The David M. Howard Memorial Prize in American Politics recognizes outstanding achievement in graduate research in public policy, political behavior, or public opinion in the U.S. broadly understood.
Each year, IGS selects one UC Berkeley Ph.D. student to receive the award, which includes a cash prize of $2000.
Karen Villegas is a doctoral candidate in the Berkeley School of Education at UC Berkeley. She received her B.A. in Political Science from UCLA. Karen Villegas is a doctoral candidate in the Berkeley School of Education at UC Berkeley. She received her B.A. in Political Science from UCLA. Karen’s overarching work explores issues of language, citizenship, and nation-building processes.
Karen’s dissertation, supported by the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, is a study of the ideological conceptions of language and literacy practices in adult, English as a Second Language (ESL) citizenship classes. Adults enroll in these classes to prepare for the naturalization process; a means of acquiring U.S. citizenship available to lawful permanent residents after meeting extensive federal requirements. Using a range of methods, including interviews, participant observation, and archival research, Karen’s work shows how these learning spaces do not foster a sense of political incorporation or belonging, and instead position U.S. immigrants to identify as workers rather than citizens who can influence their world.
Help support the Howard Prize! Make an online gift in memory of David Howard, or send a check payable to the "UC Berkeley Foundation" to:
Howard Prize Fund
c/o Institute of Governmental Studies
109 Philosophy Hall # 2370
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2370
All donations to this fund are considered tax deductible charitable contributions under federal law.