Course Description

IDS300W is a writing-intensive course that critically examines issues related to interdisciplinary perspectives, including the study of differences and similarities among academic disciplines.  This includes the application of an interdisciplinary approach to a specific topic of study.

Course Goals and Objectives

• Examine the interdisciplinary nature of work and education
• Examine and explore the relationship between critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning
• Examine the history and application of interdisciplinary study
• Develop the ability to effectively use critical thinking skills in dealing with issues
• Develop the ability to use an interdisciplinary approach to study problems
• Improve writing skills

Course Materials

Workshop 1

The first workshop will asked me to create a visual depiction of the 10-step interdisciplinary research process as it will apply to your forthcoming research. The purpose of this assignment is to help understand the process better by applying visual metaphors and to help you plan for the term paper. In other words, how would someone in your field (an artist, designer, programmer) understand and explain the 10-step process? You may create a flow chart or diagram, or you can do something more abstract. You may or may not use colors, but you must have something other than words. If you feel creative “stuck,” then I encourage you to imagine the process as a recipe and depict it that way.

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Workshop 2

The second workshop will require me to collect & examine scholarly sources for your term paper. Re-create Table 5.1 on page 147 of the Repko and Szostak text. You may use any program or tool you prefer to create the table or draw it by hand, but it should be populated using  5 research sources you will collect this week in preparation for your term paper.

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Workshop 3

Organize a list of author insights for each of your paper’s sources by re-creating the table on page 247 of the Repko and Szostak text. The left column should list the discipline while the right column should list direct quotes and paraphrases from each source including citations in APA format.

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Workshop 4

For this workshop, you will turn your term paper’s topic into a visual argument. The purpose of this workshop is to have you envision your argument in a new way, helping you prepare to write your central thesis. If you can pin down the crux of your argument in a singular image, then you can more accurately describe your paper’s thesis or main argument. By using a different medium, we are considering new audiences for your argument and conveying it in a more multidisciplinary fashion.

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Final Term Paper

To sharpen your research and writing skills using multi and interdisciplinary theories
and concepts. This paper will require you to perform extensive research into a query related to your major. The topic is entirely up to you but should represent a conversation in your field and must incorporate data from 3 diverse disciplines. Your objective is to further develop your skills in writing across disciplines by applying Repko and Szostak’s 10-step interdisciplinary research method to a discussion or argument on a real-world issue. Imagine this paper as your participation in important conversations regarding issues in your field.

This paper was an interesting one. We were left to our own devices and were allowed to have free reign with this assignment. I enjoyed writing it and it helped my develop my interdisciplinary skills further. The topic I chose to write about was Legacy Systems along with the challenges and benefits of the use of these systems. I used computer science, business management, and sociology as interdisciplines and pulled insights from each for this interdisciplinary research endeavor.

The-Challenges-and-Benefits-of-Replacing-Legacy-Systems_final