Intended to prepare students from the greater Boston area for their presentations or panels at the International Studies Association (ISA) 58th Annual Convention to be held in Baltimore later this month, the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies hosted local scholars to exhibit current research or to deliver papers related to the convention’s theme of “Understanding Change in World Politics.”
Students and faculty from across New England who are presenting at ISA as well as students who had research related to international relations were invited to present. Nine PhD students participated in the event ̶ predominantly women and including international students from Afghanistan, Columbia, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Continue Reading →
A recent Boston Globe columnist, reporting on President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in the White House, described recent events as “a cavalcade of controversies.” What an astute (and alliterative) observation.
As part of encouraging broader discussions of this new policy landscape, the McCormack Graduate School recently partnered with the College of Liberal Arts at UMass Boston to host two policy roundtables to discuss President Trump’s domestic and foreign policy agendas.
We invite you to read about our analyses, watch the videos, and engage in the national chatter by sharing your comments on this blog.
The Trump Administration: Domestic Policy Roundtable
by Justin Maher McCormack Graduate School Dean’s Office
Tuesday night, President Obama took the stage to deliver his farewell address. In it, he painted an optimistic portrait of a nation filled with promise and people of all political stripes ready to continue to fight for an inclusive democracy. He also acknowledged that “our political dialogue has become so corrosive that people of good character aren’t even willing to enter into public service.” That frightening proposition, echoed by polls that show the steady and alarming decline of trust in government, deserves serious reflection.
As the assistant dean for academic programs at McCormack, I spend a good chunk of time talking to prospective students investigating graduate school. There are a myriad of reasons why they choose to pursue graduate study. Some are coming from a bachelor’s program and want to continue to specialize in a field they are passionate or curious about. Others are seasoned professionals ready for a career change or new skills. But, in addition to the personal and professional benefits, they are united by a commitment to improving their local and global communities. Continue Reading →
by Paul Kowert Graduate Program in International Relations
During an election season when both major party candidates are plagued by historic levels of unpopularity, Clint Eastwood’s new movie is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, we yearn for a hero, and Capt. Chesley Sullenberger fits the bill. He had the right stuff to set US Airways Flight 1549 safely down in the Hudson River on a cold January afternoon in 2009. If only our politicians had the same skill. Yet in politics, and in aviation, having the right stuff is not quite what it seems in the movies.
by David W. Cash, Dean
John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies
Dig beneath the headlines that track the presidential campaigns and you find policy proposals, each of which has real and lasting impact on people–their jobs, communities, livelihoods, and security.
Intended to prepare students from the greater Boston area for their presentations or panels at the International Studies Association (ISA) 58th Annual Convention to be held in Baltimore later this month, the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies hosted local scholars to exhibit current research or to deliver papers related to the convention’s theme of “Understanding Change in World Politics.”
