2008 Conference

Panel 1A: Comparative Analyses of American Policies

1st Floor West Lounge
Chair: Matt Rotman, Illinois State University
Discussant: Adrienne Martin, Illinois State University

• Michael Melick, Illinois State University

  Education and the Economy: The United States and China

• Andrea Silva, Illinois State University

  The United States and Mexico: A Comparative Analysis of State Response to Migration

• Kara Bavery, Illinois State University

  Party Politics in Japan and the United States: The Domination of Major Parties after World War II

• Jonathan Keyser, Suffolk University

  Aiding Violence? U.S. Foreign Policy and Paramilitaries in Colombia

Panel 1B: War and Peace

Spotlight Room
Chair: Jessica Murphy, Illinois State University
Discussant: Vanda Rajcan, Illinois State University

• Joseph Scanlon, Northern Illinois University

  "Counter Measures:" A Textual Analysis of the Soviet Union's Invasion of Afghanistan

• Mark A. Tallman, Illinois State University

  War by Other Means: Nonviolence as an Extension of Asymmetric Conflict

• Matt Frierdich, Drury University

  Oaxaca and the Political Culture of Conflict

• Yusei Uji, Drury University

  The Fundamental Dilemmas of the United Nations: Challenges for the New UN in the 21st Century

Panel 1C: The War in Iraq and its Impact in the United States

Founders Suite
Chair: Robert Nash, Illinois State University
Discussant: Amanda Smith, DePaul University

• Trina Steinmaker, Northern Illinois University

  How Does the United States do it?: Managing a Framework that Supports Torture

• Tanya R Austin, Illinois State University

  Winter Soldier Iraq and Afghanistan: Veterans Speak Out **

• Kevin Taber, Washington University in St. Louis

  "Jus ad Water": Can the Invasion of Iraq Withstand the Deluge of Just War Theory?

Panel 2A: Policy Analysis

Founders Suite
Chair: Carlyn Jorgensen, Suffolk University
Discussant: Anthony Bolton, Illinois State University

• Maren Bennett, University of Nevada

  Disability Policy

• Ayelet Haran, The City College of New York, The City University of New York

  National Identity Changing in France: a Case Study of the CAP Wine Reform

• Rike Rothenstein, University Of Cincinnati

  Are voters Going Green? The Environmental Issue and its Influence on Vote Choice in National Elections

• Ryan M Yonk, Utah State University

  Perpetuating Poverty; Income and Asset Testing in Welfare Programs

Panel 2B: American Foreign Policy

Spotlight Room
Chair: Justin W. Thompson, Illinois State University
Discussant: Joseph Scanlon, Northern Illinois University

• Kate Ellis, Suffolk University

  On the Home Front Abroad: Domestic Political Influences on Foreign Policy with Cuba

• Amanda Smith, DePaul University

  The Incubator: American Foreign Policy: The Afghanistan War and Al-Qaeda

• Cain Harrelson, The University of Georgia

  The Diplomatic Face of America: Promoting Diversity in the U.S. Foreign Service

Panel 2C: The Struggle for Democracy Around the World

First Floor West Lounge
Chair: Kristen Gjerde, Illinois State University
Discussant: Kathy Elrick, Illinois State University

• Alcarcilus C. Shelton-Boodram, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

  Social Movements and Democratization: The Struggle for Recognition

• Sterling Recker, University of Missouri - St. Louis

  Land Policies in Rwanda: An Historical Evaluation of Democracy and Conflict

• Warsame Galaydh, Carleton College

  Thailand: Transitioning to a Liberal Democracy?

• Neil Wright, Northerm Illinois

  ALBA: Can Cooperation Revive History?.

Luncheon 12:00 to 12:30pm
Circus Room

(for participants)

Keynote Speaker (12:30-1:15)
Circus Room

(open to the public)

"Same-Sex Marriage as a Case for Political Science"

Jason A. Pierceson
Assistant Professor of Political Studies/Legal Studies
University of Illinois Springfield

Panel 3A: Political Theory

Spotlight Room
Chair: Amanda Conley, Illinois State University
Discussant: Neil Wright, Northern Illinois University

• Joanna K. Rozpedowski, University of South Florida

  From Cosmopolis to Globopolis: The Ramifications of Kantian Thought on the Foundations of the World Order – Communitarianism, Impartialism, Accommodationism.

• Kimberly Casey, University of Missouri-St. Louis

  Defining Political Capital: A Reconsideration of Bourdieu's Interconvertibility Theory

• Erin M. McCullough, University of South Carolina-Aiken

  Limitation and Reform: Leo Strauss' Interpretation and Analysis of Plato's Republic

Panel 3B: Ethnic and Sectarian Conflict

First Floor West Lounge
Chair: Sterling Recker, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Discussant: Michael Bottomley, Illinois State University

• Nilüfer Duygu Eriten and Jennifer Romine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Instrumental and Symbolic Sources of Ethnic Conflict: Application to the Kurdish Conflict in Turkey

• Adrienne E. Martin, Illinois State University

  Does Democracy Heal All Wounds? A Comparative Study of Two Democracies Reconciling with Their Indigenous Populations after Centuries of Ethnocide

• Richard Saunders, Hanover College

  Secularism and Islam in the Republic of Turkey

Panel 3C: Quantitative Analyses of Political Participation and Liberty

Founders Suite
Chair: Jake Owen, Illinois State University
Discussant: Tanya Austin, Illinois State University

• Nate Ramsey, University of Cincinnati

  Community Context and Political Participation

• Jeremy Bowling, Eastern Illinois University

  Economic Growth and Political Liberty: A Post- 1980 Analysis

• Deidre L. Conklin, The University of Texas at El Paso

  The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Political Participation: A Multi-National Analysis

Panel 4A: Political and Policy Effects of Media

Founders Suite
Chair: Zach Wolfe
Discussant: Kara Bavery

• Carlyn Jorgensen, Suffolk University

  Breaking News:The "CNN Effect" and Its Impact on American Foreign Policy.

• Sharlin Aldao, Eastern Illinois University

  WARNING: This Ad May Impair Your Ability to Think: An Examination of the 2004 Negative Presidential Campaign Ads

• Kristi St. Charles, Northwestern University

  Framing and Debates: The Effects of Media Coverage on Candidate Evaluations

Panel 4B: Human Rights

Founders Suite
Chair: Emily Wittrig, Illinois State University
Discussant: Lindsey Barber, Illinois State University

• Caroline Grygorasz, Ryerson University

  The Plight of the Niger Delta: Human Rights Abuses in Stark Contrast to a Multi-Billion Dollar Economy.

• Allison Rief, Hanover College

  Refugees: Gender Differences

• Jillian Simonetta, The University of Tampa

  Policy Outcome of Norms

• Jessica Murphy, Illinois State University

  From Ashes: A Comparative Study of Human Rights in Cambodia