The Scholarship of Engagement for Politics: - Higher Education ...

The Scholarship of Engagement for Politics
Politics has often been characterised as being a relatively
conservative discipline with respect to teaching and learning. I have argued
in this chapter that the investment made by HEFCE within Phase 5 of the
FDTL funding stream has had a significant impact on teaching and
learning within the discipline, as reflected in both the individual outputs of
the funded projects as well as a wider catalytic effect that has been
produced. It is noticeable that the conversations of a few years ago on the
futility of trying to develop teaching and learning activity within the
discipline are now a thing of the past. While there is no guarantee of future
levels of activity, it is clear that the impetus for these activities has outlived
the period of FDTL funding and the breath of the teaching and learning
community that is now active within the politics profession suggests that
there is a strong likelihood that these activities will prove to be sustainable
for the foreseeable future.
References
Craig, J. and Hale, S. (2008) ‘Implementing Problem-Based Learning in
Politics’ European Political Science, 7 (2).
HEFCE (2003) FDTL Phase Five: Invitation to Bid for Funds under Phase
Five of the Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning,
September 2003/46. Available online at www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/
hefce/2003/03_46/ (last accessed 20 July 2009).
Jones, R. (2007) ‘Interim Report on Politics FDTL 5 Projects: Enhancing
students’ learning experiences’. Available online at www.c-sap.
bham.ac.uk/hottopic/FDTL/interim_report.rtf (last accessed 20
July 2009).
Middleton, D. and Bridge, K. (2008) ‘Multimedia Learning: Lessons from
the PARLE Project’ European Political Science, 7 (2).
Sherrington, P., Axford, B., Blair, A., Curtis, S., Gibson, C. and Huggins, R.
(2008) ‘Research-Led Placements in Politics: A New Approach?’
European Political Science, 7 (2).
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