This module will provide an introduction and overview to interdisciplinary study, and will emphasize the increasing significance of an interdisciplinary approach to research in today's society.
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching period
A
Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23
Module aims
The aims of the module are:
To provide students with an introduction to interdisciplinary study and the increasing significance of research that crosses disciplinary boundaries in today's society.
To highlight the approaches and practices through which interdisciplinary research can be achieved
To engage students in debates and discussions in relation to grand challenges in social sciences across one of seven pathways/themes (Cities, Environment, and Liveability; Security, Conflict and Justice; Education, Childhood, and Youth; Data, Technology, and Communications; Wellbeing, Health, and Communities; Sustainable Growth, Management, and Economic Productivity; Civil Society, Development, and Democracy)
To provide students will the opportunity to reflect on the role of interdisciplinary practice in the context of their own research
Module learning outcomes
After completing the module a student will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the variety of approaches to interdisciplinary study alongside their theoretical and epistemological foundations
Critically evaluate the practical and methodological aspects of interdisciplinary research
Demonstrate an understanding of subject-specific and interdisciplinary debates to enable them to identify research challenges at the frontier of their field of specialist interest
Apply their understanding of interdisciplinary research to inform the development of their own research projects.
Communicate effectively to colleagues the role of interdisciplinarity in the context of their own research
Module content
This module will be based round a series of workshops the will cover the following:
an introduction to interdisciplinarity, focusing on the intellectual as well as the practical aspects of conducting interdiscplinary research and the challenges
an overview of the key debates on the differences between inter and multi-disciplinary approaches to research and knowledge production
an exploration of the grand challenges in themes across the social sciences
practical and methodological consideration for interdisciplinary research
The workshops will be co-ordinated by the programme leader in collaboration with the ESRC DTP theme leads.
Students will work individually, and in groups, within and across pathways/themes throughout the workshops.
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Reflective Essay (2000 words)
N/A
100
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative work is embedded within the module through the workshops.
The group presentations will focus around the 7 pathways/themes that are central to the ESRC DTP and students will be allocated accordingly by the module leader.
The essay is designed to encourage students to reflect on the role of interdisciplinary research within their own area of interest and to concisely outline how this could be achieved and the challenges that may be faced.
A 500 word formative essay plan is also included to support the students with the reflective essay.
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Reflective Essay (2000 words)
N/A
100
Module feedback
All feedback on summative work will be timely and will provided in accordance with University policy.
Formative feedback will be provided by the module leader at the start of the summer term on the essay plan
Indicative reading
Becher, T. (1989). Academic tribes and territories: Intellectual enquiry and the culture of disciplines. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
Frodeman, R., Klein, J. T., & Pacheco, R. C. D. S. (Eds.). (2017). The Oxford handbook of interdisciplinarity. Oxford University Press.
Pring, R. (2004). Philosophy of educational research. (2nd Ed.) London: Continuum.
Repko, A. F., Szostak, R., & Buchberger, M. P. (2016). Introduction to interdisciplinary studies. Sage Publications.