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Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
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Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies



May 2013 | 368 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This comprehensive new introduction to interdisciplinary studies draws on recent advances in the field's burgeoning literature on learning and assessment.áIt is the firstábook 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.áIts approach isásuccinct, conceptual, and practical.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I. Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies
 
Chapter 1. Interdisciplinary Studies in the Real World
 
Chapter 2. Interdisciplinary Studies Defined
 
Chapter 3. The Interdisciplinary Studies "Cognitive Toolkit"
 
Chapter 4. The Rise of the Modern Disciplines and Interdisciplinarity
 
Chapter 5. Academic Disciplines
 
Chapter 6. The "DNA" of Interdisciplinary Studies
 
Part II. Thinking Critically About Interdisciplinary Studies
 
Chapter 7. Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Perspectives
 
Chapter 8. Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Insights
 
Chapter 9. Thinking Critically About Integration and Its Results
 
Part III. Interdisciplinary Research and Writing
 
Chapter 10. An Interdisciplinary Research "Road Map"
 
Chapter 11. Identifying Relevant Disciplines and Gathering Information About the Problem
 
Chapter 12. Analyzing Insights and Reflecting on Process
 
Appendix A. Intellectual Autobiography
 
Appendix B. Student Portfolios
 
Appendix C. Service Learning
 
Appendix D. The Broad Model Rubric: Instructor Version
 
Appendix E. Answer Key
 
Glossary of Key Terms
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index

This text is comprehensive in approach, yet broken into three major parts that are easy for students to follow and to use to build their own work (I especially like the “learning outcomes” for each chapter). Its strength is that it situates interdisciplinary studies from the perspective of an undergraduate.

Angela Hunter
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

I would recommend this text to others. I find the book has more detail than the text I currently use and seems more appropriate as an introductory text given the level of students I normally teach in this course. It is a comprehensive and needed study of the literature of the field.

Pauline D. Gagnon
University of West Georgia

I am very likely to recommend this book. Our department continues to look for an introductory text that is friendly to undergraduate students, and this might fit the bill. The strengths of the book like in the emphasis on interdisciplinarity as an activity/process, the explanation of historical context, and the combination of theory and practice.

Andrew T. Arroyo
Norfolk State University

This book is comprehensive. The authors provide thoughtful support for the main ideas and ‘unpack’ technical and complex ideas. The use of examples and end of chapter exercises is consistent with learning theory. The integration of cognitive theory into the early chapters is a strength. Similarly, pointing out areas of interdisciplinary work that are contested strengthens the legitimacy of this work.

Jeannie Brown Leonard
George Mason University

clear, short, specific to our program, is one of very few in Interdisciplinary studies.

Dr Stephanie Amedeo-Marquez
BAIS, Northern New Mexico College
February 29, 2016

A good companion text for my class; accordingly, I have placed this title on my "Recommended" reading list.

Mr DOUGLAS ANDERSON
Humanities Fine Arts Dept, Front Range Community College
February 17, 2015

Waiting approval for course to begin

Dr Sandra Handwerk
public administration, Albany State University
January 7, 2015

A useful and easy to read text that really does provide an introduction to interdisciplinary research.

Miss Alyson Lewis
Newport School of Education, University of South Wales (Newport)
January 6, 2015

This book fits the needs of the course.

Ms Phyllis Brooks Collins
General Studies Prog, Delaware State University
August 27, 2013

Book is designed an written to the level of my students. I like the fact that it addresses issues demonstrating the scope of interdisciplinary studies plus the research component.

Dr Pamela Wiegardt
University College, Virginia Commonwealth University
August 8, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 7


Allen F. Repko

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 program’s 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). More About Author

Richard Szostak

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... More About Author

Michelle Phillips Buchberger

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... More About Author

Also available as a South Asia Edition.

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ISBN: 9781452256603
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