News and Notes

Jonathan Kirshner named inaugural Giffuni Professor

Professor of Political Science and International Studies Jonathan Kirshner, whose research and teaching draw on an expansive synthesis of international relations, political economy, the politics of money and finance, and politics and film, has been appointed as the inaugural Vincent Q. and Mary Ann Giffuni Professor at Boston College. The professorship was established by a gift from the Giffunis to recognize a faculty member whose study in the field of economics integrates with today’s relevant social issues.

Stacie Kent Publishes New Book on Coercive Commerce

Stacie Kent, Assistant Professor of International Studies and History, published a new book in December titled "Coercive Commerce: Global Capital and Imperial Governance at the End of the Qing Empire." Based on extensive research conducted with British and Chinese government archives, Coercive Commerce shows how commercial treaties and the regulatory regime that grew out of them catalyzed a revised arts of governance in Qing-administered China.

Prof. Jonathan Kirshner Giving 15th Annual Waltz Lecture

Jonathan Kirshner, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College, was invited to give the 15th Annual Kenneth N. Waltz Lecture in International Relations at Columbia University on November 21st. The lecture, titled "Listening to Thucydides: Contingency, Chance, and Catastrophe in Contemporary World Politics," will be delivered in person. It will revisit Thucydides’ brilliant, sprawling, epic history of the Peloponnesian War.

Prof. Elizabeth Prodromou's New Article For Aegean Monthly

Elizabeth Prodromou, Visiting Professor in International Studies at Boston College, wrote an article recently published in The Aegean Monthly. The article, titled "Commemorations and Cultural Heritage at 50 Years of the Partition of Cyprus," explores the pattern of cultural heritage destruction perpetrated by the Turkish occupation troops and the local Turkish-Cypriot administration in occupied Cyprus.

Read the article here:

https://aegeanmonthly.com/2024/08/21/commemorations-and-cultural-heritage-at-50-years-of-the-partition-of-cyprus/

Ingu Hwang discusses South Korea's political crisis in Q&A

In a Boston College Chronicle Q&A, University Communications' Phil Gloudemans discusses the South Korean crisis with Ingu Hwang, an associate professor of the practice in the International Studies Program, and the leader of the Global Korea Project and author of the book Human Rights and Transnational Democracy in South Korea. In this Q&A, Hwang discusses the prosecution of President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges that he orchestrated a rebellion when he declared martial law on December 3. 

Fall 2024 Welcome Back Social

The International Studies Program will be hosting its annual Welcome Back Social on Tuesday, September 3rd from 5-7pm at Connolly House (300 Hammond Street). Please join us to kick off the Academic Year, welcome our new majors and minors, and introduce our new faculty and peer advisors. Refreshments will be provided!

Prof. Jonathan Kirshner's New Article For "Boston Review"

Jonathan Kirshner, a Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College, wrote an article recently published in the Boston Review. The article, titled "Secrets, Lies, and Censorship," spotlights the revelation of Asghar Farhadi’s films. Farhadi is Iran’s most renowned living director, and two of his most prominent films were recently released in the United States.

BC News Article Spotlights Thalia Chaves

BC News spotlighted IS major, Thalia Chaves, in an article about graduating from Boston College (BC). As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, this has been her dream since she first visited campus when she was five. During her time here, she overcame challenges and was recognized for her extensive civic engagement, including work on housing reforms and climate change issues. Thalia's achievements at BC culminated in receiving the Ever to Excel Robert A. Sherwood Civic Engagement Award. Her future plans include working at the Conservation Law Foundation and attending law school.

2024 Fulbright Fellows & Peace Corps Volunteer

Eleven Boston College graduates—including two from the International Studies (IS) Class of 2024—were selected for Fulbright Scholarships, which support a year’s post-baccalaureate study abroad. Congratulations to Griffin Bassett (English Teaching Assistant Award, Germany), and Catherine Brewer (English Teaching Assistant Award, Germany).

There is also an IS graduate who will be volunteering with the Peace Corps. Congratulations to Sophie Borrman (Zambia).

It's wonderful to see all the places our students go! 

2024 Phi Beta Kappa Members

The Boston College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron of Massachusetts, was chartered in 1970. Following careful faculty scrutiny, the very best undergraduate scholars in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa as members. This year, those members include:

• John Bottei
• Catherine Brewer
• Abigail Carr (initiated as a junior)
• Karoline Navarro
• Vincent Sablich
• Rongwei Zhu (initiated as a junior)

Congratulations on this achievement!

Rongwei Zhu wins the Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Honors Thesis Award

The Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Honors Thesis Award is named in honor of the 16th century Italian Jesuit known for his work in China as a scholar, scientist, and missionary. The winner of the 2024 Ricci Award is Rongwei Zhu, whose Scholar of the College thesis is titled “Escaping the Quagmire: How Credibility Shaped War Termination Policies for the United States in Vietnam." He used primary sources from several archives, along with secondary materials and International Relations theory, to demonstrate how an emphasis on maintaining national credibility carries great costs in asymmetrical wars. Congratulations to Rongwei, and thank you to thesis supervisor Jennifer Erickson and second reader Prof. Timothy Crawford. 

Tanzanian Alpinist Wilfred Moshi on the Power of Travel and Adventure

Wilfred Moshi etched his name in history in 2012 as the first Tanzanian -- and only the third native African -- to climb Mount Everest. Emboldened by this triumph, he is now on a quest to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents. On Feb 27, 2024 at 6pm at Cononlly House, Moshi will speak about how travel and adventure awaken our sense of wonder, fuel our curiosity, and remind us of the boundless possibilities around us. Supported by the Institute for Liberal Arts and hosted by the International Studies Program. 

Alumni Career Conversations playlist on YouTube

Check out the IS Program's Alumni Career Conversations playlist on YouTube! We've posted more than 20 hours of interviews, panels, and talks from a range of alumni about their path from BC to their current jobs. The videos are filled with specific tips, lessons learned, and general wisdom gleaned from the career experiences of IS Program alumni.

Roya Hakakian speaks about "the plight of Iranian women and the silence of feminists."

Iranian-American writer, journalist, and public speaker Roya Hakakian spoke at Boston College on January 31, 2024 about the women's movement in Iran and the ways in which feminists around the world have struggled to support it.  Her packed lecture was part of the Lowell Humanities series, and was co-sponsored by the IS Program's Global Citizenship Project. 

The Global Engagement Portal connects BC students with a dozen sites worldwide, Oct. 23-Nov. 16, 2023

This year's installation of the Global Engagement Portal closes on November 16 after four weeks of connections between BC students/faculty and entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, activists, refugees, and other fascinating conversation partners in ten countries (Bangladesh, Barbados, Ethiopia, Iraqi Kurdistan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda). The project was featured in articles by the BC Chronicle and the BC Heights. 

The Global Korea Project launches this week with a lecture by Prof. Myung-Lim Park of Yonsei University

The Global Korea Project launches this week with a lecture by Prof. Myung-Lim Park entitled "Global Korea’s Past and Future: A Puzzle of Peculiarity vs. Generality" on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 5pm in the Andover Room of Connolly House (300 Hammond Street).  Prof. Park is Director of the Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library, and a Professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, where he teaches political theory, peace studies, constitutionalism, Korean Studies, and East Asian international relations.

Join us for the lecture and reception!

Students, Faculty Join for Fall 2023 Opening Social Event

About 65 students and faculty gathered on the Connolly House lawn and porch on a beautiful sunny afternoon Sep 5 for the annual beginning of year social event. Program Director Erik Owens welcomed new majors and minors and freshmen interested in the program, along with upperclassmen and faculty. The Peer Advisors introduced themselves and the many faculty present talked a bit about their courses. Thanks to all who attended!

Lilly Mathieu and Izzy Jones win the Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Honors Thesis Award

The IS Program's thesis award is named in honor of 16th century Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, known for his nearly 30-year work in China as a scholar, scientist, and missionary. Each year the IS Program honors an exceptional thesis in the program with the Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Thesis Prize and an award stipend. We are pleased to announce that for the first time, TWO seniors -- Lilly Mathieu and Izzy Jones  -- will share the Ricci Award in 2023! 

Lilly's thesis, titled "Forging New Fields of Feminine Identification in Morocco: Assessments of Agency Mobilized through Motherhood and Islam," was supervised by Prof. Natana DeLong-Bas. 

Izzy's thesis, titled "Masking Up: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Spectrum of Health Security in Latin America," was supervised of Prof. Jennifer Erickson. A Scholar of the College thesis, it also won the McCarthy Prize, the highest honor for a theis in the social sciences in the Morrissey College.

Congratulations to Lilly and Izzy, and thank you to Profs. DeLong-Bas and Erickson for all yoru hard work.

Prof. Ali Kadivar book launch event

The IS Program & Sociology Dept. hosted a lecture and conversation to celebrate Prof. Ali Kadivar's new book, Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy (Princeton, 2022) on Dec. 7, 2022. You can watch the event on the IS Program YouTube channel.

Prof. Ingu Hwang book launch event

The IS Program & Asian Studies Programs hosted a lecture, conversation, and reception to celebrate Prof. Ingu Hwang's new book, Human Rights and Transnational Democracy in South Korea (Penn, 2022) on Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022 in the Andover Room of Connolly House. Congrats Prof. Hwang!

Saraphina Birtolo wins Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Honors Thesis Award

The IS Program's thesis award is named in honor of 16th century Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, known for his nearly 30-year work in China as a scholar, scientist, and missionary. We are pleased to announce that the 2022 winner is Saraphina Birtolo, whose thesis, supervised by Prof. Peter Krause, is titled “To Ignite the Firewall or Activate the Conveyor Belt: Exploring the Role of Nonviolent Islamist Organizations In Individual Radicalization.” Congratulations Saraphina!

"Change begins with one person"

This year's Saint Oscar Romero Scholarship winner is a Cuban-American, first-gen college student and McNair Scholar who aspires to a career in international law. Meet Daniela Vazquez Loriga ’22 of the Morrissey College and the 2021 award finalists: BC News >>

Congratulations! As the Spring 2021 semester moves toward completion and our students learn of honors and awards they have earned, we celebrate with you! This week we are delighted to congratulate:

·  MCAS Sophomore Scholars (awarded on the basis of academic achievement and co-curricular initiative) Alexandra Baker, John Bottei, Yiheng Chen, Mia Ferguson, Sofia Frias, Mary Harrison, Gage Higgins, Sean O'Neil, and Gabriel Wallen.

·  MCAS Dean's Scholars (awarded to juniors on the basis of academic excellence, co-curricular leadership, and more) Natalie Almonacid, Ryan Bayne, Riley Casadei, Benjamin Chieng, Rose Delva, Hannah Jones, Zilai Liu, Jordan Merkel, Anze Podlogar, Isabel Sorensen, and Wenwei (Mary) Su. 

·  Brianna Stonick '21, who was invited to deliver an address to this year's Dean's Scholars at their induction ceremony. 

Summer Workshop Engaged Intellect, Provided Community

When the pandemic ruined her students' summer plans, BC political scientist Jennifer Erickson stepped in and developed an internationally-focused workshop. 

Zoë Fanning wins Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Honors Thesis Award

The IS Program's thesis award is named in honor of 16th century Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, known for his nearly 30-year work in China as a scholar, scientist, and missionary. We are pleased to announce that this year's winner is Zoë Fanning, whose thesis "Civilian Healthcare under Fire: International Healthcare Intervention in Post-Cold War Armed Conflicts" combined original interviews, statistical regression analysis, and GIS mapping to examine civilian health interventions in the Bosnian, Nepalese and Syrian civil wars. Congratulations to Zoë, and thank you to thesis advisor Prof. Erickson!

2020 Fulbright Scholars Announced

Four IS Program seniors were awarded 2020 Fulbright Scholarships for teaching and research abroad next academic year. Congratulations to IS majors Bjorn Carlson (Bulgaria, teaching), Luke Tannenbaum (Spain, teaching), and Michael Zuppone (Spain, teaching); and IS minor Madeleine Hughes (UK, research). Congrats to all, and thanks especially to IS professor Paul Christensen, BC's terrific Fulbright director.

Alumnus Wins 2020 Knight-Hennessy Fellowship

Congratulations to Lucas Levine '15, who received a prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship to attend Stanford University for an MBA, starting in Fall 2020. Lucas spoke about his work with South African charter school network Nova Pioneer at the IS Program's recent Alumni Career Conversation about NGOs, the video of which will be posted soon in our career section. You can read about Lucas and the Knight-Hennessy program at BC News.

Urwa Hameed '21 named Aquino Scholar

Congratulations to IS major Urwa Hameed '21, who was named the 2020 Benigo and Corazon Aquino Scholar, an honor presented annually to a BC junior in recognition of strong academics, engaged citizenship and service to the Asian American community. You can read a great profile of Urwa in the BC Chronicle. 

BC Fulbright, Lori Niehaus '18, Now Feeding Chicago's Front Line

A Fulbright and teaching assistantship in Malaysia led Biology & International Studies major, Lori Niehaus, '18 to an unexpected mission during the pandemic.  Read more on BC News

BC Libraries GIS Award

Congratulations to IS major Mary (Wenwei) Su, who won the BC Libraries' 11th Annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) undergraduate mapping contest with her submission “Paying for Livelihood,” which began as an assignment in her "Where on Earth" lab with Prof. Andrew Grant.

Kirshner NYT op-ed highlights insights of John Maynard Keynes on European identity

In his op-ed in this week's New York Times, Prof. Jonathan Kirshner argues that economist John Maynard Keynes rightly predicted the chaos that would ensure if the Allies imposed draconian terms on the German surrender in the First World War, but that Keynes' bigger point about the damage it would do European identity remains misunderstood.

Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Award

An award-winning researcher on global security and arms control, Associate Professor of Political Science Jennifer Erickson is this year's recipient of Boston College's Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Award. Students who nominated Erickson cited in particular her willingness to offer insight and direction beyond the classroom. BC News

Two members of the class of 2019, International Studies majors, win Fulbright Scholarships.

Audrey Hersman: Destination: India: Project: English Teaching Assistantship at a community college in southern India.  Future Plans: Work for a global health organization based out of Boston and pursue a dual MPH/MBA program.

Madison Steele: Destination: Germany; Project: English Teaching Assistantship; expose German students to the diversity of American life, including values, identitites, business customs, and media politics, and challenge students' previous notion of the U.S. through class debates and discussions. Future Plans: Pursue a master's degree in intercultural communication work for a multinational corporation or NGO.

BC News: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/campus-community/honors/2019-fulbright-winners.html

Carolina Tiru '20 awarded 2019 Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship

On March 23, 2019 IS minor Carolina Tiru ’20 received the 2019 Romero Scholarship. The Romero Scholarship is awarded to a BC junior who demonstrates Christian love and solidarity in the spirit of the Salvadoran archbishop, in addition to leadership within the Latinx community.  

Romero Scholarship: https://www.bc.edu/offices/romero.html

BC News: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/campus-community/honors/2019-romero-scholarship-winner.html

Partners in Health founder Ophelia Dahl to lead April 9, 2019 workshop for aspiring public health workers and global citizens.

Join Ophelia Dahl for an extended conversation about poverty and public health, hope and endurance, and the transformation effects of accompaniment.This workshop is limited to 20 BC students, by application only. Apply by March 28, 2019 at this link. Get more info here.

Investigative journalist Jason Motlagh to lead March 12, 2019 workshop for aspiring journalists, filmmakers, writers, photographers and global citizens.

Join award wining jouralist Jason Motlagh for an extended conversation about how to make a career in global investigative journalism, the toll it takes, and why it matters. Part of the Global Citizenships Project, this workshop is limited to 20 BC students. Apply by March 1st at this link.

New Faculty Enhance International Studies Program

The University's popular International Studies program welcomes a strong cohort of new faculty whose collective defining experiences reflect an impressive sweep of academic, social, and formational activities. BC News

A conversation with Mary Popeo '14 about her life and work in Japan

Are you interested in living, learning, or working abroad? Join us on Monday, January 28 at 4:30pm in Connolly House (300 Hammond Street) for an informal conversation with Mary Popeo, 2014 BC International Studies grad, who leads a peacebuilding organization in Hiroshima, Japan. Please RSVP here.

Questions? Email us at isp@bc.edu

IS Major Application, Class 2022

The IS Major application form is now live for students in the graduating class of 2022! Applications are due by 5pm EST on February 1, 2019. Click here for the application form;; if you'd like to print the form to help you prepare your questions before submitting them, click here for a PDF.  

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Patricia Joyce, Associate Director of Interdisciplinary Programs (mclaugpp@bc.edu) or Prof. Hiroshi Nakazato, Associate Director of the International Studies Program (nakazato@bc.edu)

Prof. Owens

Academic Award Winners

The International Studies Program would like to congratulate three of our graduating seniors - Solina Jean-Louis, Anna Ringheiser, and Lori Niehaus - all three are Fulbright recipients. BC News

Murphy steps down from international studies

International Studies, one of the University’s most popular interdisciplinary programs – and which had the highest number of majors in its history in 2017-18 – will shortly enter a new era, as inaugural program director Robert Murphy steps down on June 1. BC News

Best Book in Foreign Policy Award

Dangerous Trade: Arms Exports, Human Rights, and International Reputation by Associate Professor of Political Science Jennifer Erickson has won the American Political Science Association's first best book award in the area of foreign policy.

BC News

Five IS majors named Fulbright scholars

Five International Studies majors have been named Fulbright scholars, accounting for nearly half of the 12 current and former BC students receiving awards this year. Winners from International Studies (and their country destination) include Alexis Fessatidis (Cyprus), Maria Ireland (Italy), Mabel Lee (Taiwan), Liam Maguire(Belgium), Caz Novak (Germany). Read about these and other BC winners. BC Chronicle, May 25, 2017

Matteo Ricci International Studies Honors Thesis Prize Winner

Elizabeth Magill ’17 has been named the 2017 recipient of the Matteo Ricci, S.J., International Studies Honors Thesis Prize for her Scholar of the College project entitled, “The Myth of Integration: Diffusion of Health Systems Strengthening Norm in Global Health.” Elizabeth was advised by Professor Sarah Babb (Sociology).

Emmy Nomination for Opioid Abuse Public Service Announcement

Associate Professor of Communication and International Studies, Matt Sienkiewicz, adds another Emmy nod to his list of professional accomplishments. His 2016 public service announcement "Said No Drug Dealer Ever," which he co-produced for the Massachusetts' Middlesex District Attorney's Office, was nominated for the award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England chapter. BC News