BACHELOR OF ARTS

1. Description générale du programme Les études d’Italien conduisant au Diplôme universitaire en Lettres (BA) – Domaine III ont une durée de trois ans (6 semestres) et proposent une formation conjointe en littérature, philologie et linguistique italiennes. Les études peuvent débuter au semestre d’automne ou au semestre de printemps. Le programme d’études de Bachelor en Langue et Littérature Italienne en branche complémentaire propose une formation qui met l’accent sur les méthodes spécifiques d’analyse du texte littéraire. Une introduction à la philologie italienne et à l’histoire de la langue italienne permet d’acquérir les connaissances nécessaires pour aborder l’ensemble des textes littéraires. L’apprentissage de la métrique, de la rhétorique, de la stylistique et de la narratologie constitue la base de toute approche littéraire. Dès le premier semestre d’études, l’approche didactique privilégie la forme du séminaire, qui favorise une participation et un apprentissage actif des étudiant-e-s et leur permet de développer et de valoriser leurs compétences par le travail individuel ou en petits groupes. Les collaborateurs et collaboratrices du Domaine sont attentifs et attentives, dans leur enseignement, au rôle que la langue et la culture italienne jouent en Suisse et à leur caractère constitutif du patrimoine littéraire et intellectuel du Pays. Le plan d’études de ce programme de Bachelor est organisé en un module de base M1 (cours et séminaires propédeutiques, d’analyse de la poésie et du récit, de philologie et d’histoire littéraire) et en un module d’orientation littéraire M2 (histoire littéraire et histoire de la langue).


Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs
On behalf of the Elliott School's faculty, staff, and alumni, congratulations to the class of 2024 on the completion of your degrees!You have made it to this day, and we celebrate all that you have accomplished.
You will cross the stage on May 17, poised to tackle the complex international challenges before us-and there are many.Your generation is graduating into a complicated international environment.Geopolitics is back; new and intensified conflicts continue; and all against a backdrop of other global issues now shaping our understanding and our horizons.
The international affairs field must now consider the effects of disinformation, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, energy transition and climate, and other concerns linking science, technology, economics, and national security.These are just a few of the issues that will shape the questions you will encounter in the years ahead.Your time at the Elliott School has given you the analytical toolkit, and the practical skills needed, to assess, address, and take action in whatever domain you choose to pursue.
You now join the Elliott School's alumni community family of more than 27,000 graduates across more than 100 countries.Our faculty, staff, and all your advisors who helped you craft your own road ahead, wish you the best of luck.

STUDENT SPEAKER
Waiki Law, originally from Hong Kong, is graduating with a Master of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on conflict resolution.Waiki came to the U.S. as an international student and graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism and business from Pennsylvania State.She embarked on a journalism career in New York City and Los Angeles, where she covered crime, immigration and socio-economic issues, including exposing cases of racial harassment and abuse against Asian Americans in the military.Her advocacy extended beyond reporting as she pushed for the Service Member Anti-Hazing Act in Congress, subsequently signed into law by President Obama.Grateful for the opportunities afforded to her, Waiki chose to serve by joining the U.S. Army and was deployed to Afghanistan amidst the final stages of U.S. withdrawal to evacuate Afghan allies.Driven by the belief that some world events are too big to ignore, she remains steadfast in making an impact in the face of global challenges.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Dr. Rajiv J. Shah serves as President of The Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution with a mission to promote the well-being of humanity around the world.The Foundation applies data, science, and innovation to improve health for women and children, create nutritious and sustainable food systems, end energy poverty for more than a billion people worldwide, and enable meaningful economic mobility in the United States and around the world.

ELLIOTT SCHOOL PRIZE AND AWARD WINNERS
The Distinguished Scholar Award is awarded to an undergraduate based on academic achievement, independent research and scholarly initiative, leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities, participation in co-curricular experiences and honors and/or awards received.
Andy Tomusiak, from Boulder, Colorado, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on conflict resolution and minoring in Arabic and political science.For his Dean's Scholars thesis, he created a database to study why regime leaders pardon failed coup plotters, which he presented at the The Prize in Foreign Affairs is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability in studying international affairs while displaying the qualities necessary to be a good citizen and dedicated public servant.The prize is usually awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student yearly.
John Stahmer, an active-duty Army officer originally from Eugene, Oregon, is graduating with a Master of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on international development and Asian studies.John is a civil affairs officer focusing on the Indo-Pacific.John's capstone project focused on how the U.S. and its allies can prevent a dual contingency in the Indo-Pacific.While at the Elliott School, John was president of the Organization of Asian Studies.He also interned on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Indo-Pacific Subcommittee and the Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.After graduation, John will return to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and continue his military career.During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.
Jirayu "Chow" Paueksakon, of Nashville, Tennessee, is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on international politics and minoring in public policy.He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and served as president of the Elliott School's Sigma Iota Rho honors society chapter.Chow's senior thesis, earning a special honors designation, focuses on conflict resolution theory from indigenous perspectives.Chow supported the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) by speechwriting and assisting in developing the first AANHPI forum since the Obama Administration.He also interned for the White House and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and supported their correspondence efforts with the American people.Chow plans to attend law school, specializing in foreign policy and intellectual property.

ELLIOTT SCHOOL PRIZE AND AWARD WINNERS (Continued)
The John Henry Cowles Prize is awarded to an undergraduate student who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential.
Evelyn Elliott, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on conflict resolution and minors in history and political science.During her time at GW, she was involved in and presided over the leadership of the university's only first-generation college student organization, First-Gen United.Evelyn was a senior correspondent for The Organization for World Peace, consulted in marketing and communications for the international children's literacy nonprofit Worldreader and worked at GW's Student Support Center.She was awarded the Student Organization Member of the Year Award and received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.Next year, she will begin her graduate studies with a Master of Public Administration at GW's Trachtenberg School.After that, she plans on working in global child and community development.
The Norman H. Friend Prize is awarded to an undergraduate who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential.
Aarushi Jain, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a dual Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and economics, concentrating on international development.Aarushi researched greenwashing in the green bond market as part of the Elliott School Dean's Scholars program and presented her findings at Harvard's National Collegiate Research Conference.For her economics thesis, she researched renewable energy feed-in tariffs.Aarushi was president of GW Women in Economics, a peer advisor for IAFF 1001, and the Undergraduate Economics Society's Federal Reserve Program chair.She also volunteered as an economics tutor for the GW Academic Commons and was a member of Sigma Iota Rho.She interned with the Institute for Sustainable Development, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Emerging Economies and the U.S. Postal Service.After graduation, Aarushi is hoping to pursue a career in sustainable economic development.
Tappy Lung is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and political communication, concentrating on Asia.While at GW, Tappy co-founded and led the U.The Walter Roberts Award for Public Diplomacy Studies is given to students who have shown exemplary performance in their academic work in public diplomacy and aspire for future careers in the field.
Matthew Snow is graduating with a Master of Arts in global communication.Matthew's journey in public diplomacy at GW has been defined by a deep-seated passion for bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding.His commitment and dedication to global communication extend beyond the classroom, where he actively engages with his peers, shares his knowledge and encourages creative thinking.His professors recognize him as a thoughtful student and a supportive peer.With Matthew's unwavering commitment to the field and ability to cultivate a collaborative environment, he is poised for a successful career in public diplomacy.
The Edward "Skip" Gnehm Leadership, Ethics, and Practice Prize is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated leadership and ethical thinking during their GW tenure.
Shreya Agarwal, from Pune, India, is graduating with a Master of Arts in international development studies, concentrating on gender and development and democracy and governance.While at GW, Shreya served as the co-founder and vice-president of the ESIA South Asian Board and the vice-president of the Organization for International Development.Shreya presented her research on community health workers in India and Bangladesh at the 67th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2023.Additionally, she featured her research on sextortion as a gendered form of corruption in the public administration sector of Sri Lanka at Georgetown University's Democracy and Governance Research Symposium.Shreya aspires to pursue work in development research that feeds into inclusive, equitable and sustainable policymaking.
Isabella Nieminen, from New York City, New York, is graduating with a B.A. in international affairs, concentrating on European and Eurasian studies and conflict resolution.Isabella conducted her Dean's Scholars thesis on democratic/civil society resilience in the Republic of Georgia and the post-Soviet space.Isabella has worked for the German Marshall Fund's Alliance for Securing Democracy, the Center for European Policy Analysis and Project Common Bond.Isabella was awarded the Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship, Undergraduate Research Award and Shakespeare Company Best Lead Performer Award and was recognized as an Enosinian Scholar, a distinction granted to GW's most outstanding theses.Isabella received a Fulbright award from the Republic of Georgia.She plans to obtain a J.D./LL.M. and work in human rights law.
The Elliott School Graduate Student Prize is awarded annually to an Elliott School graduate student who, in the opinion of the dean and the faculty, deserves recognition for academic achievements and contributions to the life of The George Washington University.
Jillian Talenda is graduating with a Master of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on international security studies and science and technology policy.She is a recipient of the National Science Foundation's CyberCorps Scholarship for Service.She has always had a passion for public service, having held internships at the State Department, CISA and currently as a researcher of post-quantum cryptography for the U.S. government.Jillian serves as the president of the Elliott School Graduate Board and loves bringing together the graduate student community through events like the Elliott School Gala.She is also a dancer and public relations chair for Balance, the GW dance group.She will be working as a cybersecurity analyst for the U.S. government upon graduation.

SPRING 2024 DEAN'S SCHOLARS
Aarushi Jain is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and economics, concentrating on international development.Her project is titled "Identifying and Combating Greenwashing in the Green Bonds Market: Green Bond Principles and the Percentage of Women on the Board of Directors." Aline Keledjian is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and history, concentrating on conflict resolution.Her project is titled "Towards a New Activism: Redefining Genocide Memory in the Armenian-American Context." Nam Tran-Nhat Lam is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on international development and security policy, and minoring in economics.His project is titled "The Evolution of China's Soft Power Engagement Strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Role of Diplomatic Relations, Outward Foreign Direct Investments, and Public Opinion." Akber Latif is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on conflict resolution and minoring in economics and political science.His project is titled "Freedom Through Recognition: Kosovo's Pursuit of International Autonomy." Chit Su Lwin is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on Asia and minoring in entrepreneurship and innovation.Her project is titled "Myanmar's Democratic Resistance Movement: Persisting through Innovative Funding Mechanisms." Isabella Nieminen is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on European and Eurasian studies and conflict resolution and minoring in political science.Her project is titled "Bonds Beyond Borders: Promises & Pitfalls of International Responses to Post-Soviet Civil Society Repression." Anissa Ozbek is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on Security Policy.Her project is titled "Sacrifices at the Altar of a Higher Power: A Study of Dissident Literatures from Authoritarian Regimes." Nina Giovanna Plateroti is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on gender in international affairs and minoring in Italian language, literature, and culture.Her project is titled "Climate Exacerbated Human Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy."Kaili Scott received her Bachelor of Science in international affairs and public health this past January.Her project was titled "Climate Change and Migration in Tonga: Divergent Reasons Behind Tongan Mobility and Immobility." Lalitha Shanmugasundaram is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in international affairs, concentrating on international development and international environmental studies and minoring in mathematics.Her project is titled "Balancing Gender Equality and the Environment to Combat India's Menstrual Waste Issues." Andy Tomusiak is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on conflict resolution and minoring in Arabic and political science.His project is titled "To Pardon or Punish?Amnesty for Failed Coup Plotters as a Leader Survival Strategy." Olivia Wisont is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs, concentrating on security policy.Her project is titled "The Question of Reunification with China: Taiwanese Opinions and Domestic Audience Cost." So Raise High, Elliott School graduates of 2024!You are ready to make your mark on the world, and we can't wait to see what you do! Alyssa Ayres Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs 2024 ELLIOTT SCHOOL SPEAKERS Alyssa Ayres Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs DEAN'S BIOGRAPHY Appointed in February 2021, Alyssa Ayres is the first woman to serve as permanent dean at the Elliott School.She is a foreign policy practitioner and award-winning author with senior experience in the government, nonprofit and private sectors.From 2013 to 2021, she was a senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she remains an adjunct senior fellow, and from 2010 to 2013 served as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia.Her work focuses primarily on India's role in the world and on U.S. relations with South Asia in the larger Indo-Pacific.Ayres received an AB from Harvard College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission and the Halifax International Security Forum's agenda group and serves on the board of directors of the National Endowment for Democracy and the Women's Foreign Policy Group.In 2021 and 2022, the Washingtonian included her as one of their "most influential people shaping policy." In 2009, he was appointed USAID Administrator by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.Dr. Shah reshaped the $20 billion agency's operations in more than 70 countries around the world by elevating the role of innovation, creating high-impact public-private partnerships and focusing U.S. investments on delivering stronger results.Shah secured bipartisan support that included the passage of two significant laws -the Global Food Security Act and the Electrify Africa Act.He led the U.S. response to the Haiti earthquake and the West African Ebola pandemic, served on the National Security Council and elevated the role of development as part of our nation's foreign policy.Prior to his appointment at USAID, Shah served as Chief Scientist and Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics at the United States Department of Agriculture, where he created the National Institute for Food and Agriculture.In October 2023, Dr. Shah published Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens with Simon & Schuster's Simon Element imprint.In the book, Dr. Shah shares a dynamic new model for realizing transformative change, inspired by his own work and that of The Foundation on some of the biggest humanitarian efforts of the 21st century.Shah founded Latitude Capital, a private equity firm focused on power and infrastructure projects in Africa and Asia and served as a Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Georgetown University.Previously, he served at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he created the International Financing Facility for Immunization which helped reshape the global vaccine industry and save millions of lives.Raised outside of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Shah is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Wharton School of Business.He has received several honorary degrees, the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award and the U.S. Global Leadership Award.He is married to Shivam Mallick Shah, and they have three children.Benjamin D. Hopkins Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs HARRY HARDING TEACHING AWARD AND CHARGE TO GRADUATES The Harry Harding Teaching Award is given to a member of the Elliott School faculty who has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching and has made extraordinary contributions to the education of Elliott School students.Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Benjamin D. Hopkins oversees the Elliott School's academic programs, graduate admissions, international exchanges and student services.Benjamin D. Hopkins is a historian of modern South Asia, specializing in the history of Afghanistan and British imperialism on the Indian subcontinent.He has authored, co-authored and co-edited numerous books on the region, including "The Making of Modern Afghanistan," "Fragments of the Afghan Frontier" and "Beyond Swat: History, Society, and Economy along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Frontier."His latest book, "Ruling the Savage Periphery: Frontier Governance and the Making of the Modern State," which won the Association of Asian Studies Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Prize (2022), presents a global history of how the limits of today's state-based political order were organized in the late nineteenth century, with lasting effects to the present day.He is working on a manuscript about the American war in Afghanistan, provisionally entitled "The War that Destroyed America" and "A Concise History of Afghanistan," for Cambridge University Press.Professor Hopkins has received fellowships from the Council on Foreign Relations, the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C., the National University of Singapore and the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe.His research has been supported by the Leverhulme Trust (UK) the British Academy, the American Institute of Iranian Studies, the Nuffield Foundation (UK), and Trinity College, Cambridge.
S.-China Strategic Studies Organization and was part of the Women's Leadership Program.She interned at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, supporting government and private sector efforts to strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Asia.Tappy has completed research fellowships at the GW Institute of Korean Studies and the Taiwan Education Research Program and has published articles with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.She also received the Outstanding Academic Achievement and International Women of Elliott awards.After graduation, Tappy will research democracy in Malaysia as a Fulbright scholar.
Stanford University Research Conference.Andy worked at the Department of State's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, U.S. Africa Command, the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute and the Fund for Peace.He is a member of the U.S.-Vietnam Youth Leadership cohort at the United States Institute of Peace and co-founded the Atlas Interfaith Fellowship.Andy has been recognized with the Outstanding Academic Award, Undergraduate Research Award, Georgetown Army ROTC Best Cadet and Distinguished Military Graduate.After graduation, Andy will be commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and plans to pursue a dual MPP/MA in conflict resolution.