The Office of the Provost is committed to nurturing impactful, faculty-initiated research and teaching that integrates disciplines and promotes synergies among faculty by providing seed funding for research projects and team-taught course development and implementation, cultivating opportunities for faculty collaboration, and curating resources and workshops on conceptual and procedural interdisciplinarity.
Questions? Contact Dr. Kate E. Temoney, Department of Religion Chairperson and Special Advisor to the Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives.
What is Interdisciplinarity?
*Summation of “Defining ‘Interdisciplinary,’” an Association for Interdisciplinary Studies Resource
A definition of interdisciplinarity is unsettled, and can be pursued by a single scholar or among many, but there is an emerging consensus that it involves several key components:
- Interdisciplinarians focus on particular problems or questions that are too complex to be answered satisfactorily by any one discipline.
- Interdisciplinarians draw upon the insights of specialized research, fostered by communities of scholars who share a set of guiding questions and concepts and utilize multiple theories, and methods.·
- Interdisciplinarians integrate the best elements of disciplinary insights in order to generate a more comprehensive (and often more nuanced) appreciation of the issue at hand. This may come in the form of a new understanding, new product, or new meaning–often with a stress on ‘integration’ as the defining element.
Interdisciplinary Initiatives: Events
October 16-18, 2024: Consultant Talk and Workshops | Dr. Pauline Gagnon
CAMPUS-WIDE TALK: Interdisciplinary Work: History, Theory and Best Practices
Wed., October 16, 2024, 1:30pm – 2:30pm, School of Communications Presentation Hall
This talk will open with the premise that interdisciplinary work is not anti-disciplinary. Dr. Gagnon will explore a variety of historical threads that led to the more formalized Interdisciplinary curricula being offered today. Ranging from inter-disciplines” to the more complex “transdisciplinary” discourse, there are many pathways in the journey to integration. Both the demands of the real world as well as shifting sands in academic landscapes, lend themselves to increasing interdisciplinary work for both students as well as faculty. This presentation will allow for a Q&A session at the end.
WORKSHOPS
Research Workshop: Roads to Integration
Wed., October 16, 2024, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, University Hall ADP Center, 1145
This workshop focuses on how researchers can identify an interdisciplinary versus disciplinary problem. Once the commitment to the interdisciplinary approach is made, what are the best practices in group or individual work? What funding sources may be available? In this session, Dr. Gagnon will introduce key works from interdisciplinary research scholars that assist with launching best practices for integrative research work. Beginning with the ‘steps’ approach from Repko and Szostak, these and other modes will be introduced and discussed in the context of ‘wicked problems.”
Light fare and refreshments will be provided. If you have a scheduling conflict or would just like to ask a question, please do not register – you may attend a Q&A among registered workshop participants and with the consultant as a drop-in from 4:45pm – 5:00pm.
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Teaching Workshop: How to grow Interdisciplinarians
Thurs., October 17, 2024, 9:00 am – 11:00 am, University Hall ADP Center, 1121
This workshop will focus on ways to supply students with ample tools in approaching problem-solving in interdisciplinary rather than disciplinary ways. Various levels of courses will be examined via sample syllabi. Foundational work will be introduced in approaches from Keestra and Augsburg as well as other interdisciplinary teaching scholars. The importance of explicit integration goals as well as specific learning outcomes and interdisciplinary team-teaching best practices will also be discussed.
Light fare and refreshments will be provided. If you have a scheduling conflict or would just like to ask a question, please do not register – you may attend a Q&A among registered workshop participants and with the consultant as a drop-in from 10:45 am -11:00 am.
Teaching and Research Workshop: Defining the work of Interdisciplinarians
Thurs., October 17, 2024, 2:15 pm – 3:45 pm, Bloomfield College Library, Shelby Art Room
This workshop will identify key components in identifying the work of being interdisciplinary, the best ways to tie these to course learning outcomes, and interdisciplinary team-teaching tips. Best practices of identifying the IDS problem, assessing contributing disciplines and integrating insights will be introduced. How the elements of defining integrative work connects to good IDS research habits and funding sources will also be discussed.
Light fare and refreshments will be provided. If you have a scheduling conflict or would just like to ask a question, please do not register – you may attend a Q&A among registered workshop participants and with the consultant as a drop-in from 3:35 pm – 4:00pm.
These events are part of the Office of the Provost Interdisciplinary Initiatives plan to commit to nurturing impactful, faculty-initiated research and teaching that integrates disciplines and promotes synergies among faculty by providing seed funding for research projects and team-taught course development and implementation, cultivating opportunities for faculty collaboration, and curating resources and workshops on conceptual and procedural interdisciplinarity.
Questions? Contact Dr. Kate E. Temoney, Department of Religion Chairperson and Special Advisor to the Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives.
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