In
higher education, a 'discipline' may refer to a specific area or body of knowledge that is researched or taught by a
university faculty (such as politics, semiotics, geography, theology, physics), covering various areas of scholarly and experiential pursuit.
The term may also denote any training intended to develop
moral character, or produce a
pattern of
behaviour. "Discipline" in this context, while often thought to be a coercive mechanism, can be a collaborative process of building consensus regarding accepted behavior within institutions and society.
'Self-discipline' is the ability to exercise control over one's behaviour or
emotions (see
self control and
willpower). Self-discipline is to some extent a substitute for
motivation, when one uses reason to determine a best course of action that opposes one's desires.
Lord Alfred Tennyson commented on self-discipline in this way: "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control. These three alone lead to sovereign power", with "self-control" meaning self-discipline.
In
unionised companies, 'discipline' of employees may be a regulated part of a collective bargaining agreement and subject to
grievance procedures.
See also
★
School discipline