 |
Dr. Linda S. Stevenson
|
Biography
I joined the International Relations team of the Political Science department West Chester University in 2002. My primary areas of teaching and research specialization are in comparative politics and international relations, with a focus in the region of Latin America, on topics related to democracy, equality, development and gender politics. In the 1980s I traveled to Haiti, Kenya, the former Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine and Latvia), and Mexico for short periods, but long enough to observe and formulate questions about poverty, inequalities and how transitions to democracy can occur?! These questions and the myriad of answers continue to drive me as a global citizen and as a political scientist.
In the early 1990s, I worked with a study abroad program in Cuernavaca, Mexico for five years, which led to my specializations on my professional path. From my base for graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh (which has an awesome Latin American Studies program!), I returned to Mexico for two years as a Fulbright Scholar to conduct my dissertation research on women in politics in the dynamic political context of a democratizing nation. As such, much of my work has focused on Mexican politics, and more recently in gender equity policies in Chile.
More recently, in light of the growing Latino and immigrant population in the U.S., my work has shifted to teaching, research, and service about and with Latinos and immigrants in Pennsylvania, and the United States in general. My Latino Politics course and the related conferences I have organized at WCU focus social and policy issues of the Mexican migrant population in southern Chester County and Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia.
On a personal note, I grew up in suburban Philadelphia, am married to a Latin American and have two sons.
Education
- Ph.D. Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2000
- Ph.D. Certificate in Women's Studies, 1997
- M.A. Certificate in Latin American Studies, 1997
- M.A. Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, 1995
- B.A. Political Science, College of Wooster, Ohio
Publications/Activities
Stevenson Linda and Maeve King, "Decolonizing praxis: migrant community educator and English as a second language teacher as allies in local struggles for equity and justice," Trayectorias Humanas Trascontinentales, 8. 2020
"The Bachelet Effect on Policies for Women and Gender Equity in Chile." Latin American Perspectives, Expected date of publication: December 2011.
"Women's Lives in Mexico: a beautiful, tragic mosaic." In Joyce Gelb and Marian Lief Palley, eds. Women in the World. NY: ABC-CLIO. 2009.
"Fragmented Feminisms and Disillusion with Democracy: Social Movement Downswings, Inadequate Institutions, and Alliances under Construction in Latin America." Latin American Research Review October 2007, v42 n3. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/LARR/prot/fulltext/vol42no3/Stevenson.pdf
"Assessing Mexico's Democratization: A Women's Civil Society Perspective." Jude Howell and Diane Mulligan, eds. Gender and Civil Society: Transcending Boundaries. Routledge Press. 2005.
"Confronting Gender Discrimination in the Mexican Workplace: Women and Labor Facing NAFTA with Transnational Contention." Women & Politics v.26 n.1, Sept. 2004. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J014v26n01_04
"La discriminación de género en el ámbito laboral." Revista de Ciencias Sociales, n. 101-102 (III-IV). San Jose, Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica. 2003.
"Gender Politics in the Mexican Democratization Process: Electing Women and Legislating Sex Crimes and Affirmative Action, 1988-1997." In Jorge Domínguez and Alejandro Poiré, eds. Towards Mexico's Democratization: Parties, Campaigns, Elections and Public Opinion. New York: Routledge Press. 1999.
"La Política de Género en el Proceso de Democratización en México: Eligiendo Mujeres y Legislando los Delitos Sexuales y Acciones Afirmativas, 1988-1997." Mexico City: Estudios Sociológicos de el Colegio de México v. XVII, n. 50: 519-558. 1999.
"Las Mujeres Políticas y La Izquierda en México: Reclamo de un Nuevo Espacio en la Política Institucional." In Maria Luisa Tarrés, ed. Género y Cultura en América Latina. Mexico City: Colegio de México. 1998.
Stevenson, Linda S. and Mitchell A. Seligson. "Se Desvanecen los Recuerdos de la Revolución. Se Está Desgastando la Estabilidad de México?" In Roderic Ai Camp, ed. Encuestas y Democracia: Opinión Pública y Apertura Política en México. Mexico City: SigloVeintiuno Editores. 1997.
Stevenson, Linda S. and Mitchell A. Seligson. "Fading Memories of the Revolution: Is Stability Eroding in Mexico?" In Roderic Ai Camp, ed. Polling for Democracy: Political Liberalization and Public Opinion in Mexico. Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources. 1996.
Community and Other Service
- Director of West Chester University's Latin American Studies Minor.
- Co-Coordinator of WCU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Events, 2008-2012.
- Co-Coordinator of annual Latino Communities Conference, 2008-2012.
- WCU Representative to Greater Philadelphia Latin American Studies Consortium.
- PSC Undergraduate Coordinator for Social Studies Teacher Certification program.
- PSC Internship Co-Coordinator, with John Kennedy.
- PSC Department Advising Committee Coordinator.
- Member, PSC Department Teacher-Scholar Model Committee.
- Elected Member, Women's and Gender Studies Program Executive Committee.
- Member, Peace and Conflict Studies Minor Faculty Committee.
- Member, Ethnic Studies Minor Faculty Committee.
- Member, Knowledge Crossing Borders Conference Organization Committee
- Member, WCU International Studies Advisory Committee
Classes Regularly Taught
- PSC 213 International Relations
- PSC 240 Comparative Politics
- PSC 310 US-Latin American Relations
- PSC 301 Women and Politics, Diverse Communities ("J") course
- PSC 317 Contemporary International Relations, with optional week-long seminar in Nicaragua, "The Crisis in Your Coffee Cup" on free and fair trade relative to the coffee industry, March 1-7, 2009.
- PSC 340 Latin American Culture & Politics, Diverse Communities ("J") course, including Service Learning options with local Latino community organizations.
- PSC 353 Latino Politics, including Service Learning and Applied Research with local Latino organizations.
- PSC 412 Internship Director rotated with John Kennedy
- HON 313 Public Opinion and Democracy (Honors College, with Frauke Schnell)
- Mexican Presidential Elections Seminar - (non-credit 2006), Six West Chester students
participated in week-long seminar and Official Elections Observation of July 2 elections
(approved by Federal Electoral Institute of Mexico and Mexican Consulate). Organized
in collaboration with Center for Global Education, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Work History
- 2007-present: Associate Professor, Political Science, West Chester University
- 2002-2007: Assistant Professor, Political Science, West Chester University
- 2000-2002: Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics, Government Department, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky.
- 1999, September-December: Visiting Scholar, El Colegio de México, Mexico City.
1998, Summer; 1999, February - May; September-December: Political Science Lecturer, Center for Global Education (CGE), Augsburg College, Cuernavaca, Mexico. Courses taught: - Development Process; Women in Politics; Political Economy of Development in Latin America; Gender and Environmental Perspectives.
- September 1995-August 1997: Graduate Student Assistantship, Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), University of Pittsburgh.
- Spring, 1994-Spring 1995. Teaching Assistantships, University of Pittsburgh.
- August 1990-July 1993. Special Projects Coordinator, CGE, Augsburg College, Cuernavaca Mexico, co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Links to External Websites
- WCU Latin American Studies
- American Political Science Association
- Latin American Studies Association
- International Studies Association
If you are interested in Latin American Studies, on Facebook become friends with:
- Greater Philadelphia Latin American Studies Consortium
- WCU Latin American Studies