Political Science
According to Timur Kuran, there isn’t a single democracy in the Middle East, which he defines as all 22 Arab states, plus Iran and Turkey. The region ranks below every other region in indices that measure political freedoms, civic life and religious freedoms. Many have claimed that Islam is the reason for the lack of democracy. But in “Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East” — Kuran’s seventh book, whose e-format will be released on July 20 — the Professor of Economics and… read more about Timur Kuran Explores the Political Impact of Islam on the Middle East in New Book »
Thomas A. Spragens, Jr., Professor Emeritus, died peacefully at home on June 1st. He was 81 years old. Dr. Spragens was an undergraduate at Wesleyan University and came to Duke in 1963 as a Danforth Fellow to study Religion, but soon moved to Political Science where he studied primarily with John Hallowell, receiving his PhD in 1968 and joining the faculty in the same year. Tom was a Political Theorist who produced an impressive body of work. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters, he published… read more about In Memory of Tom Spragens »
Jonah Perrin’s interest in politics began when he was in middle school. At 13, he recognized the financial inequities that plagued his and other teachers in North Carolina. They were dipping into their own pockets to pay for school supplies. To help them, he began making bracelets using his younger brother’s Rainbow Loom kit and sold them for $10 each. He raised about $720. The proceeds went to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools PTA Council. His story made the local paper. But his interest didn’t stop there: In high… read more about Class of 2023: Jonah Perrin on Four Years of Helping Duke Votes »
Ritika Saligram can be heard across campus and beyond, as a senior studying Political Science, History and Markets & Management Studies. Saligram helped plan an educational trip to Pearl Harbor for more than 30 Duke student and alumni in her role as co-chair of the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy. She is president of Duke’s oldest, most award-winning female acappella group, Out of the Blue. Her interests include security… read more about Class of 2023: Ritika Saligram gives her voice to a senior year filled with challenges and hope »
When Curtis Bram was working in investment banking in Tokyo, he was not particularly focused on the trustworthiness of political institutions. But when he began his Ph.D. studies in the Duke Department of Political Science, he started thinking about what changes people expect politicians to deliver, where those expectations come from, and how they might be different. One theme in his research is the idea that people exaggerate the differences between themselves and their political opponents because of a… read more about Class of 2023: Curtis Bram and Trustworthiness »
This year’s student commencement speakers will be Trinity senior Kyle-Brandon “KB” Denis and M.D./Ph.D. candidate Dylan Eiger. They will deliver welcome remarks at the university-wide ceremony at 9.a.m. Sunday, May 14, in Wallace Wade Stadium. Denis and Eiger were chosen from among more than 350 nominees. The selection committee reviewed nominations for students who have facilitated a welcoming community for their peers through seen and unseen leadership roles, impacted the greater Durham area through engagement with… read more about Student Speakers Selected for Commencement Ceremony »
Three exceptional ways of building a stronger community at Duke: Rabbi Elana Friedman heard from students that they wanted to have a single service that joined the traditions of the Reform, Conservative and other various movements of Judaism into shared religious celebrations. She helped bridge the differences to bring Duke’s diverse population of Jewish people together in spiritual community. Bijan Abar made mentorship and advising a core part of his work as a M.D./Ph.D. candidate in the School of Medicine and Pratt… read more about From the Moment They Arrived on Campus, Sullivan Award Winners Have Strengthened Community »
Senior Adam Israelevitz is the first Duke University student to be selected for the James C. Gaither Junior Fellowship at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program offers approximately 14 one-year fellowships to qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. Gaither Junior Fellows work as research assistants to Carnegie’s senior scholars. A political science major who is minoring in Arabic with a certificate in… read more about Senior First Duke Recipient of Gaither Fellowship »
For most students, Spring Break is when they take a break from academic rigors by taking a quiet (or loud) week away from Duke and its classes. But some students spent their week learning about subjects possibly far outside their normal areas of study. Spring Breakthrough is an annual set of courses offered during Spring Break that aren't graded, instead meant to be learning experiences that students otherwise wouldn't have access to. The 2023 Spring Breakthrough courses included: Motorcycle Revival: Repairing and… read more about Learning New Subjects During Spring Breakthrough 2023 »
read more about Peter Feaver: Arguments to Abandon Ukraine "Weak," and "Chinese Propaganda Points" »
Governor Ron DeSantis announced a statewide ban on the College Board’s new Advanced Placement course for high school students in African American Studies. Professor Kerry Haynie, a member of the College Board committee that developed the framework for the course, denounced DeSantis’s claims the content indoctrinates students or that political pressures have wielded any influence on the materials in the framework, which was published Feb. 1. “We’ve been concerned to see the work of more than 300 college professors… read more about Kerry Haynie: Developer of AP Course Calls Ban Dishonest Political Stunt »
Governor Ron DeSantis announced a statewide ban on the College Board’s new Advanced Placement course for high school students in African American Studies. Professor Kerry Haynie, a member of the College Board committee that developed the framework for the course, denounced DeSantis’s claims the content indoctrinates students or that political pressures have wielded any influence on the materials in the framework, which was published Feb. 1. “We’ve been concerned to see the work of more than 300 college professors… read more about News Tip: Professor, Developer of AP Course Calls Ban Dishonest Political Stunt »
