Roberto Alejandro's new book, Nietzsche and the Drama of Historiobiography is now avaialble through the University of Notre Dame Press.

The book "offers an original and unifying interpretation of Nietzsche's entire oeuvre." According to the publisher:

Ray La Raja and John Hird are 2011 receipients of a Residential First Year Experience (RFYE) Student Choice Award. The student choice award recognizes faculty who have made a significant impact on the lives of students during their first year of college. Only first year students may nominate faculty for this important award.

La Raja is Associate Professor of Political Science. His research interests include political parties, interest groups, elections, campaign finance, political participation, American state politics, public policy and political reform.

Jillian Schwedler, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Department honors program, is a recipient of one of this year's Distinguished Teaching Awards (DTA).

For over thirty years, the DTA has recognized and honored individual teaching ability and interest in student learning. Only current students or alumni may nominate faculty for this highly competitive and prestigious award. DTA recipients receive a monetary prize and are recognized at both the Undergraduate and Graduate Commencements.

“There is nothing quite like sitting in the courtroom before trial,” reports Joseph Mendes ’11 (legal studies), president and co-captain of the UMass Amherst Mock Trial team. “Your heart races and fingers twitch right up until the moment you make the first objection or deliver that powerful closing argument. It’s the competetiveness, the team bonding, the thrill of a trial and the accomplishments we’ve earned as team that have changed my UMass experience for the better.”