College of Social Sciences (2024)

College of Social Sciences (1)

Ph.D. The George Washington University

Office: McKee Fisk 212

Phone: 559.278.5324

E-mail: mram@csufresno.edu

Dr. Ram (Ph.D. George Washington University) studies international organizations (IOs), European integration, Central and Eastern Europe, international development, and human rights. Her work is published in Global Governance, Journal of International Organizations Studies, Comparative European Politics, Studies in Comparative International Development, Europe-Asia Studies, Ethnopolitics, and JEMIE (Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe), as well as other peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Her most recent research explores the cooperation between intergovernmental organizations on overlapping issues, both on a global scale on specific issues and as part of regional cooperation in Southeastern Europe. In prior research, she examined IO agenda-setting, the EU’s impact on domestic policies in Central and Eastern Europe, NGO advocacy, and the impact of migration on minority representation. A large body of her published work has focused on post-communist Central and Eastern Europe and Roma inclusion and discrimination in the context of IO policy and EU membership conditionality.

A recipient of the Fulbright Schuman European Union Affairs US Scholar Award (2022-2023) for research on regional international organizations, Dr. Ram’s previous research has been supported by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), the Wilson Center, the Cosmos Club Foundation, and the George Washington University Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, among others.

Dr. Ram has been recognized by Fresno State with the College of Social Sciences Faculty Service Award (2020) and the Provost's Promising New Faculty Award (2011). She has been actively involved in the university at all levels, including as Department Chair for 4 years, International Relations MA Program Director (4 years), Director of the College of Social Sciences Honors Program (2 years), and co-Chair of the College International Education Committee. She has served as an elected Senator on the Academic Senate for over a decade, an elected university-wide Senator on the Senate Executive Committee (8+ years), and has been appointed or elected to more than two dozen other university committees and task forces.

Dr. Ram teaches undergraduate courses on International Politics (PLSI 120), International Law and Organization (PLSI 126), the Politics of Foreign Aid (PLSI 122), and International Human RIghts (PLSI 127). During her time at Fresno State, Dr. Ram has also taught at universities in Ghana and Spain as a Visiting Professor through the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC). Prior to her current position, she served as an advisor and coordinator on U.S. foreign aid policy in the Washington, DC office of JICA, the Government of Japan’s main development assistance agency.

Dr. Ram's CV.

Select peer-reviewed publications:

European Union Roma Policy: Under Construction” in Research Handbook on Minority Politics in the European Union, eds. Tove H. Malloy and Balázs Vizi, 250-270. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022.

Regime Complexity and a Galvanizing Idea: Development Goals and Intergovernmental Organization Coordination,” Journal of International Organizations Studies 10, no. 2 (2019): 33-53.

"International Organization Autonomy and Issue Emergence: The World Bank’s Roma Inclusion Agenda,Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, 23, no. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 2017): 565 - 582.

"International Policy and Roma Education in Europe: Essential Inputs or Centralized Distractions?" Inclusion and Education Rights of Roma Children. Special Issue of the Alberta Journal of Education Research, 61, no. 4 (Winter 2015): 465 - 483.

"Europeanized Hypocrisy: Roma Inclusion and Exclusion in Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, 13, no. 3 (2014): 15-44.

"European Integration, Migration and Representation: The Case of Roma in France," Ethnopolitics 13, no. 3 (May 2013): 203 - 224.

"Legacies of EU Conditionality: Explaining Post-Accession Adherence to Pre-Accession Rules on Roma."
Europe-Asia Studies 64, no. 7(2012): 1191-1218.

"Lost in Transition? Europeanization and the Roma." L'Europe en Formation 364(Summer 2012): 417-434.

"Roma Advocacy and EU Conditionality: Not One without the Other?" Comparative European Politics 9 (March 2011): 217 - 241.

"Interests, Norms and Advocacy: Explaining the Emergence of the Roma onto the EU's Agenda." Ethnopolitics 9, no. 2 (June 2010).

"Romania: From Laggard to Leader?" In Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe, ed. Bernd Rechel (New York: Routledge 2009).

"The Roma" in Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe, ed. Bernd Rechel (New York: Routledge 2009) (with P. Vermeersch).

"Anti-Discrimination Policy and the Roma: Assessing the Impact of EU Enlargement" published in Croatian Yearbook of European Law and Policy 3(November 2007): 491-514.

"Democratization Through European Integration: The Case of Minority Rights in the Czech Republic and Romania" published in Studies in Comparative International Development 38(Summer 2003): 28 - 56.

"Minority Relations in Multiethnic Societies: Assessing the European Union Factor in Romania." Romanian Journal of Society and Politics 1, no. 2, special issue, "Romania and the European Union" (Nov. 2001):63-90.

College of Social Sciences (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest social science class in college? ›

Many students find the material interesting and relevant to everyday life. Another class to consider is Sociology 101. This course typically focuses on societal structures, relationships, and issues, and does not require prior knowledge. Topics can range from crime, religion, family structure, and social class.

What is difficult to do in social science research? ›

Theory building and theory testing are particularly difficult in the social sciences, given the imprecise nature of the theoretical concepts, inadequate tools to measure them, and the presence of many unaccounted factors that can also influence the phenomenon of interest.

Is social science a hard science? ›

For example, social sciences such as psychology and sociology use mathematical models extensively, but are usually considered soft sciences. However, there are some measurable differences between hard and soft sciences.

What is social science answers? ›

Social science is, in its broadest sense, the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us.

What is the hardest science class in college? ›

1. Organic Chemistry: Often a requirement for pre-med, biology, and chemistry majors, Organic Chemistry is reputed to be extremely rigorous due to the need to memorize numerous complex reactions and mechanisms. Many students also find the subject matter to be abstract and unintuitive.

What's the easiest study in college? ›

Get started!
  1. Anthropology. Anthropology majors examine humanity, with courses on archeology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. ...
  2. Business. Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. ...
  3. Communications. ...
  4. Criminal Justice. ...
  5. Education. ...
  6. English. ...
  7. Health. ...
  8. History.

What makes social studies hard? ›

Social studies courses often present lots of concepts, dates, places, and names, which can be difficult to remember. You will perform much better on tests if you devote significant time and effort to studying the material several weeks in advance of the exam date.

What is the major concern of study of social science? ›

Concerned with the human world and society, this field investigates the economy, human behavior, social institutions, and politics. In college, social science majors build strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which can be leveraged on the job market for an array of industries and jobs.

What are the weaknesses of social science research? ›

Some examples of limitations are small samples, shortage of data, researcher biases, fluency, and access.

What is the hardest science degree to get? ›

Chemistry is listed as one of the hardest science majors because it requires a diverse skill set and knowledge set. Students need to take courses in organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, calculus, and research methods. Many specialized courses involve complex terminology and chemical structures.

What is a soft degree? ›

By “soft” I mean the degrees that aren't known to easily get high paid jobs. For example: History, Art, English lit. Rather than say: IT, Medicine, finance, engineering etc..

What are the criticism of social sciences? ›

The primary criticism of Social Sciences as a whole rests in the lack of research and definable criteria to measure that research. Research is necessarily an expensive proposition so coming up with measurable parameters in Sociology, Psychology, History and most social sciences can be a major undertaking.

What are the 7 of social science? ›

There are eight disciplines of social science. Seven of those social sciences are: anthropology, archaeology, economics, history, geography, linguistics, and psychology.

Who is the father of social science? ›

Emile Durkheim, however, is revered as the founder of social science since he laid the groundwork for actual social study in the field of sociology.

What are some good social science questions? ›

History & Social Science Questions
  • What is a social system? ...
  • What is culture? ...
  • What is civilization? ...
  • Who are the important people in history? ...
  • What is ancient history? ...
  • What are some characteristic features of ancient civilizations? ...
  • What is modern history? ...
  • What are some characteristic features of modern civilizations?

What is the easiest science class in college? ›

What are the easiest science courses in college?
  1. Introductory Astronomy: This course usually covers basic concepts of the universe, solar system, stars, and galaxies. ...
  2. Human Biology or Anatomy: If you're interested in the human body, these courses might be appealing.
Jan 3, 2024

What is the easiest class in college? ›

10 Easiest College Classes to Choose Next Semester
  • Creative Writing. If you enjoy telling stories or writing a blog where you share your thoughts, the creative writing class will make you happy. ...
  • Psychology 101. ...
  • Humanities. ...
  • Biology. ...
  • Statistics. ...
  • Business Math. ...
  • Photography. ...
  • Film Studies.
Nov 2, 2023

Which history class is easiest in college? ›

These can include courses like "US History 101" or "World History 101". Such courses can be a good starting point if you're looking for a less rigorous class. It may also be easier to succeed in a course if you find the content interesting.

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