色界吧

Meet some of our politics majors.

 

James Steinberger

James Steinberger

Hometown: Hockessin, DE
Major: politics

What was your motivation to major in politics?

The 2016 election was my political awakening. I was still quite young, but I followed the election very closely, and had lots of discussions about it with my parents and others. I realized that politics determines almost everything of consequence in our world: war and peace, the distribution of wealth and resources, public health, climate change. I was fascinated by campaigns and by the mechanics of governing, and over time, it occurred to me that understanding politics鈥攈ow political power is acquired and wielded鈥攊s essential knowledge and a prerequisite to social change. The 2016 election demonstrated the vulnerability of our democracy, something that I came to understand even more deeply just prior to matriculating to 色界吧, when I served as an intern with Students for Voting Justice, a non-profit combating voter suppression in the South. I realized that we were in an existential fight for our democracy, and I ultimately decided to major in politics because I want to be part of that fight. 

Every professor I have had in the politics department has been excellent. They have all been superb teachers and mentors who are completely invested in the success of their students.

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors?

One of the reasons I chose 色界吧 was because of the small class sizes and the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with faculty. Every professor I have had in the politics department has been excellent. They have all been superb teachers and mentors who are completely invested in the success of their students. Last semester, for instance, I took Research Methods in Politics and Public Policy with Professor Elizabeth Wiener. Not only was she willing to see students outside of her normally scheduled office hours, but she even spent an entire Saturday on campus to help us with our final research projects. In the politics department, that kind of dedication is the norm. 

In addition to my great experience in Research Methods, I have particularly enjoyed taking classes that explore the politics of other countries. As our world becomes ever more globalized and other nations vie for global hegemony, it is critical to understand the motivation and actions of other states. A course that did a phenomenal job of this was Contemporary Chinese Politics with Professor Tsung Chi, which helped me to understand how China鈥檚 complex and turbulent past has shaped its current political culture and ambitions. I likewise came away so much more knowledgeable about international affairs thanks to Professor Mariano Bertucci鈥檚 class, What Countries Want and Why. We are living through a period of global upheaval, and Prof. Bertucci underscored the importance of trying to understand, in a nuanced way, what motivates the actions of, say, a Putin or a Xi. 

I have become so much better at dissecting nuanced issues and forming persuasive arguments; skills that will serve me well not only as a lawyer but throughout my life, as well.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

After graduating from 色界吧, I intend to pursue a law degree. I am passionate about social justice and bringing the reality of America more in line with the promise of America, and it has become clear as a politics major that the legal sphere is the best way I can do that. After working as a lawyer, I eventually want to use my legal background to transition to another industry, such as government, with the ultimate goal of being elected to Congress. I think this is the beauty of the law; the skills and mindset required to succeed transcend the legal field and are universally applicable. The liberal arts approach to education has played a significant role in shaping these ambitions. Taking classes across multiple disciplines is meant to foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills, and this has certainly been the case for me at 色界吧. Engaging with a diverse range of disciplines, from Urban and Environmental Policy to Diplomacy and World Affairs, has not only deepened my understanding of the societal structures and human behaviors that underpin legal issues but has also honed my ability to approach problems from multiple angles. I have become so much better at dissecting nuanced issues and forming persuasive arguments; skills that will serve me well not only as a lawyer but throughout my life, as well.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

My first piece of advice is to be informed鈥攖o have a solid grasp of American and international politics. Professors in the department want and expect students to keep up with the news and to know what鈥檚 happening in the world, and politics majors tend to be very knowledgeable about current events, which makes for really good classroom discussions. Another piece of advice is to take advantage of classes outside of the major. I have really benefited from taking courses in other disciplines. This past semester, I was able to take Introduction to Public Health and learn about resistance to government intervention in the lives of the citizenry simultaneously with Introduction to Political Theory, where I learned about the genesis of various theories about government involvement in public life. Taking these classes at the same time allowed me to draw throughlines between ostensibly distinct subject matters, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of contemporary issues. Lastly, politics majors tend to be very passionate and enthusiastic; if you are considering majoring in politics, talk to us鈥攚e are happy to share our insights about the department.


 

Jazzy Chhabria

Jazzy Chhabria

Hometown: Irvine, CA
Majors: politics, economics; minor: cognitive science

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors?

Because classes at Occidental rarely exceed 25 students, we have a unique and amazing opportunity to build one-on-one relationships with our professors. Undoubtedly, one of the coolest aspects of our school is that, by the second week of classes, essentially every single one of your professors knows your name and sees you as an individual in the classroom, as opposed to one of many in a lecture hall. Due to this, I have built close relationships with most of my politics professors, since visiting them during office hours with a question about a lecture or confusion on an essay often results in some discussion about my plans going forward, what I find compelling about the class, or my thoughts on current world discussions. My favorite politics class thus far is Who Wins and Why? Electoral Systems in Comparative Perspective, taught by my now-adviser Professor Isaac Hale. It was fascinating to dive deeper into how elections work around the world and the different reforms being tossed around to fix an extremely complicated and often messy set of challenges. 

By the second week of classes, essentially every single one of your professors knows your name and sees you as an individual in the classroom, as opposed to one of many in a lecture hall.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

I find the intersections between politics and my other major, economics, incredibly compelling. The social sciences all study people, the patterns of their actions, and the reasoning behind these actions, but each from different perspectives and aspects of the human experience. Boiling it down, politics looks at how people interact with power while economics explores how people grapple with wealth. My favorite moments are when we talk about dynamics relating to wealth structures in my politics classes and discuss governmental economic policy measures in my politics classes. The two majors tie together really well and have enhanced my perspective on the world around me. Furthermore, I enjoy the tangibility and applicability of the content in my politics classes. The skills and knowledge developed in politics classes can be applied to other classes, higher education, or in the workplace. I like how much we draw on examples and history in examining human behavior and determining how these patterns can help improve imperfect structures and institutions. Finally, it鈥檚 really cool that oftentimes what we discuss in the classroom is happening somewhere in the world, and by making these connections to current affairs, my literacy and consumption of the news have improved!

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

Upon receiving my degree from 色界吧, I plan to attend law school and get my J.D. I want to be an attorney who uplifts marginalized voices and uses the legal system as a vehicle for social change. Following my tenure as an attorney, I would hope to transition into a career in politics, either on the government or campaign side, but ideally as a specialist in economic or advocacy policy. The liberal arts approach has been critical to not only shaping these ambitions but also building the intellectual foundation to set me up for success in my goals. Firstly, though I already came into 色界吧 wanting to be an attorney, my time here has helped me confirm and refine that goal and understand the spectrums of politics that exist beyond campaigns and leaders鈥攕uch as research and election systems. Moreover, every politics class I have taken has helped me hone my reading, writing, critical thinking, research, and argumentation skills. These abilities are essential to law school and my career goals, and all are a result of constant practice and the feedback I receive from my professors. For instance, I worked as an Undergraduate Legal Intern at the Public Defender鈥檚 Office last summer, and the politics classes I had taken leading up to that summer left me well-prepared to succeed in that position. Overall, the Occidental Department of Politics has evolved my thinking style and intellectual abilities to best prepare me for my postgraduate pursuits.

The liberal arts approach has been critical to not only shaping these ambitions but also building the intellectual foundation to set me up for success in my goals.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

My advice for a student studying politics would be to utilize the various opportunities unique to studying this discipline at a liberal arts college, and in particular at 色界吧. If you鈥檙e interested in researching a topic you鈥檝e always been curious about, reach out to a professor to see if they already have a project going that you can join or start your own with their help via the Undergraduate Research Center. If you are super intrigued by elections and campaigns, make sure to participate in Campaign Semester. If you鈥檙e a pre-law student like me interested in hands-on experience, explore the Community Law Internship 8-credit class. Opportunities that may seem normal to use are exceptionally unique and only possible because we are in LA鈥攕o take advantage of 色界吧鈥檚 programs and apply them where your passions lie. Finally, I strongly encourage every politics major to build relationships鈥攚ith peers, professors, and alumni. We have a large community of driven, passionate individuals, and building relationships with them can help you grow in so many ways that you wouldn鈥檛 otherwise be able to in a classroom.


 

Eric Stump

Eric Stump

Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Major: politics, minor: public health

What was your motivation to major in politics?

The first politics class I took at 色界吧 was called 鈥淟aw and Society鈥 with Professor Alec Arellano. Focusing on the Supreme Court and its most famous cases and outcomes, I feared the material would just be a rehash of the AP Government class I had just taken. Thankfully, the class was a riveting exploration of one of the more obscure branches of our government, but what really convinced me of the merits of the politics major was the final assignment for the class. After examining so many different court decisions and their ramifications, we had to design a policy memo that would improve one specific aspect of policing. The open-ended nature of the assignment really let students demonstrate their research skills and innovative ideas related to the topic, and gave us far more agency in designing our final policies than I expected. Almost every other class I鈥檝e taken in the department has offered similar opportunities for open-ended research that lets students write about what actually interests them about politics.

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors?

The politics department absolutely wouldn鈥檛 be the same without its extremely knowledgeable and passionate professors. Both in and out of the classroom they care about individual students and their advancement, and will provide you with all the resources you鈥檒l need to succeed. Some of the best classes I鈥檝e ever taken have been with the politics department at 色界吧, particularly Black Political Thought with Professor Regina Freer and Research Methods with Professor Isaac Hale. These classes each challenged me to broaden my horizons as a student and a writer, and made me consider facets of political science equally as complex as they are important.

I find the intersection of theory and practice to be the most interesting part of politics. In order for any of us to produce meaningful change, we first have to understand why governments and individuals act the way they do.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

I find the intersection of theory and practice to be the most interesting part of politics. In order for any of us to produce meaningful change, we first have to understand why governments and individuals act the way they do. Both the theoretical and evidence-based aspects of politics can help us develop that kind of understanding, informing the movements that push for more equitable forms of government and economics. Politics is such a critical aspect of determining the form and function of nations across the world, so understanding the theory behind it has always been fascinating to me.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

After 色界吧, I plan to attend graduate school in order to get a master鈥檚 in Library and Information Science, something I never would have considered before attending classes here. The breadth of topics covered in 色界吧 classes, spanning 17th-century opera to neuroscience, has unearthed my passion for research and writing in a way that only a liberal arts education could. In addition, the politics department itself is structured in a way that ensures every student experiences the full range of topics encompassed within 鈥減olitics鈥, which helped me learn just as much about the practical applications of laws as their theoretical underpinnings. I wouldn鈥檛 be the student I am today without the challenging and diverse coursework offered under the politics department at 色界吧.

I wouldn鈥檛 be the student I am today without the challenging and diverse coursework offered under the politics department at 色界吧.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

I would say to come into the major with an open mind. Many of the classes in the politics major will contest the viewpoints you already hold, and challenge you to back up your beliefs with well-formulated, evidence-based arguments. Don't let this scare you away though, as you'll undoubtedly come away from the major with the ability to view politics as the complicated and nuanced topic it actually is. I would absolutely recommend at least checking out an introductory-level class and seeing if the politics major is for you.


 

Rachel Aujero

Rachel Aujero

Hometown: Fresno, CA
Major: politics, minor: religious studies

What was your motivation to major in politics? 

I came to 色界吧 with uncertainty about what career I wanted to pursue. I explored several different departments on campus by taking introductory classes. It wasn鈥檛 until my spring semester, when I took Professor Elizabeth Weiner鈥檚 introductory American Politics and Public Policy, that I felt excited about a specific department. I grew up in a county with a different political viewpoint than most of my state, which originally motivated my interest in politics. In Professor Weiner鈥檚 class, we learned about the mechanisms that dictate how politicians pass policy and the why behind voter patterns and legislator behavior. Our final project was the truly inspiring moment when I knew that politics was the major for me. We were assigned to write a 鈥減uzzle paper鈥 on a state that had policies or an election that puzzled us and to break down the make-up of its political system. This assignment gave me an 鈥渁-ha!鈥 moment where I realized that there could be a deeper explanation for why people vote the way they do or how policies are dictated. It ignited my passion for academia and learning, and is leading me to explore a career in politics or law.

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors?

The politics department would not be the extraordinary major it is without the faculty. The professors in our department are not only experts in their field, but they are the most helpful, encouraging, and grounded people I鈥檝e had the pleasure of learning from and working with. There has not been a time where I鈥檝e had a question/concern about a class topic or broader social issue that one of the professors has not taken the time to give me a thoughtful and well-researched answer. I鈥檝e been lucky enough to learn from and work alongside Professor Wiener. I took her Research Methods in Politics and Public Policy and U.S. Public Policy classes. Both are highly rigorous and exposed me to aspects of politics that I was originally intimidated by while giving me a concrete understanding. Specifically, the Research Methods in Politics and Public Policy course taught me how to conduct quantitative research by gaining abilities in coding, literature reviews, and theory development. This course exposed me to the world of politics research, which I now want to pursue in my academic career. Professor Wiener not only challenged me, but encouraged my passions in politics and was incredibly helpful when I was navigating coding for the first time. Not only was I able to develop an understanding of carrying out quantitative research through coding, but I am now her preceptor for Research Methods in Politics and Public Policy.

The intersectionality of the department provides students with a holistic political education and can prepare them for numerous opportunities post-色界吧.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

As a politics major, you are required to study in the five subfields of the major. The department is an intersection of theory, comparative politics, research, public law, and international affairs. The intersectionality of the department provides students with a holistic political education and can prepare them for numerous opportunities post-色界吧. By studying politics, I鈥檝e challenged myself in classes I love and worked alongside professors who support me.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

Since joining the politics major, my sights for my future have shifted, and I am now set on pursuing a career in law. I鈥檝e been able to take courses like Professor Alec Arellano鈥檚 Constitutional Law that gave me a sneak peak of what I can expect when I attend law school. I hope to pursue a career with an NGO, specifically writing legislation defending women鈥檚 rights and reproductive rights. I鈥檓 currently in my second year at 色界吧 and feel passionately about my future. However, that was not always the case. I came to 色界吧 with no idea what career I was going to pursue, so I was originally a STEM major thinking I would pursue medicine. The liberal arts approach, however, led me to explore all of my interests, like religious studies, history, and politics. I wouldn鈥檛 have been afforded the opportunity to truly explore my interest in politics if the liberal arts approach hadn鈥檛 encouraged me to look outside my intended academic focus. When I decided to study politics, I was confident in my decision because I had explored all other potential majors of interest. 

I wouldn鈥檛 have been afforded the opportunity to truly explore my interest in politics if the liberal arts approach hadn鈥檛 encouraged me to look outside my intended academic focus.

What is the 鈥渧ibe鈥 of the politics department?

You aren鈥檛 just a student in the politics department. You aren鈥檛 just attending classes and taking notes. You鈥檙e being equipped with skills that will translate in your academic pursuits outside of politics and your future after 色界吧. The 鈥渧ibe鈥 of the politics department directly reflects that because to the professors you aren鈥檛 just a face in their class. The professors have created a department that champions building community and forging relationships. I鈥檓 very grateful for the relationships I have formed with my professors, and I am equally grateful for the relationships I鈥檝e developed with my fellow politics majors. Some of my closest friendships have been made through taking courses in the department and engaging with departmental events.

 

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To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.

Politics Alumni

Emily Jo Wharry 鈥20

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Majors: politics, history

What was your motivation to major in politics?

I arrived at 色界吧 with a handful of potential majors in mind, but soon discovered that, of everything offered in the course catalogue, politics courses excited me most. Plus, my first semester in college overlapped with the 2016 elections, and the combination of taking Professor Caroline Heldman鈥檚 鈥溾 course while simultaneously witnessing the most turbulent election in recent history made me realize just how much I care about political engagement. Because of the spark that class gave me, I signed up for local phone banking efforts off campus, and later, I jumped into a car with a classmate to drive to Phoenix, Arizona to canvass neighborhoods during Get Out the Vote weekend. I鈥檝e found that politics professors really encourage and support you in breaking out of academia to get on-the-ground experience, which makes your classroom lessons that much more enriching and meaningful.

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors? Any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?

To me, the politics professors are the heart of the department. From 鈥溾 with Professor Ainsley LeSure to 鈥溾 with Professor Regina Freer, every single professor has challenged me to reexamine my beliefs, push beyond my comfort zone and articulate a viewpoint in a well-grounded, thoughtful way. Even more, the professors care deeply about your learning experience, and that shows in every office hours meeting and piece of detailed assignment feedback they hand back. My favorite course was Professor Thalia Gonz谩lez鈥檚 鈥,鈥 a constitutional law class taught in a seminar style similar to the kind you鈥檇 encounter in law school. We held oral arguments debating historically contentious Supreme Court cases and drafted responses to hypotheticals, and it was by far the most demanding鈥攁nd rewarding鈥攃ourse I鈥檝e taken.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at 色界吧?

I鈥檝e been incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with Professor Gonz谩lez for two years on various restorative justice projects, which have involved a whole host of experiences: collecting and interpreting survey data, designing and leading training sessions on dialogue facilitation, and co-presenting at conferences. I first enrolled in her 鈥溾 course the spring of my sophomore year having no idea what the term even meant, and I ended up discovering a passion for learning about a justice paradigm that is very different from our traditional, punitive one. This semester, I helped out as the teaching assistant in a redesigned version of that same course, and it鈥檚 been immensely rewarding to return to the course as an upperclassman in a totally different capacity and with a new set of responsibilities. My senior comps project will examine the implementation of restorative justice into sexual misconduct policies at various colleges and universities across the United States.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

Politics is compelling because it鈥檚 applicable in so many aspects of everyday life. You鈥檙e not simply learning about the three branches of government or demographic voting patterns, you鈥檙e untangling the complexities that create, maintain, or upend systems of power. Those insights apply everywhere鈥攍ocal grassroots organizing efforts, the bureaucracy of private corporations鈥攋ust as well as they apply to national politics. I also think there鈥檚 an element of empowerment to learning about politics. The more informed you are in the history and workings of government, the harder it is for others to take advantage of you or endanger your rights, and the easier it is for you to advocate for positive change in the issues and communities you care most about.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

I鈥檓 contemplating pursuing a job in publishing or restorative justice. I found those interests because, to the benefit of its students, 色界吧鈥檚 liberal arts model isn鈥檛 just an investment in academic breadth, but also in breadth outside the classroom. Besides my coursework, I鈥檝e been able to take advantage of internship opportunities at a nonprofit and a publishing house, as well as extracurriculars such as writing for the campus newspaper. The fusion of these hands-on experiences with my politics courses has been invaluable in showing me just how many different paths one can take to enact political change.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

Don鈥檛 be intimidated, talk to the professors! There are so many subfields within politics that you can pursue, and you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by brainstorming with someone who is familiar with your areas of interest. And when course registration rolls around, fret less over the overarching major and select courses with beloved professors whose course topics engage your passions and pique your curiosity. Most of all, let go of the fear of failure, because the courses that demand the most of you are the ones that stay with you long after graduation.


Teagan Langseth-DePaolis 鈥21

Hometown: Portland, OR
Major: politics; minor: Critical Theory and Social Justice

What was your motivation to major in politics?

Coming into 色界吧, the politics program was appealing to me. In addition to my curiosity about exploring politics courses at a school that is so politically engaged and social justice-oriented, the fact that it wasn鈥檛 a typical 鈥減olitical science鈥 major really intrigued me. My inspirational moment within the department came during my second semester at 色界吧, when taking Professor Jennifer Piscopo鈥檚 鈥溾 class. The course opened my eyes to the dimensionality and diversity within the politics major, and to the fact that I could study everything that I was interested in鈥攇ender, policy and advocacy鈥攊n one class!

Can you describe your working relationships with politics professors? Any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?

I fundamentally believe that what makes the politics major at 色界吧 so incredible is our faculty. The professors in this department are truly some of the most helpful, collaborative and receptive people I have ever encountered. I know that any time I have a question or concern about schoolwork or a broader political/societal inquiry, I can find a solution in the politics suite with one of our faculty members鈥攚hether or not they鈥檝e had me as a student. I have been lucky enough to establish close personal and professional relationships with both Professor Piscopo and Professor Thalia Gonzalez.

Two of my absolute favorite courses were 鈥淕ender and Politics in the Global South鈥 and 鈥.鈥 Both were rigorous, engaging and helped me gain a better understanding of the different elements of politics and law that I want to pursue later in life. Specifically, in Professor Gonzalez鈥檚 鈥淐ivil Rights and Civil Liberties鈥 course, I was nose-deep in the largest constitutional law textbook I have ever seen, and I could not have been happier all semester. The course material and assessments were thoroughly enjoyable and I genuinely felt that I learned something new and important about our judicial system every single day.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at 色界吧 or elsewhere? 

I have had the incredible opportunity to work with Professor Piscopo doing research for the past year and a half, in addition to working with Professor Gonzalez on a short research project this past summer. I would strongly recommend that politics majors take advantage of research opportunities鈥攚hat鈥檚 better than being able to collaborate professionally with your favorite professors while getting to research and analyze interesting political material?

Did you study abroad? How did it complement and/or enhance your education?

This fall, I studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland through an SIT program called Global Health and Development Policy. Its tailored focus on global health and contemporary policy issues enhanced my politics education by offering me a deeper insight into how global health is tackled on an international scale through humanitarian action and aid, as well as policy implementation. Additionally, this program offered great research opportunities, wherein each of us had to conduct primary research on a topic of our choosing. Doing a semester abroad offers opportunities that one simply cannot access in the States. I would highly recommend choosing a program based on the content of the program rather than the country in which it is based.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

What I find most compelling about studying politics is the diversity of topics within the department. Occidental鈥檚 politics department does a fantastic job of cultivating a holistic politics education鈥攚eaving together political theory with contemporary political issues, policy and substantive data collection. I constantly feel that I am being challenged to think in new and sophisticated ways about issues brought up in my coursework, and I have never been disappointed by a class in this department.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

After 色界吧, I hope to attend law school and go on to a career in legal representation for an NGO or other social justice-oriented organizations, working with reproductive justice and women鈥檚 rights. I believe that my liberal arts education has equipped me to tackle these ambitions by stressing the importance of intersectional approaches to learning. The variety of courses offered both within the politics department and by 色界吧 more broadly has opened my mind to concepts that I never would have considered in terms of how they relate to politics and policy. For example, taking a geology class in conjunction with an environment-related politics course granted me a more in-depth understanding of the specific types of policies that need to be crafted in relation to climate change. I really feel that the politics major has equipped me with relevant theoretical and substantive skills to allow me to engage in political discussions, and it has given me so much confidence to move ahead toward a career in law and policy.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

Build connections with your professors right away. I know this is mentioned frequently, but the relationships you have with your professors will open your mind and benefit you in ways that you might not even imagine. Also, take courses that challenge you! Just because you are a first-year or second-year doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 hold your own in upper-level courses. If you are interested in the content of the course, go for it! Also, take advantage of the politics suite as a study environment鈥攊t鈥檚 usually fairly quiet and you get to meet and interact with students and faculty in the department.


 

Ahladini Veerina 鈥20

Hometown: Los Altos Hills, CA
Majors: politics, sociology

What was your motivation to major in politics?

One of the main reasons I am majoring in politics is because it goes really well with my other major, sociology. My first and second years at 色界吧 I got really interested in sociology and quickly found that it had a lot of overlap with politics鈥攖he two disciplines work together in so many ways. In sociology, we focus on exploring social structures, institutions and interactions as well as deconstructing how social issues operate within and across these areas of our lives. In politics, we focus on how a deep understanding of social issues can help us create and implement changes that can help our communities. Politics acts as a natural extension of my studies in sociology, allowing me to translate my passion (and often frustration) around social injustices into concrete, actionable measures.

Can you describe your senior comps project?

For my senior comps project, I am going to be considering and attempting to expand the concept of 鈥渞acial triangulation,鈥 a term that was coined by political scientist Claire Jean Kim. Racial triangulation refers to the positioning of Black, White and Asian populations in the United States based on two dimensions: relative valorization (how much/whether individuals of this group are valued in society) and civic ostracism (how much/whether individuals of this group are considered insiders versus outsiders). My project will explore how the Latinx population (one of the largest and fastest growing groups in the U.S.) fits into this framework by tracing the historical development of Latinx as a racial group and then using court cases and legislation from a particular U.S. state to hypothesize their positioning.

What do you find most compelling about studying politics?

The focus on translating concepts and ideas into practical actions is a huge draw for me. At the same time, we engage in a continuous process of self-reflection about the feasibility, efficacy and other dimensions of movements for change. This pushes us to really stretch when it comes to thinking about whether various movements or initiatives have created or will create the real lasting changes we want to see.

What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

Right now, I think I would like to work in the field of education鈥攚hether that means in a more hands-on setting (teaching) or more of a policy/advocacy setting (public interest law). Reflecting on my time at 色界吧, I have found that in some way all the classes I have taken and the activities I have engaged in outside of class have led me back to my passion for working with young people and education. The liberal arts approach was important because it allowed me (and sometimes forced me) to take classes I might not have otherwise considered and to think and learn in new and different ways. Across disciplines, all of my classes have emphasized the importance of critically thinking about what you are studying or working on. Digging deeper and not taking things at face value has certainly helped me become a more thoughtful person overall, regardless of the field of study or type of work I pursue in the future.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in politics?

Stay passionate and fight for your community! Politics can be a daunting and sometimes discouraging area of study, but remember there are so many people like you who are working and fighting for change. Be critical and committed, but also be open to hearing and trying to understand other perspectives. Don鈥檛 be afraid of being wrong! And try to have fun with it.

 

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