Nancy Powers teaches comparative politics, including the introductory "Modern Democracies" course and courses on Latin America, the developing world, immigration and global poverty. Her current research is about public discourse on immigration. Her publications include Grassroots Expectations of Democracy and Economy: Argentina in Comparative Perspective (University of Pittsburgh Press). She previously taught at Florida State University, Vanderbilt University and Lafayette College and she is especially pleased to be teaching at her alma mater.
Outside academe, Powers has worked as a legislative staff member in the Ohio House of Representatives and more recently as an advocate with faith-based organizations supporting immigrants and farmworkers. Her grantwriting won over $1.5 million for non-profit clients and her advocacy for Florida farmworkers earned her a Woman of Distinction Award in 2005 (given by Tallahassee Community College).
Areas of Expertise
Immigration. Latin American politics. Global poverty.
Education
1995 — Doctor of Philosophy from University of Notre Dame
1988 — Master of Arts from University of Notre Dame
1983 — Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College, cum laude
Courses Recently Taught
PSCI 101Y
Quest for Justice
PSCI 101Y
This course explores the relationship between the individual and society as exemplified in the writings of political philosophers, statesmen, novelists and contemporary political writers. Questions about law, political obligation, freedom, equality and justice and human nature are examined and illustrated. The course looks at different kinds of societies such as the ancient city, modern democracy and totalitarianism, and confronts contemporary issues such as race, culture and gender. The readings present diverse viewpoints and the sessions are conducted by discussion. The course is designed primarily for first-year students. Offered every year.
PSCI 102Y
Quest for Justice
PSCI 102Y
See description for PSCI 101Y.
PSCI 240
Modern Democracies
PSCI 240
Representative democracy came to be the most common form of government in Europe and the Americas in the 20th century, and in the last half of the century it became increasingly popular among the peoples of the rest of the world. Representative democracy takes many forms and confronts many challenges in its implementation. This course will explore the institutional variety of representative democracy, the causes of political stability and instability in democratic regimes, and the possibility of successful creation of democratic regimes in countries in which the political culture has not traditionally supported democracy. Case studies may include the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Russia, Brazil and Mexico. This is required for the major. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or PSCI 101Y. Offered every year.
PSCI 342
Politics of Development
PSCI 342
Alternative strategies of economic development pose the most difficult political choices for those countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America not yet blessed by economic prosperity. This course seeks to accomplish three related goals. First, it will explore the contending theories of development that have shaped the debate about development in the past half century: modernization theory, dependency theory, theories that emphasize state-led development and theories that seek to define sustainable development. Second, it will compare alternative strategies of development, especially as exemplified by successful (or thought-to-be successful) developing and developed countries. Third, it will consider a set of contemporary issues that complicate the efforts of countries to develop: globalization, environmental catastrophe, population growth and human rights considerations. Throughout, the definition of development and the desirability of economic growth will be questioned. This counts toward an upper-level comparative politics or international relations course for the major. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every two years.
PSCI 347
Democracy and Development in Latin America
PSCI 347
This course in contemporary Latin American politics examines the region’s substantial and interconnected processes of political and economic change. We also consider the ongoing challenges for the quality of the region’s democracies, particularly in light of poverty, inequality and globalization. Focus cases typically include Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala and/or Brazil. Key themes include the authoritarian regimes of the mid- to late 20th century, transitions to democratic rule, economic policy changes, human rights, political institutions, poverty and inequality, and populism. This counts toward an upper-level comparative politics or international relations course for the major. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
PSCI 355
Immigration, Citizenship and National Identity
PSCI 355
Migration is a worldwide phenomenon posing both opportunities and challenges for immigrants, their families, their countries of origin and the countries to which they move. Immigration policy often inspires virulent debates over border control, national identity, admission and citizenship policies, "guest" workers and bilingualism. The issues raise fundamental questions about human rights, citizenship and a political community’s rights to define and defend itself. The challenges are exacerbated by the fact that contemporary immigration is managed by nation-states, while migrants move in response to global economics and transnational relationships. This course deals with these issues by examining the social, economic and political forces giving rise to immigration today; the different ways nations have chosen to define citizenship and how those rules affect immigrants; the different strategies nations have used to incorporate immigrants; attempts to control immigration and their consequences; and the implications of immigration for recipient societies. About half of the course deals with the immigration experience and controversies in the United States, particularly with respect to migration from Mexico. The other half looks at these issues in Western Europe as well as in the developing world. This course is sometimes taught with a community-based research component, depending on the instructor. This counts toward an upper-level comparative politics or international relations course for the major. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
PSCI 366
Global Poverty, Policy, and Politics
PSCI 366
This comparative politics course examines the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in the developing world. Topics include the conceptualization, definition and measurement of poverty and inequality; the lived reality of urban and rural poverty around the globe; individual, structural and governmental causes of and solutions to poverty; and the possibilities for grassroots empowerment, public policy, international organizations, philanthropy and foreign aid to reduce poverty and inequality. This counts towards an upper-level comparative politics or international relations course for the major.
PSCI 391
PSCI 442
Contemporary Latin American Politics
PSCI 442
This advanced comparative politics seminar focuses on contemporary Latin America with emphasis on the institutions and quality of democracies in the region. Focusing on institutions, civil society and norms, we will analyze contemporary Latin American democracies from the perspectives of representation, participation, legitimacy, accountability and the rule of law. We examine successes and innovations, as well as problems and challenges for democracy. Readings draw on data and case studies of many countries, but most of the course does not focus on particular countries, but rather on core concepts and theoretical approaches used to analyze politics in the region. The seminar uses advanced readings and a strong emphasis on discussion, in-class presentations, and writing. Prior coursework in Latin America or PSCI 240 is recommended but not required. May be used toward Latino/a concentration, MLL-Spanish area studies, or international studies concentration, with permission of program director. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor.
PSCI 491
Special Topic
PSCI 491
Special Topic
PSCI 493
Individual Study
PSCI 493
Individual study in political science is available to students who want to pursue a course of reading or complete a focused research project on a topic not regularly offered in the department's curriculum. To enroll, a student must prepare a proposal in consultation with a member of the political science faculty who has suitable expertise and is willing to work with the student over the course of a semester. The proposal should include a statement of the questions the student plans to explore, a preliminary bibliography, a schedule of assignments, a schedule of meetings with the faculty member and a description of the elements that will be factored into the course grade. The student also should briefly describe any prior coursework that particularly qualifies him or her to pursue the project independently. The department chair must approve the proposal. The department expects the student to meet regularly with the instructor for at least the equivalent of one hour per week. Reading assignments will vary depending on the topic but should approximate a regular departmental course in that field. Students should expect to write at least 30 pages over the course of the semester for an individual study bearing 0.50 units of credit. The chair must receive proposals by the third day of classes. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.