Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors PART I: UNDERSTANDING INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES 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 Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 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 Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 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 Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 4. The Interdisciplinary Studies "Cognitive Toolkit" How She Did It Intellectual Capacities Values Traits and Skills Ways to Apply Your Interdisciplinary "Toolkit" Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 5. 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 Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 6. The "DNA" of Interdisciplinary Studies Assumptions of Interdisciplinary Studies Theories Supportive of Interdisciplinary Studies Epistemology of Interdisciplinary Studies How Interdisciplinary Studies "Sees" Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises PART II: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES 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 Critical Thinking Scenario Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 8. Thinking Critically About Disciplinary Insights Critical Thinking Attitudes Categories of Statements Critically Analyzing Disciplinary Insights Mapping Interdisciplinary Connections Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises 9. Thinking Critically About Integration and Its Results Approaches to Interdisciplinary Integration The Broad Model Approach to Integration Strategies for Integration The Result of Integration Reflecting on What Was Achieved Critical Thinking Scenario Critical Thinking Questions Applications and Exercises PART III: INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND WRITING 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 Peer Evaluation Activity 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 Critical Thinking Questions Critical Thinking Scenario Peer Evaluation and Edit Activity 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 Conclusion Critical Thinking Questions Appendixes A. Intellectual Autobiography B. Student Portfolios and Blogging C. Service Learning, Internships, and Alternative Projects for Nontraditional Students D. The Broad Model Rubric: Instructor Version and Sample Student Outline E. Answer Key Glossary of Key Terms References Index