Perspectives in Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies

This remarkably coherent and comprehensive collection of essays sets out and applies a framework that brings together seemingly disparate educational innovations. --Bill Newell, executive director, Association for Interdisciplinary Studies Educational institutions do not yet emphasize integrative thinking as they should. This book gathers an impressive cast of scholars of integration that explores its philosophical and cognitive underpinnings. They then provide a great deal of advice on how we can encourage integrative thinking within our curricula and pedagogy -- and assess the value of our innovations. Instructors and administrators interested in integrative learning should read this book. --Rick Szostak, past president, Association for Interdisciplinary Studies

The essays and primary research studies presented in Perspectives in Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies extend the field of integrative studies further by drawing a clear distinction between integrative and interdisciplinary studies, in which integrative studies provides for a synthesis of study and life, an application of interdisciplinarity to complex problems. This volume provides a common body of integrative knowledge, theory, methods, and program development and assessment, and reveals how scholars have applied the principles of integrative studies in their courses, degree programs, and research. As a primary or supplemental text, this volume is designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a resource of contemporary integrative studies theories and practices for scholars and teachers. Students interested in interdisciplinary programs will find this text instrumental for synthesizing information across disciplines to solve real-world complex problems. University and college administrators responsible for faculty development, academic assessment, degree program development, and the promotion of an integrative campus culture will also find this a useful resource.