Welcome to "Zoom University"
POL S 472Notes
POL S 472 has really sparked my interest in Proportional Representation. I am fascinated by the chapters from Douglas Amy's Real Choices/ New Voices: How Proportional Representation Elections Could Revitalize American Democracy. I noticed that this work was published in 2002 and reached out to my professor to see if he had any recommendations of more recent scholarly work on PR in the United States - just for fun!
Currently, I work for a civic action organization, Common Purpose, that seeks to make our democracy more just and inclusive. I have always focused my attention on working within the system we have, but never thought much about changing the system all together and how PR could be a better solution. For the first time I am thinking about a research project. I was eager to write our final paper. See below! |
HONORS 391Notes
Canvas Discussion Boards
U.S. Census CallingOn April 23, I was pleasantly surprised by a phone call from You Can Vote Charlotte's Head of Communications, Velma. I had the pleasure of getting to know Velma during my week of volunteering in North Carolina. She reached out hoping I could help with YCV's efforts to support Census participation. Of course, I quickly said yes and signed up for two shifts. I also passed this opportunity on to the rest of the NC team. It was so nice to talk to her and get involve with this meaningful work.
4-30 Update: I had another successful session of phone calling. One woman asked if I could speak Spanish and although I have been using my free time to learn I am not quite there yet. However, I am doing something to work toward that goal and I felt good about that. After my calling I finished up a reading for POL S 472 and you'll never guess what the last section was titled - "Importance of the Census".
6-6 Update: Velma reached out again on June 1st looking for volunteers for for YCV's “Last Call” Phone Bank. I signed up for a shift and sent it along to the NC group. Jordan also sent the opportunity for our entire NC mailing group. I did my hour of calls and talked to a few people who already sent their responses and one who appreciated the reminder!
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Staying connected virtuallyPen pals!The summer before high school I went to the People's Republic of China as a student ambassador for People to People. During my trip I met Anthony, when our delegations shared the a hotel for a night. We've stayed in touch ever since, for most of our friendship, as pen pals. We stopped writing a year or so ago (you know how life gets), but Anthony proposed we start again given the extra time we all seem to be having. Since then I've started writing my best friend, Jayna as well!
Honors Excellence in Teaching Award (HETA)This year I nominated my professor, Dr. Jon Herron, for the HETA Award. As a Political Science major I don't get too much science in my coursework. This course has made me think about humans differently. I also really appreciated learning how to read scientific studies as a social science student. I can take this skill with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to take this course. On May 18, 2020 we had a virtual celebration.
Learning beyond course materials + applicability in real lifeMay 7: Right now I am enrolled in POL S 472: Electoral Systems and even though it's online it's one of the most interesting classes I've taken. However, perhaps more importantly, I see my course work directly align with my work with CP. For example, last week I was doing Census calls for our partner org in North Carolina, You Can Vote, and after I read a paper on the importance of the Census for class. Today I am reading about the institutional barriers the United States electoral system (single member districts) creates for voting. I can see it relating to my work with CP as a whole and with David's lecture on Voting Rights in America - Part 1 as well. I just thought I'd share - I've learned so much through being part of CP and am so thankful.
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