Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

Fourth Edition

Allen F. Repko - University of Texas at Arlington (Retired)
Rick Szostak - University of Alberta, Canada
Michelle Phillips Buchberger - Miami University of Ohio, USA

Other Titles in:
Arts & Humanities (General) | Research Methods (General)

March 2025 | 400 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This book provides instructors and students in entry-level interdisciplinary courses and thematic programs with a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary studies. Authors Allen F. Repko, Rick Szostak, and Michelle Phillips Buchberger introduce students to the cognitive process that interdisciplinarians use to approach complex problems and eventually arrive at more comprehensive understandings of them. Students learn how to think like interdisciplinarians, understand interdisciplinary processes, and assess the quality of their own work. Changes to the Fourth Edition include revised content on epistemology and methods, more on integrative strategies, reordering of some chapters, new assignment ideas, and new examples which include student examples and insights from the latest scholarly works.

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 A Intellectual Autobiography

Appendix B Student Portfolios, Blogging, and Vlogging

Appendix C Service Learning, Internships, and Alternative Projects for Nontraditional Students

Appendix D The Broad Model Rubric: Instructor Version and Sample Student Outline

Appendix E Answer Key

Glossary of Key Terms

References

Sample Materials & Chapters

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