Can we bridge the worlds of theory and policy? | Stephen M. Walt - 1 views
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And let's not forget that tenure isn't granted to allow a life-time of self-indulgent scholarship, but to allow scholars to take risks in their research and to confront controversial subjects without fear of coercion
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Lauren Dudley on 16 Oct 12This is an important fact as some would worry that teachers could get more laid back and not as helpful with job security, but it is nice to know that those who really love teaching still force the fact and that they are allowed to have security while helping with real world issues. I believe that the academic side really needs to force the fact that political science is important as it can help society.
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madison taylor on 17 Oct 12Yes, too many people take tenure as a time to relax and take vacation, when they should really use it as an expiramental time to offer a side or solution to controversies without the fear of being unsupported. It would be difficult for anyone to not take advantage of their tenure.
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Meghann Ellis on 17 Oct 12Many academic leaders take tenure as a time to adventure and relax because they now feel safe that no one will take their job away. In my opinion this time should be used to further use their experience in education to deeper their knowledge in their specific subject since technically no one can take their job away for no apparent reason
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elliott reyes on 17 Oct 12well i didnt know the deffinition of a tenure till now and honestly i do belive some teachers use that to in a way change either there classrooms or even the way they teach they may relax if not just give grades since they know the system so well. but this isnt a bad thing for teachers they know the cant lose there job so why worry i feel they take this time as a way to teach in away that the school will approve but without actually being told what to teach and how to teach.
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I think that Mr. Walt has it sort of right, at some point the research that is done in Academia becomes self indulgent of the scientist, they are just feeding their own curiosity rather than actually finding answers to questions held my many people and instead just a few who live their lives in the same area of academics and therefore have the same interests.
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I agree, but what does it honestly mean anyways. The percentages for finding something statistically significant in the social sciences are 5% or below. Political Science is so difficult to understand that they give them that much leverage to be right or wrong. In addition, the variables that they evaluate could have little or nothing to do with the point they are trying to make and in the end no one even really cares.
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For political scientists, that ought to mean using our knowledge to address important matters of concern in the real world, and to contribute to the broader public discourse on these topics
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Theres so many hot topics right now. Being a poli sci major I totally feel its my duty to know real world topics and address serious matters. Same thing to teachers like the article said, that's a responsibility we hold. Face issues many dont want to talk about
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I feel like people should make 'important matters of concern in the real world' known to them. It should be all people alike's responsibility (not only political science majors) to educate themselves on these matters so they could have a say and to think for themselves. These matters affect our own lives, educated or not. Therefore, it makes sense to at least be educated on some important matters that pertains to our interests or what we think would affect us most.
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I agree with Shannon. Although it is definitely the responsibility of those of us who study politics to be current and educated on all big issues, it is also the responsibility of the general public. I find it so sad that high school students (at least in Oregon) are only required one government and economic class while many other subjects were required every year. It shows where society places priority when in reality every single one of us is affected politics everyday in our lives. I remember when I first started studying political science at UO one of my professors showed a video they had made asking college students around campus who the vice president was or if the could name a single measure on the ballet or who the governor or senators were in Oregon and the majority of them could not answer a single question. Drawing it back to the reading I think it is because we have not done the greatest job of bridging the gap between theory and what is happening so people get so disconnected. It is up to us who study political science to understand the theories but make it interesting and applicable to real world issues.
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Political Scientists should address more important matters to inform society. Society needs to be more informed about political matters and things going on in our country. If society is not informed, our country can not function correctly.
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