The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Social Sciences recently recognized Elliott Manuel, a soon-to-be senior political science major at UW-Platteville, with the Outstanding Social Sciences Paper Award. The award included a $200 stipend.
The Outstanding Social Sciences Paper Award, selected annually by faculty in the Department of Social Sciences, offers an opportunity to highlight student successes in the classroom and stimulate further interest in research and writing.
Manuel, a Davenport, Iowa native, received the award for a research paper he wrote, “The Post-Apartheid South African Economy,” for the Modern Africa course, taught by Dr. Shan Sappleton, associate professor of political science at UW-Platteville. In the paper, Manuel used economic growth data (GDP, GDP per capita) from 1994-2016 to examine whether South Africa has experienced or failed to stimulate economic growth since the end of Apartheid and possible underlying reasons.
“I was both honored and excited to find out that I received the award,” said Manuel. “I became interested in researching the post-Apartheid South African economy after studying Apartheid and its implications on South African society in Dr. Sappleton’s Modern Africa class. I wanted to pick a research topic which I did not have much background knowledge on in order to broaden my horizons. Studying the history of South Africa allowed me to learn things that I would not have otherwise learned if I did not pick this research topic.”
“Elliott’s paper was truly outstanding,” said Sappleton. “It was well written, thorough and well researched. It really engaged the scholarship on the state of Africa’s economic growth and provided key insights into the case of South Africa particularly. Elliott has excellent writing skills, which, when coupled with his systematic approach to conducting empirical research and penchant for thorough, detailed analysis, makes for some impressive research papers. I have always looked forward to reading his submissions in my classes over the years.”
“Elliott is a great student and great writer, in general, so I am not at all surprised that he won this award,” said Dr. Travis Nelson, chair of the Departments of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice at UW-Platteville. “This particular paper was one of those that makes you think: yeah, he's ready to be really successful at graduate or law school.”
Impact of COVID-19
During the COVID-19 crisis, Sappleton, Nelson and other UW-Platteville faculty and staff adapted and realigned the delivery of their courses to ensure Manuel and other students continued to receive an outstanding, rigorous education, including hands-on learning experiences that prepared them for their future careers and life.
“COVID-19 definitely posed some challenges this semester, especially with adapting to the alternative delivery format,” said Manuel. “Luckily, with the help of my professors, I was able to persevere and have another successful semester. Nothing will ever beat the quality of face-to-face learning; however, my professors became innovative in the wake of the situation that was dealt to them. Finding successes, in light of challenges, makes those successes even sweeter.”
“Although alternative delivery instruction has obviously not been without its challenges, I’ve been really impressed by how students like Elliott have adapted and even thrived,” said Nelson. “It’s a testament to the perseverance and vibrancy of our students and instructors.”
Looking ahead
When Manuel graduates from UW-Platteville in May 2021, he hopes to pursue a career in law.
“With the school year over, I will now begin preparing for the LSAT,” said Manuel. “I also hope to complete an internship through the Washington Center internship program in Washington, D.C. next school year. Dr. Sappleton and the Political Science Program have always pushed me to achieve my goals, and I could not do it without their help.”