The development of a discipline
Subtitle: the history of the Political Studies Association
By: Wyn Grant
Series: Political studies special issues -- 2
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Hoboken, N.J
Language: eng
ISBN-13: 9781444332100
Description: "By tracing the history of the PSA, The Development of a Discipline: The History of the Political Studies Association reveals the changing nature of the study of politics in Britain and the development of British higher education. Shows how the PSA developed from a small elitist club to a highly professional discipline. Offers parallels to the development of the study of politics as a discipline in the UK. Appeal extends to those who study higher education and political scientists."--

"To a large extent, an academic association reflects - rather than shapes - the evolutionary changes of a discipline it seeks to serve. Or sometimes, if it cannot properly anticipate changes, it may run the risk of falling behind. Founded in 1950 to develop and promote the study of politics, the Political Studies Association (PSA) has itself gone through fundamental changes over the course of its development as the current leading association in its field in the UK. By tracing the history of the PSA, The Development of a Discipline: The History of the Political Studies Association also reveals the evolution of the study of politics and international relations in the UK into a highly-professional, diverse, scholarly community, with a broad agenda of research. The book first reveals the PSA's modest roots in the early 1950s as a somewhat elitist, club-like organisation resistant to outside influences. We are then shown how an expansion of higher education in Britain imposed new demands on the Association which it was not always able to meet. Coverage is included of the 1975 so-called 'Oxford coup' which led to an attempt to reinvigorate the Association, the PSA's setbacks of the 1980s, and its emergence as a highly professional organisation providing a wide range of services to its members and seeking to influence higher education policy. Also addressed is the changing role of women within UK political science and the PSA. This book offers rich insights into both the history of an esteemed association and the development of an entire academic discipline"--