When thinking about this class and what it might entail, I thought it would just be a class on “figuring out my life”. Silly, I know, but I truly thought we would just be doing all of the basics like deciding on a major, useful classes, contracts, etc. Not only did we do all of the above and more, but this class was so highly valuable for my planned path, and how interdisciplinary studies is a reflection of what I’ve known I want to do for a long time. My definition of interdisciplinarity was almost non-existent before taking this class. I had a basic knowledge of what Interdisciplinary Studies was only from the perspective of the Plymouth State IDS program and the mezcla of information on the website. I had never really heard this used in school or growing up, but I knew before this class that it meant taking multiple subjects and using them to create a new hybrid-subject. What I didn’t realize was that interdisciplinarity is so much more. It is a way of learning, teaching, and working with other people. IDS is important for critical thinking, solving complex problems, academically and professionally.
In chapter 6 of Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, Repko states, “The purpose of interdisciplinary studies is not to choose one disciplinary concept, assumption, theory, or method over another but to produce a more complete understanding of the problem by integrating the best elements of competing concepts, assumptions, theories, or methods” (Repko, 131). My program really reflects this specific explanation in a way that each discipline included with my program are not extremely different, they are actually pretty similar, but together they work even better. My personalized major of Global Educational Studies combines Spanish, TESOL, and international relations, so, Integration theory (along with the others) is a key theory for my IDS program.
Universities today are always trying to reform education to do new and innovative things – and interdisciplinary studies is just that thing. Interdisciplinarians see the world differently and are able to use different perspectives in order to solve problems and work together in schools and in the workforce. The world is a better place with interdisciplinary studies, even our own university thinks so. Plymouth State University is getting a closer look at interdisciplinary curriculums for majors across the board. Integrating common themes and interdisciplinary approaches will allow for more flexible and unique studies that will shine through the students at PSU. I think that when the clusters are figured out, PSU will be headed in a great direction, and hopefully push more universities to become interdisciplinary.
After taking this class I want to get more involved with IDS, whether it be here in the following years or after graduation, I would love for it to be integrated into my future career. I am so happy that this program is allowing me to follow my passions of teaching, traveling, advising, and working with kids. I have learned so much about myself and what I truly want to do with my education and how it will help me in the future for myself as a person and for my career. Working in the International Education field is the right thing for me, and I’m so glad I have an education plan that I can dedicate to my personal and professional needs.
Repko, Allen F.; Szostak, Richard (Rick); Buchberger, Michelle Phillips (2013-05-20). Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (p. 131). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.