#2 The Interdependence of Disciplinarity and Interdisciplinarity

Abstract

The ubiquitous appearance of the term “interdisciplinary” (1) in current academic and educational writing suggests that it is becoming a dominant form of scholarly work. Recognizing that interdisciplinary work demands a greater command of knowledge and methodologies than individual scholars may possess, universities contend that the organization of learning, and of work, depends on and advances collaboration. These statements reveal the particular discourse — indeed, ideology — of interdisciplinarity, which asserts its transformative power and vital importance. They also suggest implicit tensions between applied research and fundamental problems of knowledge, as well as conflicts between existing disciplines and emerging ones. It is also true that universities deal inadequately with problems of organization and career tracks. Interdisciplinarity can also be a cover for downsizing faculty numbers and programs. Interdisciplinarity has a history of uses and abuses, reflected in today’s self-promotional “grand challenges.”