Education for the C21st
An interdisciplinary approach
A Presentation for the Franklin University Teaching
and Learning Conference
June 2014
Goals

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Define Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST)
Introduce the IDST research methodology
Discuss the traits and characteristics
developed by interdisciplinarians
Identify the appeal of IDST graduates to
employers
Describe the IDST program at Franklin
University
Explain why IDST matters in C21st
Source: Picture Source: Wikimedia Commons
Interdisciplinary Studies is a process of answering a question, solving a
problem, or addressing a topic that is too broad or complex to be dealt with
adequately by a single discipline [… it ] draws on disciplinary perspectives and
integrates their insights to produce a more comprehensive understanding or
cognitive advancement (Repko, 2008, p.12)
Repko’s Interdisciplinary Research Process
A. Drawing on disciplinary insights
1. Define the problem or state the research question
2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach
3. Identify relevant disciplines
4. Conduct the literature search
5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline
6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory
B. Integrating disciplinary insights
7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their
sources
8. Create common ground between concepts and theories
9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding
10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding
Source: Repko (2008, p. 142)
Step 1 Define Problem or State Research Question
Step 2 Justify Using an Interdisciplinary Approach
Is the problem sufficiently complex and open to
further investigation?
Or is the answer already known, readily ‘googled’ for
an answer that is generally agreed to be correct?
1.
Does the problem spill into multiple (or at least
two) disciplinary domains in order to sufficiently
address the problem?
Or does it fall clearly into one disciplinary domain
that is adequate and best suited to address the
problem comprehensively?
2.
Step 3 Identify Relevant Disciplines
Discipline
Step 4
Conduct Literature Search
Step 5 Develop Adequacy in each Relevant
Discipline
Step 6 Analyze Problem and Evaluate each
Insight or Theory
Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or
Theory
Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or
Theory
Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or
Theory
Where are we?
A. Drawing on disciplinary insights
1. Define the problem or state the research question
2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach
3. Identify relevant disciplines
4. Conduct the literature search
5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline
6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory
B. Integrating disciplinary insights
7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their
sources
8. Create common ground between concepts and theories
9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding
10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding
Integrating Disciplinary Insights
Integrating Disciplinary Insights
Integrating Disciplinary Insights
Source: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/more-shopping-storing/ten-organic-foods-worth-money-00000000011780/page7.html
Integrating Disciplinary Insights
Where are we?
A. Drawing on disciplinary insights
1. Define the problem or state the research question
2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach
3. Identify relevant disciplines
4. Conduct the literature search
5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline
6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory
B. Integrating disciplinary insights
7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their
sources
8. Create common ground between concepts and theories
9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding
10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding
Step 7 Identify Conflicts between Insights or
Theories and their Sources
Identify Conflicts between Insights or Theories and
their Sources
Step 8 Create Common Ground between
Concepts and Theories
Create Common Ground between Concepts and
Theories
Step 9 Construct a more Comprehensive
Understanding
Construct a more Comprehensive Understanding
Step 10: Reflect on, Test, and
Communicate the Understanding
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Goals






Define Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST)
Introduce the IDST research methodology
Discuss the traits and characteristics
developed by interdisciplinarians
Identify the appeal of IDST graduates to
employers
Describe the IDST program at Franklin
University
Explain why IDST matters in C21st
Chapter 3: The IDS “Cognitive Toolkit”

What is the IDS ‘Cognitive Toolkit’?
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Intellectual Capacities (interdisciplinary
perspective taking, critical thinking, intellectual
dexterity, integration)
Values (empathy,ethical consciousness, humility,
appreciation of diversity, tolerance of ambiguity,
civic engagement)
Traits and Skills (Traits: entrepreneurship, love of
learning, self-reflection, and Skills: communicative
competence, abstract thinking, creative thinking,
metacognition)
Relevance to Employers
Communications Skills
(Verbal, Written, Listening)
Analytical/Research Skills
(non-laboratory)
Computer/Technical Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership/Management Skills
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
Planning/Organizing
Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity
Teamwork
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https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm
January 28, 2014
Relevance to Employers – ID capacities
Communications Skills
(Verbal, Written, Listening)
Analytical/Research Skills
(non-laboratory)
•
•
•
•
Computer/Technical Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership/Management Skills
•
•
•
•
•
•
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
Planning/Organizing
Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity
Teamwork


https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm
January 28, 2014
•
•
•
•
•
Intellectual Capacities
interdisciplinary perspective taking
critical thinking
intellectual dexterity
integration
Values
empathy
ethical consciousness
humility
appreciation of diversity
tolerance of ambiguity
civic engagement
Traits and Skills
entrepreneurship
love of learning
self-reflection
communicative competence
abstract thinking, creative thinking, and
metacognition
Relevance to Employers
Communications Skills
(Verbal, Written, Listening)
Analytical/Research Skills
(non-laboratory)
Computer/Technical Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership/Management Skills
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
Planning/Organizing
Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity
Teamwork


https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm
January 28, 2014
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
communicative competence
interdisciplinary perspective taking
critical thinking
intellectual dexterity
Integration
tolerance of ambiguity
love of learning
empathy
ethical consciousness
humility
appreciation of diversity
civic engagement
entrepreneurship
self-reflection
abstract thinking, creative thinking, and
metacognition
Relevance to Employers
Communications Skills
(Verbal, Written, Listening)
Analytical/Research Skills
(non-laboratory)
Computer/Technical Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership/Management Skills
Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
Planning/Organizing
Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity
Teamwork


https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm
January 28, 2014
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
communicative competence
interdisciplinary perspective taking
critical thinking
intellectual dexterity
Integration
tolerance of ambiguity
love of learning
empathy
ethical consciousness
humility
appreciation of diversity
civic engagement
entrepreneurship
self-reflection
abstract thinking, creative thinking, and
metacognition
IDST Program at Franklin University
IDST in the Real World
Why IDST matters
Six “drivers” of the field’s continued advance
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1. The complexity of nature, society, & ourselves
2. The complexity of the globalized workplace
3. The needs for systems thinking and contextual
thinking
4. The changing nature of university research
5. The public world and its pressing needs
6. A knowledge society needs both disciplinarity
and interdisciplinarity
Questions