POIR Students

 

Rod Albuyeh albuyeh@usc.edu Research Interests:Political Psychology and International Security Education: B.A., UC Irvine; M.A., UC Santa Barbara  Why I would recommend USC POIR: The biggest thing that stands out to me here is support. All POIR students are fully funded, and on top of that there are opportunities to earn additional funding for research and training. But the support goes beyond funding. I have found the faculty to be not only accesible, but also highly invested in graduate development and success.

 
Maria Armoudian
armoudia@usc.edu 

Roozbeh Baker
roozbehb@usc.edu 

Jiun Bang jiunbang@usc.edu Research Interests: International security, Northeast Asia & U.S. foreign policy Education: M.A., Georgetown University (2006); B.A., Ewha Womans University, Seoul (2005) Why I would recommend USC POIR: You have the advantage of access to both the resources afforded by the Political Science and International Relations program. Not only does this mean support for interdisciplinary studies, but also mentoring from a wide-range of faculty. The locale also means that the cluster of schools nearby serve as added facilities (inter-library loans etc) for research and additional opportunities for conferences and workshops. As evidenced by the multitude of conferences and workshop offerings, the program is fully supportive of striking that balance between in-class learning and extracurricular activities for professional enhancement. There are also various avenues for funds, especially for those interested in East Asian studies, such as the U.S.-China institute and the Korean Studies Institute.

Justin Berry
justinab@usc.edu

Mariano Bertucci mbertucc@usc.edu Dissertation Title: "Habitual Social Practices and Policy: Explaining Foreign Policy Stability in South America" Research Interests: International Relations Theory, Comparative Politics, U.S.-Latin  American Relations Publications: Mariano E. Bertucci, “Scholarly Research on U.S.-Latin American Relations: Where Does the Field Stand?,” Latin American Politics and Society (forthcoming). Mariano E. Bertucci, Fabián Borges-Herrero, and Claudia Fuentes-Julio, “Toward Best Practices in Scholar-Practitioner Relations: Insights from the field of Inter-American Affairs,” International Studies Perspectives (forthcoming). Education:M.A., Graduate School of International Studies, Denver University (2005); B.A. Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires (1999) Why I would recommend POIR: As a research institution, USC is an extraordinarily  competitive university for pursuing Ph.D. studies in Politics and International Relations. Its highly accessible and world-renowned faculty, together with the many available  resources to conduct on-site research both in the United States and abroad (as embodied, for example, in the Center for International Studies), are assets that place USC's POIR Program amongst the country's top tier programs in Politics and International Relations.

 

Fabian A. Borges-Herrero borgeshe@usc.edu Research Interests: International political economy of trade, Economic integration in the Western Hemisphere, U.S.-Latin American economic relations Education: M.A., Georgetown University (2008); B.A., University of Costa Rica (2005) Why I would recommend USC POIR: Based on my personal experience, the faculty is very accessible. POIR offers a generous funding package to all incoming students. While still a relatively new program, the placement record has been very good.

Matthew Brinkmoeller

brinkmoe@usc.edu
Research Interests: Human migration, urban/rural politics, and Latin American politics 
Education: B.A., Arizona State University (2010); M.A. Arizona State University (2011) 

Youssef Chouhoud chouhoud@usc.edu Research Interests: With a continuing desire to engage the Arab Awakening, his doctoral research will, in part, trace the political evolution of theocratic parties in newly democratized states. In addition to his work on Middle East politics, Youssef has written extensively on Islam in America as News Editor of the award-winning website MuslimMatters. Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from Lehigh University and a Master of Arts in Political Science as a President’s Scholar

Katherine Chu katherkc@usc.edu Research Interests: Comparative Politics, Culture and Global Society, Film and Politics, Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy, Soft Power Publications: Chu, Katherine. (2010). Co-Opting the Wolves: National Film Industry Reform in China After 1978. Asian Politics & Policy, 2(1), 95-121. Education: University of Southern California. M.A., East Asian Area Studies;  Chinese University of Hong Kong. Chinese Language & Literature, Minor Communication and Journalism  Why I would recommend USC POIR: Located in the heart of Pacific Rim, USC is the best place to study relations between the two sides, including US-China-Taiwan, Japan-Korea -US and other Asian issues. The range of academic departments and research programs, along with the variety of faculty and students, make each of us share in this intellectual richness. With the establishment of the US-China Institute in 2006, I take full advantage of meeting and discussing with numerous distinguished scholars in their core research endeavors and latest findings. It's the place not only to enrich your personal profession, but also your array of experiences and opportunities; in this regard, USC's POIR Department has no parallel.

Juvenal J. Cortes juvenalc@usc.edu Research Interests: My research interests involve political participation in general and direct democracy in particular. My dissertation is an analysis of direct democracy in the United States and how it compares to the Latin America models. I am interested in direct democracy as both an independent and dependent variable and ask the following questions: How does money influence direct democracy in the US and is it different in Latin America?  What types of issues do the two regions decide by direct democracy? What role do Supreme Courts play in laws and ordinances passed directly by citizens? Does direct democracy strengthen or weaken representative democracy? Does this play out different in the US compared to Latin America? Education: B.A. Political Science, University of California, Berkeley (2009) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I recommend USC POIR because I can always count on funding for my work, projects, and conferences; because I can count on a professor to have a chat over coffee when I’m feeling low; because a PhD is not just about the final result, but the experience and process of getting there.

Tyler M. Curley tmcurley@usc.edu Research Interests: IR Theory, Political Psychology, Identity, Conflict Resolution Publications: "Social Identity Theory and EU Expansion,"International Studies Quarterly (September 2009). Education: M.A., University of Washington Tacoma (2008); B.A., University of Washington Tacoma (2006) Why I would recommend USC POIR: The students, faculty, and staff are very welcoming and helpful. The program is flexible and allows you to pursue interdisciplinary approaches. There are plenty of resources to help you conduct research.

Nicolas de Zamaróczy nicolas.dezamaroczy@usc.edu Research Interests: European Union foreign policy, post-positivist international relations theory, comparative regionalism, ethnography, diplomacy Education: M.A., King's College London (2007), B.A., Dartmouth College (2006) Why I would recommend USC POIR: Your fellow students in the program will be your friends, and your professors will be your mentors-from what I hear, this is not necessarily the case everywhere. Also, the funding is generous

Adam Feldman asfeldma@usc.edu Research Interests: American Politics and Judicial Politics Education: B.A., University of California, Los Angeles; J.D. Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR program has great professors in a variety of areas. Students can engage in a wide range of topics and focus on one of many substantive areas of interest.  So far, I have been able to gear my education to fit my particular interests as well as to gain a broader general understanding of American and Comparative Politics through the respective sub-fields.

Tse-min Fu tseminfu@usc.edu Research Interests: International relations theory, security studies, foreign policy analysis, and topics of great power politics and the rise of China in the future. Education: MA in political science from National Taiwan University (Taipei, Taiwan) and BA in diplomacy from National Chengchi University (Taipei, Taiwan)

Matthew Gratias
gratias@usc.edu 

Thora Giallouri giallour@usc.edu Research Interests: My main focus is judicial politics and the U. S. Supreme Court. I am also greatly interested in issues of social change, international law and communitarian politics. Education: BA from Panteion University (Greece) in International and European Studies and an MA in Political Science from CalStateLA Why I Would Recommend USC POIR: I consider USC's POIR program to be a definitive place in the study of judicial politics and international law, it has a great and long tradition in this field of expertise.

 

Eric Hamilton eric.hamilton@usc.edu Research Interests: International Relations, Security Studies, Comparative Politics Education: M.A., Georgetown University (2006); B.A., Temple University (2004) Why I Would Recommend USC POIR: As an applicant, the reception I received from POIR faculty, staff and students was unparalleled compared to other programs. Faculty members met with me to discuss my research interests; staff explained the strong institutional support I would receive to pursue my research; and students openly shared  their experiences. Since coming to USC, I have an even better perspective and hold the  same high opinion. As I’ve learned more about the department it is amazing to see the vigorous effort to streamline the PhD program – part of a larger project across USC’s  graduate programs. New faculty hires, new research and funding opportunities, new course offerings, and increasingly competitive incoming classes. It is really an exciting time to be here.

 

Richard Harris rjharris@usc.edu Research Interests: International relations in East Asia, soft power, public diplomacy, regional integration, and the role of culture and history in understanding international relations Education: BA in Japanese Studies from Earlham College ('08) and Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University

Parker Hevron hevron@usc.edu Dissertation Title: "The Affective Framing of Tort Reform: Toward a Theory of the Moderating Effets of Emotion on Attitude Formation" (in progress) Research Interests: American politics, political communication, public law, political psychology, politics and emotion  Publications: "Affect and Political Choice." (with Ann Crigler) in Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Kate Kenski (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Political Communication (Oxford University Press, forthcoming). "YouTube and Television Advertising: Obama and McCain in 2008." (with Marion Just, Ann Crigler, and Jesse Milles) in Richard Fox and Jennifer Ramos (eds.), iPolitics (Cambridge University Press, 2011).  Education: B.A. in Political Science and History. 2006. Austin College (Sherman, TX). Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science. Expected 2013. Why I would recommend USC POIR:  I would recommend POIR for a few important  reasons: generous research support, great access to world-class faculty, and its  location in a vibrant and interesting city. The small size of the program allows students to  work closely with a range of faculty members, all of whom I have found are excited  about collaborating with graduate students. I have nothing but good experiences in POIR. My advisors have been very supportive of my research interests and have gone out of their way to offer me opportunities to collaborate. Our group of students is really close-knit and supportive, which goes a long way toward making Los Angeles feel like a small community.

Chin-Hao Huang chinhao.huang@usc.edu Dissertation Title: "Status, Security, and Socialization: Explaining Change in Chinese Compliance in International Institutions." Research Interests: International relations in East Asia, Chinese foreign and security policy, China-Africa relations, China and UN peacekeeping Publications:(with Bates Gill) China's Expanding Role in Peacekeeping: Prospects and Policy Implications (SIPRI, 2009).  “China's Renewed Partnership with Africa,” in China into Africa: Trade, Aid, and Influence (Brookings Institution Press, 2008).  “U.S.–China Relations and Darfur,” Fordham International Law Journal (April 2008).“Principles and Praxis of China’s Peacekeeping,” International Peacekeeping, vol. 18, no. 3 (June 2011)  Education: B.S., Georgetown University (2006). Why I would recommend USC POIR: The professionalization opportunities, availability of professors to work with and mentor students, and funding sources for conducting research are some of the key strengths of the POIR program. The support and camaraderie among fellow cohort members also provide for a genuinely enriching learning environment.There isa wealth of expertise among the faculty anda wide range of programmatic activities in the POIR program, theCenter for International Studies, East Asia Studies Center, Korean Studies Institute, and the U.S.-China Institute that are especially rewarding for students of IR in East Asia. Personal Webpage

Joey Huddleston rhuddles@usc.edu Research Interests: Identity in displaced populations, identity construction during conflicts and peace processes, nationalism and national narrative construction, as well as Middle Eastern and North African affairs Education: BA, Sociology and Peace Studies, Chapman University, 2011 Why I would recommend USC POIR: POIR is dynamic. The faculty are brilliant and accessible, and the atmosphere is beautifully collaborative. It is supportive. The program is generous with its students, so diverse research interests need not know bounds. Finally, the city of Los Angeles is warm, fun, and delicious.

Minna Jia mija@usc.edu Dissertation Title: “Attitudes toward Democracy and Civic Participation: China’s Post-80s Generation” Research Interests: Democracy, Political Development, Chinese Politics, and Youth Study Education: M.A., Peking University (2003); B.A. in Economics, Peking University (2000); B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration, Peking University (2000) Why I would recommend USC POIR: POIR provides us a unique opportunity to be both creative and professional.

 

Eunice Kang euniceyk@usc.edu Research Interests: East Asian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Security,  International Migration, International Law, North Korean refugees in China Education: M.A., School of Oriental and African Studies (2007); B.A., University of  Southern California (2005) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I wholeheartedly recommend USC POIR  because  it is the leading research university in the area of East Asia politics and its relations with  the United States. One of the things that attracted me the most to USC was  the vast  amount of resources that would be available to me. The range of institutes and  centers at  USC is plentiful—such as the U.S.-China Institute, the Korean Institute and the  East Asian  Studies Center. And of course the faculty here is extremely approachable and supportive.

 

Peter Knaack knaack@usc.edu Research Interests: International Political Economy, Transnational Networks, Global Governance, Latin America, China Publications: (with Roberto Bouzas) “The Interamerican Development Bank and Half a Century of Regional Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean,”Integration & Trade (January 2009). Education: M.A., University of San Andres, Buenos Aires (2009); M.A., Leipzig University (2003) Why I would recommend POIR: A major advantage of POIR is that it provides high-standard courses in an environment that makes it easy to establish excellent personal relationships with faculty. In addition, this program has a unique interdisciplinary character which enables students to broaden their IR education with classes in Communications, Economics, Psychology and other departments without bureaucratic hurdles. USC has been much less affected by the last financial crisis than other major universities, so students can expect to receive generous support during the semester and for a broad variety of summer research projects.

Gloria Koo gloria.koo@usc.edu Research Interests: International political economy, East Asia Education: B.A., Stanford University (2005) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I appreciate the opportunity to study with and learn from the distinguished faculty members at USC. I am grateful for their mentorship. Also, a great location. (Yay LA!)

Deniz Kuru deniz.kuru@usc.edu Dissertation Topic: Intellectual history of European approaches to IR Research Interests: IR theory, with specific focus on the intellectual history of IR and  European approaches to IR; modern European history and politics Education: M.A., George Washington University (2007); B.A., SBF, Ankara (2004) Why I would recommend USC POIR: Both USC and specifically our POIR program offer  multiple advantages that transform our PhD studies into years of beneficial experiences. In  this regard, the program’s wide-ranging faculty as well as financial support enables the  students to gain not only a better knowledge in the relevant subject matters but also to  share their work with others in international and national conferences thanks to generous  departmental grants. Continuous events in various program-related institutes such as CIS,  USCI, etc. allow us to meet not only leading scholars but also to gain the latest insights into the newest academic works. Library capabilities and academic and cultural activities on campus only further this experience.

 

Jessica Chia-yueh Liao chiayuel@usc.edu Research Interests: International/comparative political economy, East Asia study Education: M.A., National Sun Yat-Sun University, Taiwan (2006); B.A., Chengchi University, Taiwan (2002) Why I would recommend USC POIR: During my time in POIR, both faculty and staff have been very responsive to students’ questions and requests. Although POIR is a  small program, students are close to each other, creating a supportive community.

Kymberly MacNeal macneal@usc.edu Research Interests: Security studies, Middle East, weapons of mass destruction, epidemiology Education: B.A., Baylor University (2010) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I would recommend this program because it encompasses a number of faculty with a variety of interests. They also conscientiously support their grad students in helping them develop the skills  necessary for future and present success.

Míchel (Michelle) Angela Martinez mamartin@usc.edu Research Interests: International human rights, photography & visualculture, social movements, law Education: B.A., University of Southern California (2006) Why I would recommend USC POIR: Faculty -- namely those on my committee! I have rather unorthodox interests as far as the discipline of political science is concerned, bu I can pursue those here, with professors from American Studies and Ethnicity, Anthropology, Communications, Fine Art, Sociology, and on and on. I have chosen to design my own path and my committee is very supportive.

Matthew Mendez

msmendez@usc.edu
Research interests: Participatory Democray, Race, Ethnicity and Politics, and Representation
Education: B.A., San Jose State University (2009)
Why I would recommend USC POIR: As a student primarily interested in how race and ethnicity impact American politics, I am grateful to be in a program that is on the cutting edge of that field. The faculty we have in the department are a distinguished, decorated group that push us to think critically about what we are studying and how it affects the larger world.

Elli Menounou menounou@usc.edu Research Interests: Media and political participation and decision making in a comparative perspective.  Education: B.A., Panteion University of Athens; M.A., California State University Los Angeles  Why I would recommend USC POIR: I would recommend USC POIR because it provides students with the opportunity to work with great professors and to socialize in a high-quality academic environment.

In Young Min inyoung.min@usc.edu Research Interests: International relations theory, international security in East Asia, nuclear proliferation, and U.S. foreign policy  Publications: "Nationalism and State Interests: Seoul's Restrained Rejoinder to China's Northeast Project," Asia Yeongu [Korean Journal of Asian Studies], Vol. 14, No. 1 (with Young Chul Cho)  Education: B.A. (2006), M.A. (2011), Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea  Why I would recommend USC POIR: The relatively small size of the program not only allows students to work closely with distinguished faculty here, but also contributes to a strong sense of community among students. The program offers generous funding package for all students.

 

Cyrus Mohammadian cmohamma@usc.edu Research Interests: My primary research interests include the relationship between civil and international conflict, the role of group identity in warfare, and political transitions—particularly in the states of the former Soviet Union. Education: B.A., Indiana University Bloomington (2004) Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR program not only provides students with enough flexibility to pursue our various research agendas, but it also presents us with numerous opportunities to expand the scope of our research while guiding us down our particular research paths.

 

Ronald Osborn rosborn@usc.edu Dissertation Title: “Nihilism's Conscience: Grounding Human Rights After Darwin, Marx, and Nietzsche" Research Interests: Religion and conflict, human rights, just war theory, realism, metaethics, politics and literature  Publications: “A Death to Celebrate?: The Just War Tradition and the Killing of Bin Laden” (cover story), Commonwealth Magazine, Vol.138, No.11, June 3, 2011. “Seyla Benhabib, Wendell Berry, and the Question of Migrant and Refugee Rights,” Humanitas, Vol.23, No.2, Fall 2010: 118-138. “Correlates of Violence in Guinea’s Maison Centrale Prison: A Statistical Approach to Documenting Human Rights Abuses,” Health and Human Rights (Harvard University), Vol.12, No.2, 2010: 73-87. “Noam Chomsky and the Realist Tradition,” Review of International Studies (Cambridge University), Vol.35, No.2, 2009: 351-370. “On the Path of Perpetual Revolution: From Marx’s Millenarianism to the Shining Path,” Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions (Routledge), Vol.8, No.1, 2007: 115-135 Education: MSc, University of London, Violence, Conflict and Development (2005), MA, Graduate Insitutie of St. John's College, Annapolis, Liberal Arts (2002) Why I would recommend USC POIR: As a POIR student, I have been able to take courses not only in political science and international relations, but also from the Law School and the School of Philosophy, building a truly interdisciplinary program to fit my research interests. USC has provided generous financial support for my studies, including field research in Africa and South America. Many faculty have also offered invaluable mentoring and friendship. I would recommend POIR to any student seeking a rigorous academic experience not far from some fo the best Thai and Korean food this side of the Pacific Ocean.

 

Mark Paradis

mparadis@usc.edu
Research Interests: Security Studies, International Relations Theory, Political Psychology, Foreign Policy Analysis, Methodology
Education: M.A., McGill University (2009); B.A., McGill University (2007)
Why I would recommend USC POIR: There are a few reasons to choose POIR. First, theaccess to faculty members isfantastic. Even as anadmitted applicant, I received numerous helpful emails from faculty members and was able to meet individually with them to discuss my research interests, their current projects, and the program. As a student, both my course professors and other faculty members have been very accessible and helpful. Second, theprogram provides a lot ofresources to support students. Third, the students in the program are very strong academically and there is a strong senseof community among students.

Michael D. Pérez perezmd@usc.edu Research Interests: International Political Economy of Trade and Finance, Comparative Politics, Formal Theory, Quantitative Methods Education: M.A., New York University (2007); B.A., University of California, Berkeley (2004) Why I Would Recommend USC POIR:  The program offers a competitive, yet friendly, environment to pursue graduate studies. Its principal strengths include renowned and accessible faculty, small class sizes and faculty-to-student ratios, a diverse student body, and a generous funding package for all incoming students.  I would recommend the program to anyone interested in an institution that encourages independent inquiry and an interdisciplinary approach.

 

Jordan Peterson jordancp@usc.edu Research Interests: American government and institutions, Legislative politics, Latino political behavior Education: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, (2012); B.A., University of Southern California, German (2008) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I really appreciate the congenial and supportive attitude of the faculty, staff, and students in the program.  The faculty are extremely accessible, and small class size allows them to provide thorough and individualized feedback while maintaining a collaborative and challenging academic environment for students.

 

Simon Radford sradford@usc.edu Research Interests: I am interested in ideas around energy security and the politics of energy. The post-Soviet region is also an abiding interest. Education: M.P.A., Brown University (2006); M.A., Cambridge University (2004); B.A., Cambridge University (2004) Why I would recommend USC POIR: Simply put, the program is a happy place to be: colleagues are supportive and work collaboratively; people come from diverse backgrounds and with differing viewpoints; and everyone wants you to succeed. I have yet to meet a faculty member who I didn't like and who hasn't been extremely helpful in assisting me in any way they could. I am proud to call my fellow POIRers friends and not just people who I share a department with.

 

Mariana Rangel-Padilla rangelpa@usc.edu Research Interests: International Political Economy and Comparative Politics with a focus in Latin America  Education: B.A., Tecnologico de Monterrey; M.A., Carleton University Why I would recommend USC POIR:The reasons why I would recommend POIR are mentioned by my colleagues

Meredith Shaw meredirs@usc.edu Research Interests: Political economy of East Asia, democratic transitions, Japan-South Korea relations, North Korea issues Education: B.A., Brown University; M.A., Ritsumeikan University

Jihyun Shin jihyunsh@usc.edu  Education: B.A. in German Education and International Relations from Seoul National University and a Master’s degree from School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

Keira Stearns kcstearn@usc.edu   Research Interests: U.S. political discourses on women in Afghanistan  Education: B.A., University of Colorado at Boulder; M.A., University of Colorado at Denver

 

Ekaterina Svyatets svyatets@usc.edu Dissertation Title: "Power, Profits, and Politics: Energy Cooperation and Conflict in Eurasia" Research Interests: Energy security and cooperation, international political economy,  foreign policy analysis, U.S.-Russia relations, Eurasia Publications: (with Robert English and Azamat Zhanalin) “Ethnicity, Nationalism and  Migration in the Former Communist World,” in Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Migration Studies (The International Studies Association Compendium Project, 2009). Education: M.A., University of Southern California; B.A., Vladivostok State University Why I would recommend USC POIR: The program offers great opportunities for research  and professional development, including training in methodology outside of USC, field research abroad, and participation in conferences. The program supports PhD students and provides generous funding for research. The interests of faculty are very diverse, and every student has a wide choice of topics and methodologies to concentrate on. Faculty members work very closely with students and provide excellent guidance.

Mengxiao Tang mengxiao@usc.edu Research Interests: Chinese politics, political economy of East and Southeast Asia, comparative contentious politics and labor movement Education: UMBC: B.A. in Political Science from Renmin University of China (Beijing, 2009); M.A. in Global Political Economy from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2010); M.Phil. in Government and International Studies from Hong Kong Baptist University (2012) Why I would recommend USC POIR: The POIR community is welcoming and filled with energy. The faculty is actively engaged and different kinds of academic resources or opportunities are highly accessible.

Christina Wagner-Faegri
cfaegri@usc.edu 

David Walker  dawalker@usc.edu Research Interests: Korean politics and international relations, Japan-Korea relations, East Asian Security, International Relations theory  Education: UMBC: BA with Honors, in History;  UMBC: MA in History  Why I would recommend USC POIR: POIR is one of the best programs in the world for those who want to study outside of the main IR theories of Neorealism and Neoliberalism.  If you believe that culture and history matter in IR, then you will like it here.

Scott Wilbur  sawilbur@usc.edu  Research Interests: Domestic determinants of foreign economic policy (trade and aid), political economy in the Asia-Pacific region Education: M.A., National Taiwan University (2011); B.S., Georgetown University (2005) Why I would recommend POIR: In addition to featuring first-rate professors and outstanding research and financial resources, POIR offers a variety of useful professionalization activities in order to prepare its Ph.D. students for the job market and tenure. New hires from top-ranking programs ensure that students have the tools to approach the most current issues and methods in the discipline. Moreover, the steady stream of campus visits and Los Angeles stopovers by scholars and policymakers from around the country and world enables students to hear, and often personally meet, leading figures in the political science and policy fields. Last but far from least, students in the program are supportive of each other intellectually and emotionally, making the challenge of studying for a Ph.D. at POIR enlightening as well as enjoyable.

 

Phillip Wilcox

pwilcox@usc.edu
Research Interests: Chinese foreign policy
Education: B.A., Georgetown University (2009)
Why I would recommend USC POIR: I chose USC because of the passionate and interesting faculty and students, and their generous support for student scholarship, particularly in relation to security issues in East Asia. USC is a fantastic academic atmosphere with constant interaction and discussion between students and faculty and the faculty take an active interest in the academic interests of the students.

Sean Wong
seanonwo@usc.edu

Ming-Min Yang mingminy@usc.edu Research Interests: Political Economy in East Asia and South East Asia Education: School of International Service, American University for MA degree

 

Xiangfeng Yang xiangfey@usc.edu Dissertation Title: “The Age of Good Samaritan States: Domestic Values, International Norms andIdealpolitikin International Relations” Research Interests: East Asian security, comparative politics (China), American foreign policy, democratization and democracy promotion Education: M.A., Nanjing University (2003); Graduate Certificate, Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese & American Studies (2002); B.A., Henan University of Science & Technology (2000) Why I would recommend USC POIR: I have had so many wonderful professors who are great scholars with incredible personalities, including, of course, my advisers: Professors Patrick James and Saori Katada. They are hardworking, intellectually stimulating, and caring mentors. Adding to the lure are our incredibly efficient library services, the generous research funding and the genuinely international characteristics of LA and USC.

Laura Yen

laurayen@usc.edu
Research Interests: American Politics, Political Behavior, Minority Politics, Power and Equality
Education: B.A., University of Washington, Seattle (2009)
Why I would recommend USC POIR: The program allows for a lot of flexibility, while still recognizing and covering all the basic foundations of political science and international relations. Also, both the faculty and other graduate students are indispensable resources that I have found to be supportive and inspiring. Regardless of the direction you want to take your research there will be someone to help you, guide you, and support you, which is a rare quality to find. 

Jeanine E. Yutani yutani@usc.edu Dissertation Topic: Focusing on migration between Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and how country of origin, class, gender, religion, etc. intersect and both affect and are affected by migration policy. Research Interests: Migration, Culture & Gender in IR, East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan) Education: M.A., University of Southern California (2007); B.A., B.S., Minnesota State University-Moorhead (1999). Why I would recommend USC POIR: With resources such as the USC US-China Institute  and the Pacific Council on International Policy, as well as a well-rounded faculty with  diverse interests in East Asia, there is usually a variety of Asia-related courses each semester. Other programmatic and faculty interests include culture, gender and religion, all  of which offer an important perspective to the field of IR.