Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

Preface About the Authors Part I: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies Chapter 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 A Threaded Example: Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 2: The Rise of the Modern Disciplines and Interdisciplinarity Why the Past Matters The Rise of the Modern Disciplines The Rise of Interdisciplinarity Interdisciplinarity's Criticism of the Disciplines Revisiting the Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 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 Basic Income Revisited Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 4: 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 Typical Methods Disciplinary Perspective and Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 5: The Intellectual Essence of Interdisciplinary Studies Assumptions of Interdisciplinary Studies Theories Supportive of Interdisciplinary Studies Epistemology of Interdisciplinary Studies How Interdisciplinary Studies "Sees" Reflections on Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Part II: Thinking Critically About Interdisciplinary Studies Chapter 6: The Interdisciplinary Studies "Cognitive Toolkit" How She Did It Intellectual Capacities Values Traits Skills Ethical Analysis Ways to Apply Your Interdisciplinary "Toolkit" Basic Income A Recommended Assignment Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 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 Basic Income Critical Thinking Scenario Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 8: Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Insights Critical Thinking Attitudes Categories of Statements Critically Analyzing Disciplinary Insights Critical Thinking About Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Chapter 9: Thinking Critically About Integration and Its Results Three Alternative Approaches to Interdisciplinary Integration The Broad Model Approach to Integration The Result of Integration Reflecting on What Was Achieved Integration and Basic Income Critical Thinking Scenario Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises Part III: Interdisciplinary Research and Writing Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Investigating Basic Income Critical Thinking Questions Critical Thinking Scenario Chapter 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 Basic Income Revisited Conclusion Critical Thinking Questions Appendix Glossary of Key Terms References