Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies: Definition, Benefits, and Christian Worldview Integration

666 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Interdisciplinary studies essay

Between 2009 and 2014 the number of Interdisciplinary Studies degrees conferred to undergraduate students increased by 37 percent (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016). However, despite this growth in degrees conferred, many individuals do not know what a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies entails. When some people think of a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, they think it means having a degree with more than one area of study, similar to having two minors instead of one major. However, a degree in Interdisciplinary studies is much more than having a degree with multiple areas of study. The intention of this paper is to define Interdisciplinary Studies, explain how a degree in Interdisciplinary studies can bring two unique areas of study into a cognitive area of study using a metaphor and show the benefits of obtaining a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Further the application of a Christian worldview will be explored when integrated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. As stated in Colossians 3:23, “whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord…” (New Revised Standard Version). According to Frank (1988), the term interdisciplinary studies first was used …show more content…

Most often a new understanding of a prior areas of study is discovered or innovative approaches are developed. For example, when an individual pursues a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with areas of study in Criminal Justice and Psychology new insights can be discovered in both applications. While these two areas of study vary greatly, when Criminal Justice procedure is combined with Psychological theory a greater understanding of human behavior can be observed, criminal procedure can be adjusted to reduce recidivism rates and crime. In a way these two areas of study can be thought of as the human body and the

Show More
Related

  • Colleges Are Moving Away From Liberal Arts

    666 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine a cardiovascular surgeon about to crack the sternum of a dying patient; tension is high while the clock of life ticks desperately slower and softer for the poor soul on the cold steel table that saw death the hour before. Is it logical that at that moment the purveyor of life is contemplating whether his freshmen philosophy class back at SMU has thoroughly prepared him for what he is about to do? Not likely. In higher learning institutions, liberal art classes like philosophy are not meant to be directly applied to one’s life or career; however, they are structured and devised to be a strong base that the individual can expand upon through scientific learning and experience. This is precisely the reason colleges and universities require and place much emphasis on these classes; nevertheless, there has been a shift away from the liberal arts towards the direction of highly specialized areas of science and business because of their growing integration in everyday life. Although people need a limited number of liberal arts classes to attain a basic understanding of ourselves and our evolution, state universities are aptly moving towards technical education, because, in this fast paced world, many people don’t have the time or money to spend studying the humanities alone.

    Read More

  • The Historical, Philosophical, and Empirical Foundations of Psychology

    3643 Words  | 8 Pages

    The study of psychology began as a theoretical subject a branch of ancient philosophy, and later as a part of biological sciences and physiology. However, over the years, it has grown into a rigorous science and a separate discipline, with its own sets of guidance and experimental techniques. This paper aims to study the various stages that the science of psychology passed through to reach its contemporary status, and their effects on its development. It begins with an overview of the historical and philosophical basis of psychology, discusses the development of the various schools of thought, and highlights their effects on contemporary personal and professional decision-making.

    Read More

  • Ted Bundy: The Mind of a Killer

    2059 Words  | 5 Pages

    ... middle of paper ... ... Understanding psychological theories helps criminologists to design appropriate correctional strategies to mitigate crime. Works Cited Eysenck, H.J., & Gudjonsson, G.H. d. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a The causes and cures of criminality.

    Read More

  • A Critical Analysis Of 'Majoring In Fear' By Mark Shiffman

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    He recognizes that students forge these degrees into an armor of achievement in hopes that it will cushion them from the harsh uncertainty of the future. Shiffman believes that the drop in interest in the humanities results in the inability of students to have clear bearings amid life’s uncertainties. He believes that only by studying the humanities will students be able to introspect and recognize that endless achievement may not add up to a meaningful life (Shiffman 5). However, Shiffman fails to realize that this form of reflection need not be done solely by those majoring in the humanities. It can be done by all who try, their fields of study are no limitation.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Malcom's 'Dangerous Minds'

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    This article gives some examples of crimes and how they were solved using a psychology technique along with how criminal profiling is used to solve crimes and how the profilers know how to slim down the suspects. In the first case, there was a man that planted bombs in multiple places each time writing a note in block letters- signing it F.P. The first bomb was found in 1940, in 1954 he struck four times, and in 1955 five times. In

    Read More

  • Juvenile Homicide Can Be Prevented

    2172 Words  | 5 Pages

    Travis C. Platt, T. W. (2011). Key Ideas in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE publications.

    Read More

  • Performance Evaluation Reflection Paper

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thomas Grady Bunch (2009) ePortfolio... Interdisciplinary Studies: Work and Professional Study Understandings [online] available from [24 March 2014]

    Read More

  • The Rational Choice and Biological Trait Theories

    1763 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ifferent crime patterns and thought processes of criminals. The reasons can only come from these theories and will help the justice systems become more prepared to react towards different crimes. However, with adding some enhancements, projects and experiments these two theories have the potential to change the criminology realm forever.

    Read More

  • Crime Theory Essay

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world will always be full of crime, thus it is necessary for scientist to grow along with the gruesome and increasing amount of violations. Due to this it sparked scientist to develop crime theories in which emerged to explain why crime is caused by individuals. Some of the few theories that have advanced over the past century and provided many answers to why crimes are committed are biological theories, psychological theories and learning theories. These theories provide an insight to its first use and change in order to provide answers.

    Read More

  • Psychology In Prisons

    467 Words  | 1 Pages

    The researchers also considered Hans Toch’s use of the scientist-practitioner and his influence on its popularity. They also considered Tom Tyler’s work on people’s views and obedience to authorities when they are viewed as legitimate. His work showed that people are more willing to follow authority and the law when they are perceived as just and individuals are given a voice. The last additional source the researchers considered was the RNR model by Don Andrews and Jim Bonta in their work The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Their work created a strategy that used empiricism to find the most important risk factors for offending and evidence based principles to alter the risk factors that could be changed. The researchers concluded that because of the influence of psychology in prisons has brought many benefits such as a lower suicide rates, mortality rates, and homicides. The researchers also concluded that it is necessary to engage prison staff at different levels of leadership. They found that it was important to share scientific knowledge with prison guards and workers, and explain why that knowledge was needed so that the benefits of prison psychology can permeate all of the prison system. The researchers predicted that prison conditions will continue to improve and prevent suicide, disorder, and recidivism and improve safety. The researchers hoped that their conclusions would lead to an increased investment by the members of the APA into prison research, and a greater implementation of psychology throughout the prison

    Read More

  • Forensic Psychology Literature Review

    1703 Words  | 4 Pages

    Quinsey, V. (2009). Are we there yet? stasis and progress in forensic psychology. Canadian Psychology, 50(1), 15-15-21.

    Read More

  • Humanities vs. Sciences

    1953 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...Light and Cox (2001) outline that for academics who are preparing students for a place in the community, there are significant learning implications, such as the teaching of vocational skills. There is a defined common aim in the domains of the sciences and humanities and some shared discipline strengths – the domain specific goals feed the process to achieve the overall attributes common to all disciplines. Accordingly, the opportunities for inter-faculty liaison and sharing of modules of work and indeed qualifications in some circumstances can be realised by educators working cooperatively. Further to this, there are also opportunities for the humanities and sciences to interact with one another in terms of how such attributes are taught and sustained – but this demands knowledge and skills relating to instructional psychology, particularly transfer of learning.

    Read More

  • Reflection Paper On Criminology

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    In contrast to crime science’s concentration on finding the right answers to cease crimes against humanity, criminology emphasizes on the significance of investigating both crimes and criminals independently. If criminology is perceived to interpret crimes, then, criminal science is designated to fix

    Read More

  • Social Science Research

    880 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social science is a field that encompasses a large number of disciplines, including criminal justice. Research can be performed using a variety of methodological approaches “including: surveys and questionnaires, interviews, randomized clinical trials, direct observation, physiological manipulations and recording, descriptive methods, laboratory and field experiments, standardized tests, economic analyses, statistical modeling, ethnography, and evaluation” (Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSSR) Definition, 2010). In addition, social science research is theory driven and focuses on social components. Moreover, the focus extends to behavioral elements that may be in a social and biological context (Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSSR) Definition, 2010). Overall, there is an emphasis on aspects that are social, cultural or behavioral. Social science and science are two different fields of study. In some ways comparisons may be drawn but the subject matter that is being studied is quite different.

    Read More

  • Mission and Vision Statement

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    Abelman, R., & Dalessandro, A. (2009). Institutional Vision in Christian Higher Education: A Comparison of ACCU, ELCA, and CCCU Institutions. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 18(1), 84-119. Retrieved October 6, 2011 from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=37208318&site=ehost-live&scope=site

    Read More

More about Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies: Definition, Benefits, and Christian Worldview Integration

Open Document