|
|
|
Current Update.PPOL Update April 3, 2006:PPOL Students: Here’s the latest Update concerning PPOL-related issues. 7—Graduate Student Research Fair
On
Thursday, April 13, our chapter of ASPA will be taking a tour of the new
ImaginOn center located downtown.
The tour is
limited to 25, so ASPA members will be given first priority for this tour.
Members, please RSVP as soon as possible so I can begin to let guests who are
interested know if spots are still available. Students are encouraged to join
the organization, of course. We will meet at 11:45am at the
Summer registration continues. Here’s a reminder of the summer PPOL schedule. These both run in the 10-week summer session from 5/22-8/10: PPOL 8622 W 3:00-5:50 Qualitative Analysis in Public Policy Leland PPOL 8630 R 3:00-5:50 Advanced Program Evaluation Manuel In addition to the courses we are offering in the MPA program, there may be other courses that might make for appropriate tools skills courses, depending on the student’s career interests. Review the summer catalog of offerings and work with your advisors to determine if any of these might be right for your training. Also, several of you have expressed an interest in taking a course in Econometrics (see #3 below). If you are planning on doing this, you must have sufficient mathematical background for this course. The most important mathematical skill you might be needing to brush up on prior to econometrics is matrix algebra. The summer would be an excellent opportunity to at least sit in on a course in which these skills are a significant focus. Fall registration starts tomorrow, April 5th. You should have received several emails from the university explaining the new way registration will be operating for the fall registration using a new system. If you have problems with the new system, be sure to use their help line (704) 687-6400. The PPOL program will once again be offering a full spate of courses. Below is an updated (though still tentative) listing of PPOL courses. Before registering, remember that first year students should take advantage of their advisors and consult with them to make sure the most expeditious path through the program is being taken. CORE PPOL 8600 Policy Process Manuel (POLS) W 3:00-5:50 PPOL 8620 Quantitative Analysis I Bjerregaard (CJUS) T 3:00-5:50 PPOL 8640 Economic Analysis I Schwartz (ECON) R 6:00-8:50 PPOL 8690 Seminar in Public Policy Swindell (PPOL) F 3:00-5:00 URBAN POL 8613 Transportation Policy Hauser (GEOG) M 6:00-8:50 PPOL 8642 Regional Economic Development Campbell (GEOG) R 3:00-5:50 PPOL 8617 Law & Management Christensen (POLS) T 2:00-4:50 SOCIAL PPOL 8000/SOCY 6090 Topics in Public Policy: Social Movts. Fitzgerald (SOCY) TR 3:30-4:45 PPOL 8000/SOCY 6651 Topics in Public Policy: Social Theory Webster (SOCY) W 6:00-8:45 PPOL 8682/SOCY 6616 Stratification & Social Policy Moller (SOCY) R 6:00-8:45 JUSTICE PPOL 8672 Theories of Crime and Justice TBA TBA HEALTH PPOL 8665/HSRD 8003 Analytic Epidemiology Huber (HLTH) T 3:30-6:15 PPOL 8669 Investigating Health & Health Services Scheid (SOCY) TBA ENVIRONMENT PPOL 8613 Transportation Policy Hauser (GEOG) M 6:00-8:50 OTHER ELECTIVE BPHD 8120* Econometrics McGregor (ECON) MW 2:00-3:15 PPOL 8000/GEOG 6130 3D Visualization of Geographic Info Lee (GEOG) T 5:30-8:20 PPOL 8625/GEOG 6615 Adv. Sem on Spatial Decision Systems Xiang (GEOG) R 5:00-8:00 PPOL 8801 Dissertation (1-9 hrs) Swindell (PPOL) TBA PPOL 8802 Dissertation Residence (1 hr) Swindell (PPOL) TBA
* See the comment in #2 above for pre-requisite work you might want to so prior to joining this class. You are welcome to talk to Dr. McGregor about pre-requisites if you are concerned that your math skills might not be up to the level necessary for such a course. Here’s what he told me: “I will be expecting students who enroll in the course to have a solid background in probability and statistics and linear regression analysis, as well as some familiarity with matrix algebra.”
As many
of you know, PPOL’s current location in the
There is a reasonable chance that we will lose this issue and have to relocate. Even if we win and we get to stay, I will be moving there in May or June. That means there will be shifting of offices. I would ask that all of you there in the PPOL suite be flexible and able to move if/when it becomes necessary. If you will not be working on campus over the summer, I would like to ask that you remove your materials from the office space as I would not want to have to move your belongings in your absence if something happened to them (moving is not always the smoothest operation!). I will keep everyone apprised of the developments on this front as I learn our fate. The next PPOL Brown Bag lunch will be on TUESDAY, April 18 at noon in the Political Science conference room. This is a different day than the last couple of times, but other events prevent us from our normal time. Also, this will be different in that there will be only one presentation (by Barbara John). She will present her paper in the first half of the session and the second half will be a student meeting to determine new officers for the PPOL student organization. This is *very* important since this organization is our connection to the GPSA, which is the group that provides us additional travel and activity support for PPOL students. Please plan on joining us for this brown bag!
James
Kahn of If you are interested in attending and would like a copy of the paper he will be presenting, let me know and I will email it to you. 7—Graduate Student Research Fair
Some of
the PPOL students will be participating in this year’s research fair. The
fair will be this Saturday, from 8am-5pm in the
This is something a little different, but might appeal to budding public administrators and policy wonks. This is a new documentary (details below) that recently opened and is currently playing at the Ballantyne Village Theater on the south side. Here’s the blurb, but if you would like the press packet that goes along with it (sent to MPA programs across the country), let me know and I will forward that to you. Here’s the synopsis: WHY WE FIGHT, the new film by Eugene Jarecki which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, is an unflinching look at the anatomy of the American war machine, weaving unforgettable personal stories with commentary by a "who's who" of military and beltway insiders. Featuring John McCain, William Kristol, Chalmers Johnson, Gore Vidal, Richard Perle and others, 'Why We Fight' launches a bipartisan inquiry into the workings of the military industrial complex and the rise of the American Empire.
Inspired by Dwight Eisenhower's legendary farewell speech (in which he coined
the phrase "military industrial complex"), filmmaker Jarecki ("The Trials of
Henry Kissinger") surveys the scorched landscape of a half-century's military
adventures, asking how – and telling why – a nation of, by, and for the people
has become the savings-and-loan of a system whose survival depends on a state
of constant war. The Center for Applied Professional Ethics here at UNCC will be hosting a public lecture entitled "On Being Morally Challenged by Collective Memories: Theoretical and Policy Issues" at 4:00 pm on April 11th in the Cone Lucas Room 341. I believe those of you in Dr. Tong class will also be attending the luncheon earlier that afternoon. PPOL students are encouraged to attend as this will illustrate the applied side of some of our ethical discussions raised in the various PPOL courses.
The
ARNOVA Online Abstract Submission System for the 35th Annual ARNOVA
Conference, to be held November 16-18 in
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for this conference, please let me know and I will send you the full proposal instruction announcement.
PPOL
students Ashley Dunham and Sat Ananda Hayden have had proposals accepted for
presentation at this year’s
PPOL
students Stephanie Potochnick and Stephanie Southworth presented their
respective works at last week’s Southern Sociological Society Conference in
PPOL student Barbara John presented her work at the recent Student Conference of the American Association of Geographers.
PPOL
student Dustin Read presented his work as last week’s North Carolina Political
Science Association meeting in
Finally, PPOL student Yoshiko Takahashi successfully completed the comprehensive exams (writtens and oral) and has advanced to ABD status in the program (all-but-dissertation). Congrats to all the PPOL students above for a very productive month!
I am still working on the assistantship arrangements for next year. I will be updating each of you individually as the pieces of the funding puzzle for next year falls into place.
Business
and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI) is offering a fellowship
working in the social and urban policy fields in
The
Program in Statistics and Methodology (PRISM) in the Department of Political
Science at The Ohio State University is offering a one-year postdoctoral
fellowship for scholars with Ph.Ds whose strengths lie in statistical
methodology, whose substantive interests lie in any substantive field, and
whose training may go beyond political science. The fellow will teach,
provide consultation on advanced methods for faculty and graduate students,
present their current research, and collaborate with faculty members on
projects as desired. Teaching responsibilities are negotiable. The
appointment begins September 2006 and can be a 9 or 12 month appointment.
Applicants should send a curriculum vita, three letters of recommendation, a
writing sample, syllabi and teaching evaluations, and a personal statement
their training and research in quantitative methods, teaching interests, and
computer skills to Jan Box-Steffensmeier, Department of Political Science,
2140 Derby Hall, 154 N. Oval Mall,
Lots more jobs have come across my desk, illustrative of the types of positions you might should be considering as you progress through the program. The first one is with one of the PPOL faculty and could start soon (good for funding and financial support from the program if you take it).
Dr. David Hartgen
is looking for a student to assist in the conduct of a
study of traffic congestion in NC.
This study is a take-off of a larger study of congestion nationwide, which he
is just now completing. The NC study will review congestion trends in the
cities of
The
Center for Survey Research at
Email CV and 3 references to twalker@shawu.edu.
Policy Analyst HUD Positions Position: PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST Series & Grade: GS-0301-09/11 Promotion Potential: 11 Salary: 44,856.00 - 70,558.00 USD Annually GS-09- $44,856.00 - $58,318.00 Per Annum; GS-11 - $54,272.00 - $70,558.00 Per Annum
Duty
Locations: 1 vacancy -
Major Duties The incumbent of this position will be responsible for assisting in the development of program and technical policies, procedures and standards relating to reporting and reviews of grantee performance. Provides database system support services for the Disaster Recovery Grant reporting and related and successor systems. Prepare correspondence, such as acknowledgement letters, request for additional information and transmittal memoranda that may require researching and extracting information from files and records to fill in references and dates relating to the issue. Make preparation for training sessions, including preparation of material on CDBG regulations and policies, and make logistical arrangements. Conducts appropriate tracking and follow-up, and maintains a status report for the supervisor and division staff. Manage paperwork and files for the Division. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-09 Experience that reflects candidates knowledge of Federal programs and regulations, directives and handbooks pertaining to community planning as well as a knowledge of the procedures and requirements as they relate to the maintenance of records, preparation of statistical and budget reports, and ability to solve administrative problems, as well as knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and style. A qualified typist is required. GS-11 Experience that reflects candidates knowledge and skill in researching various Federal program policies, in addition to, procedural requirements as they relate to Federal Grant Assistance. Ability to analyze data and provide recommendations on findings which are directly related to competition management and financial systems for Federal programs. Requires a comprehensive knowledge of the provisions for major Federal programs targeted to individuals with special needs. This knowledge includes the related laws, regulations, operating policies, and performance reporting requirements. Education Substitution: It is REQUIRED that official transcripts must be provided when substitution of education is being used. GS-09 - Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. GS-11 - Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading Please visit http://www.usajobs.opm.gov for more details. Bureau of Economic Analysis The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is looking for new employees to add to our staff. While they are hiring for a number of different positions at a variety of levels, they are particularly interested in adding entry-level statisticians and math statisticians to our team. In addition to offering the opportunity to perform cutting-edge, data-driven work that impacts the economy at home and around the world, some of the other benefits BEA has to offer include:
To find our more about our statistician and math statistician job vacancies, and all of our other vacancies, please log onto www.BEA.gov and select “Jobs” from the blue box on the left side of the screen.
Dr. David
Swindell, Assoc. Professor & Director Previous PPOL Updates:
|
|
|