: Domestic constraints and obstacles”, was published in June 2011 by India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs.

He presented a paper titled “India in South Asia: Regional Hegemony in the Twenty-First Century” at the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs (MCAA) annual conference in St. Paul, Minnesota in October, 2011. He also presented a paper titled “Stability and longevity of coalition governments in India” at the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) annual conference in Chicago, Illinois in April, 2011. In November, 2010, he presented a paper titled “India’s search for a post-Cold War foreign policy: Constraints and obstacles” at the International Studies Association (ISA) Midwest annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri in November, 2010.

Dr. Mazumdar was recently invited to become a guest contributor for The Diplomat, an online news affairs magazine on the Asia-Pacific region published from Tokyo, Japan. He is currently a member of the executive board of the Minnesota Political Science Association (MNPSA) and member of the Grievance Committee at University of St. Thomas in addition to faculty advisor to the University’s Chi Theta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.

Dr. Steve Hatting

Steve Hatting is the UST Pre-Law Advisor and Faculty Advisor to the Pre-Law Society.  He is also Director of the Legal Studies Program.  The University of St. Thomas Law School hosted the Fifth Annual Hatting Invitational Mock Trial Tournament in January 2012.  A UST team won second place at the event.
 

Recent Publications by our Faculty

Peters, Michael, Shane Fudge, Steven M. Hoffman, and Angela High-Pippert. 2012 "Carbon Management, Local Governance, and Community Engagement." Carbon Management (August).

Hoffman, Steven M. and Angela High-Pippert, 2010. "From Private Lives to Collective Action: Recruitment and Participation Incentives for a Community Energy Program. Energy Policy. Special Issue: Low Carbon Communities (December).

The Model UN Team from UST

The UST Model United Nations team attended the American Model United Nations International Conference in Chicago from November 19-22, 2011. The team represented Chile this year on a number of General Assembly committees as well as the Economic and Social Council, the World Health Assembly, and the Historical Security Council of 2003. The team delivered strong performances in all all the committees, drafting, debating, and passing a number of resolutions on topics ranging from durgs and human trafficking interdiction to humanitarian relief during the Iraq war. The Historical Security Council delegation was further honored with the "Outstanding Delegation" award for their portrayal of Chile in the lead up to the Iraq war.  Renee Buhr, Ph.D., advisor.