Education and curriculum programs are continuously changing as history is made. Changes are made to the system in order to fit the needs and benefits of students, and in this case for university students. The idea interdisciplinary studies in the United States began after World War I in order to reform the then modern general education (Repko, 68). The changes in education after WWI were due to the influx of previous immigrants and the lack of “cultural unity” and the second was because of situated problems within society such as racism and discrimination (Repko, 69).
The education reform in the 1960s and 1970s was set in motion in 1945 after the Harvard report, General Education in a Free Society, was published. This report explained the need for a new general education system in order to integrate different disciplines into each program of study.
After World War II because of the rise of communism and conflict with the Soviet Union, new components of higher education included a “common core of knowledge, beliefs, and values centered on the ideals of freedom and democracy” (Repko, 69). It was the idea of opposing anything similar to that of communism and Soviet ideology. There were two main themes that focused on the push for different disciplines. The first one was the fact that disciplines produce knowledge and allow you to see different aspects of social differences. The second theme was that disciplines improved critical thinking. In the 60s and 70s disciplines were strengthened by current social issues such as race, politics, war, and radicalism around the world.
Due to the massive changes of society in the United Stated during the 1960s and 1970s, there were multiple fields that were created because of the course of history. Some of the disciplines included women’s studies, African American studies, ethnic and cultural studies, environmental studies, etc. People also began exploring issues like poverty and social medicine (Repko, 71).
Education continuously changes but it is because of national unity and important issues that interdisciplinary studies are able to come into play and make a difference in society.
Sources: Repko, Allen F.; Szostak, Richard (Rick); Buchberger, Michelle Phillips (2013-05-20). Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies SAGE Pu writings
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1964/3/4/general-education-the-forgotten-goals-pat/