Dr. Ivani Vassoler

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Ph.D. Government & Politics, University of Maryland. 
M.A., International Relations, University of San Diego, CA. 
BA, Journalism, School of Communication Casper Libero

SUNY Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning
Judy McInnis Award in Latin American Studies

 

Associate Editor: Urbana-Urban Affairs & Public Policy

Editorial Member (former Editor-in-Chief): Middle Atlantic Review of Latin American Studies
 

Teaching Interests

As an educator, I teach for the greater good. In addition to the theoretical, methodological, and analytical tools to enhance students' knowledge of the most pressing world issues, I instill humanistic values in my teaching. As we prepare students to take distinct roles in society, their learning must be infused with an appreciation for democratic principles, the dignity of human life, cultural diversity, and an awareness of our responsibilities to our communities and the environment. In my classes, I strive for a vibrant and safe learning environment. I bring real-world topics to the classroom and lead students to analyze them, considering their application in their future careers.

My teaching areas are in International Politics, focusing on Theories and History of International Relations, U.S. Foreign Policy, Comparative Politics, The Political Economy of Developing Nations, U.S.-Latin American Relations, Brazil's Urban Development Challenges, and Brazil's Politics and Development.

 

Research Interests

My research interests are two-prong - in international relations and comparative politics, with a focus on Latin American Political and Economic Development; Urbanization, and Metropolitan Development in Latin America; The Brazilian Political Economy; U.S.-Brazil relations; U.S.-Latin American Relations.

Awards and Honors

• Juddy McInnis Award - 2018, Mid-Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies (2018).
• President Award for Excellence in Teaching, State University of New York at Fredonia (2016).
• Honorary Member, Sigma Iota Rho, Honor Society for Intl Studies (2009).
• James Street Prize, Mid-Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies, 08)., 08). (Jame).
• Street Prize, Mid-Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies (12).

License/Certification

• TESOL: Graduate International Diploma in English Language Teaching
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language - Arizona University

Current Research

• Brazil's Metropolitan Development; Participatory Democracy in Brazilian Cities; The Political Economy of Brazil

Professional Membership

• Latin American Studies Association (LASA); Middle Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies (MACLAS), International Studies Association (ISA); Asociacion Latinoamericana de Ciencia Politica

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Programs

• International Visiting Faculty, Williams Fund (2022).
• Brown Bag Lecture Series, Carnahan Jackson for the Humanities (2021).
• Amy Elizabeth Everett Award - Latin American Metropolitan Development Research Project, SUNY Fredonia (2008).
• Scholarly Award - Participatory Democracy in Latin American Cities, SUNY Fredonia Sponsored Programs (2012).
• Individual Development Award - European Visions of the Americas Research Project, SUNY-UUP (2006).

Intellectual Contributions

• ""The Back and Forth of the Brazilian Political Economy in the 21st Century - A Critical Review"," Middle Atlantic Review of Latin American Studies, v. 3, i2 (2019).
• ""The Limits to Citizen's Power: A Critical View"," Delaware Review of Latin American Studies, v.17 (2016).
• ""A Política Externa Americana e Seus Criticos"," Revista Brasileira de Politica Internacional, 48 n.2 (2005).
• ""State Violence and Impunity in Authoritarian Latin America"," Perspectives in Political Science, 37, n 4 (2008).
• ""Empowering Citizens, Democratizing Democracy: Assessing Participatory Processes in Brazilian Municipalities"," Urbana-Urban Affairs & Public Policy, v. X (2010).
• ""The Mexican Mining Bubble that Burst" - In Alexander von Humboldt: From the Americas to the Cosmos," The City University of New York (2006).
• "Urban Brazil: Visions, Afflictions and Governance Lessons," Cambria Press (2008).
• "Reducing Latin America's Democratic Deficit from an Urban Perspective: Citizens, City Governments and the Limits of Change, Ed.," Scholars' Press (2017).

Media Contributions

• ""Urban Development in South America"," Foreign Exchange - PBS
• ""O Capitalismo na Roda"," Humanitas Magazine (Universidade Vale dos Sinos, Brazil)
• ""Brazil"," Great Decisions - PBS Series
• ""Bush in Latin America: Renewed U.S. Interest"," InfoBrazil Newsletter
• ""Falkland-Malvinas War - 30 Years Later"," Livrevista Magazine, UNESP

Presentations

• "“Whither Brazil?”," Transatlantic Forum, Toronto, Canada (2023).
• "The Political Economy of Latin American Cities," LASA Annual Meeting - 2023 (2023).
• "U.S. Students Studying Abroad: Teaching & Learning Expectations," Forum on Higher Education - Lisbon, Portugal (2022).
• "Sustainable Development Goals and Study Abroad Programs: Experiences and Models," Forum on Higher Education - Lisbon, Portugal (2022).
• "U.S. Environmental Policies and Brazil: A turning point in the Biden era?," MACLAS Annual Conference: Life, Struggle, and Expression in Uncertain Times in the Americas - (2021).
• "The Brazilian Political Economy," McGill University, Montreal Canada (2023).
• "Engendering a New Urban Fabric: Experimenting with New Urban Policies in Brazilian Shantytowns"," MACLAS Annual Conference, Colgate University, NY (2024).