Repko, Szostak, and Buchberger present readers with the second edition of their comprehensive guide to the basic theory and practice of interdisciplinary studies on a collegiate level. The authors cover interdisciplinary research, the cognitive toolkit necessary for excellence in interdisciplinary studies, thinking critically about integration and its results, and many other related subjects. Allen F. Repko is a retired faculty member of the University of Texas at Arlington. Tim Carstens is a faculty member of the University of Alberta in Canada. Michelle Phillips Buchberger is a faculty member of Miami University. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
This comprehensive new introduction to interdisciplinary studies draws on recent advances in the field's burgeoning literature on learning and assessment. It is the first book to present these foundational principles in a textbook designed specifically for the introductory course. The book introduces students to the principles of the field, prepares them to produce quality work, and facilitates their working with topics, problems, or themes that span multiple disciplines. Its approach is succinct, conceptual, and practical.
The Second Edition provides a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary studies with an approach that is succinct, conceptual, and practical. Completely updated to reflect advances in the literature on research, learning, and assessment, the book describes the role of both disciplines and interdisciplinarity within the academy, and how these have evolved. Authors Allen F. Repko, Rick Szostak, and Michelle Phillips Buchberger effectively show students how to think like interdisciplinarians in order to facilitate their working with topics, complex problems, or themes that span multiple disciplines.
Arvustused
"With its clear examples, interesting analogies, and detailed deconstruction of interdisciplinary studies (IDS), this text really helped my students to "get" IDS and interdisciplinarity. It breaks down the process into manageable and understandable parts." -- Mallory Koci * peer review * "This text provides a good foundation for the bigger picture of interdisciplinary studiesas a cognitive process, and a different way of thinking that may lead to new solutions for complex real-world problems." -- Michele C. Everett * peer review * "The book effectively lays out the concepts that underlie both interdisciplinary and disciplinary approaches, positioning them as complementary rather then setting them in opposition. The later chapters offer practical ways to implement this approach that have proven effective in helping my students define, research, and produce actual interdisciplinary work." -- Dr. David Sidore * review *
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART I: UNDERSTANDING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
1. Interdisciplinary Studies in the Real World
Why Interdisciplinary Studies Matters
What Is Driving Interdisciplinary Studies Today
The Academic Benefits of Pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree
Interdisciplinary Studies and Your Career Development
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
2. The Rise of the Modern Disciplines and Interdisciplinarity
Why the Past Matters
The Rise of the Modern Disciplines
The Rise of Interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinaritys Criticism of the Disciplines
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
3. Interdisciplinary Studies Defined
Why Definitions Matter
Defining Interdisciplinary Studies
Differences Between Disciplinarity, Multidisciplinarity,
Interdisciplinarity, and Transdisciplinarity
Two Conceptions of Interdisciplinarity
Useful Metaphors of Interdisciplinary Studies
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
4. The Interdisciplinary Studies Cognitive Toolkit
How She Did It
Intellectual Capacities
Values
Traits and Skills
Ways to Apply Your Interdisciplinary Toolkit
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
5. Academic Disciplines
Disciplines and Disciplinarity Defined
The Epistemic, Social, and Organizational Dimensions of Disciplines
The Concept of Disciplinary Perspective
The Defining Elements of a Discipline
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
6. The DNA of Interdisciplinary Studies
Assumptions of Interdisciplinary Studies
Theories Supportive of Interdisciplinary Studies
Epistemology of Interdisciplinary Studies
How Interdisciplinary Studies Sees
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
PART II: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
7. Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Perspectives
What It Means to Think Critically About Disciplinary Perspectives
Developing a Sophisticated Conception of Knowledge
Why Interrogate Disciplinary Perspectives (or Practice Critical
Pluralism)
How Interdisciplinarians Interrogate Disciplinary Perspectives
Critical Thinking Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
8. Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Insights
Critical Thinking Attitudes
Categories of Statements
Critically Analyzing Disciplinary Insights
Mapping Interdisciplinary Connections
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
9. Thinking Critically About Integration and Its Results
Approaches to Interdisciplinary Integration
The Broad Model Approach to Integration
Strategies for Integration
The Result of Integration
Reflecting on What Was Achieved
Critical Thinking Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
PART III: INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND WRITING
10. An Interdisciplinary Research Road Map
The Power and Usefulness of Research
Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research
The Broad Model of the Interdisciplinary Research Process
STEP 1: Define the Problem or State the Research Question
STEP 2: Justify Using an Interdisciplinary Approach
Critical Thinking Questions
Applications and Exercises
Peer Evaluation Activity
11. Identifying Relevant Disciplines and Gathering Information About the
Problem
STEP 3: Identify Relevant Disciplines
STEP 4: Conduct a Literature Search
The Broad Model Rubric Applied to STEPS 3 and 4
Critical Thinking Questions
Critical Thinking Scenario
Peer Evaluation and Edit Activity
12. Analyzing Insights and Reflecting on Process
STEP 5: Critically Analyze the Disciplinary Insights Into the Problem
STEP 6: Reflect on How an Interdisciplinary Approach Has Enlarged Your
Understanding of the Problem
Conclusion
Critical Thinking Questions
Appendixes
A. Intellectual Autobiography
B. Student Portfolios and Blogging
C. Service Learning, Internships, and Alternative Projects for Nontraditional
Students
D. The Broad Model Rubric: Instructor Version and Sample Student Outline
E. Answer Key
Glossary of Key Terms
References
Index
Allen F. Repko, PhD, is the former director of the interdisciplinary studies program in the School of Urban and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he developed and taught the programs core curriculum for many years. The program is one of the largest in the United States. Repko has written extensively on all aspects of interdisciplinary studies, has twice served as coeditor of the interdisciplinary journal Issues in Integrative Studies, and has served on the board of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS).
Rick Szostak, PhD, is professor and chair of economics at the University of Alberta, where he has taught for 34 years. He is the author of a dozen books and 50 articles, all of an interdisciplinary nature. Several of his publications address how to do interdisciplinary research, teach interdisciplinary courses, administer interdisciplinary programs, or organize information in order to facilitate interdisciplinarity. As an associate dean, he created the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Alberta, the Science, Technology and Society program, an individualized major, and two courses about interdisciplinarity. He has twice served as coeditor of the interdisciplinary journal Issues in Integrative Studies. He was president of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) from 2011 to 2014. He can be contacted at rszostak@ualberta.ca.
Michelle Phillips Buchberger, PhD, is an assistant professor of integrative studies at Miami University. She previously proposed, developed and chaired the B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies program at Franklin University. She currently co-chairs the Alpha Iota Sigma international honors society for interdisciplinary studies and has presented and written on topics including teaching interdisciplinary studies online, working with nontraditional students, and creative thinking in interdisciplinary studies. She teaches several courses about interdisciplinarity, including theories and methods of interdisciplinary studies and integrative studies seminars, as well as Film Studies and Liberal Studies. She has a PhD in English Literature, which she also teaches. She can be contacted at buchbem@miamioh.edu.
