Suchergebnisse

I want to dissent initially from the rather constricting frame of reference that Schubert has established in his paper. He has every right in the world to set rhetorical snares, but I have no intention of walking into them. If I may summarize, Schubert asserts that he is a spokesman for a radical new direction in the study of public law, claiming that the old ways are moribund. He further urges that we should look with envy at the creative function of the social psychologists who supplied the Supreme Court with the banners it carried in Brown v. Board of Education while we were bumbling around with historical and philosophical trivia. He concludes that instead of wasting our time with talmudic disputations on whether the Supreme Court reached the "right" or the "wrong" decisions in specific cases, we should settle down to build a firm "scientific" foundation for our discipline.Not the least amusing aspect of this indictment is that I find myself billed as the defender of the ancien régime, as the de Maistre of public law. Therefore, for the benetfit of the young and impressionistic, let me break loose from Schubert's rhetorical trap: I too think that much of the research done in public law—and, for that matter, in political science generally—has been trivial.

Historically men have sought knowledge in a variety of ways both for its own sake & in order to increase their control over the environment. Sci has increasingly made its impact on society through technical applications of sci'fic findings. Sci has thus helped to alter soc structure. At the same time increases in pop, in soc diff'tion, & heterogeneity have made necessary large-scale org. The effect has been felt in the structure of sci & the role & status of the sci'st; . for example, the individual scholar has been replaced to a considerable extent by the sci'- fic org man. Gov encouragement of some areas of sci'fic res has expanded enormously in the US, inevitably within a bur'tic framework. In the process the sci'st has come to be valued not for his scholarship but for his ability to provide solutions to specific problems & thus to increase national power. Bur 'cy has a price, but it is an org'al form which is understandably & functionally necessary & to which sci must adapt. AA.

Bibliography: v. 1, p. 28; v.2, p.276; v.3, p. [530] ; Mode of access: Internet.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to Oren, Ozminkowski, and Strake's
comments on my recent article on myths about the physical sciences. All of them in my
judgment either misperceive parts of my original argument or raise concerns that allow me to
extend that argument. To the degree that others share their views, this essay may address
widespread differences of opinion or misperceptions about these matters.

Reports on an evaluation of Political Science 545, a master's degree-level seminar offered at California State U at Fullerton that focuses on methods used by political scientists to conduct research & report findings. The course is intended to go beyond the usual objectives of learning, creativity, & motivation by requiring students to attend the Western Political Science Assoc (WPSA) conference & interview one of the paper presenters. Students are also encouraged to develop their own research project. Information was obtained from a survey of 31 students who were enrolled in Political Science 545 & attended the 2000 WPSA conference. The questionnaire was designed to measure the motivational level of the conference in relation to stimulating research ideas & seeking a career in political science. The results showed that exposure to the work of practicing political scientists had a positive impact on the students' graduate education by both enkindling creative research ides & providing career motivation. A summary of major student criticisms of the conference is included. 3 References. J. Lindroth