Topic 4: Interdisciplinarity in the Real World

Happy Friday! As we move into our next topic this week, the conversation changes focus onto Interdisciplinary in the real world.

At this stage you may be focusing on Interdisciplinary as it relates to your areas and education. Consider some of the tasks or hobbies you may have outside of school. Do you see any Interdisciplinary traits in the things you do on a regular basis? Things like extracurricular activities, job duties may all have Interdisciplinary characteristics. Do you know anyone who works in an Interdisciplinary profession?

As you move forward in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program it’s a great idea to check in with yourself from time to time on where you want to go after graduation. Personally, after the Cornerstone class it was easy for me to get lost in my areas. I started to have a “check-in” with myself each semester to track where my progress was, where I wanted to go (and this changed a few times in my case) and finally what I would need to do to achieve my after graduation goal. By thinking of your progress in a real world way it may help you focus or alter your studies to be more successful upon completion. A good way to get a little insight into how your interests and skills may best serve you in a career field would be to take a personality/career test like the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. Take the test at http://www.keirsey.com/default.aspx. Were you surprised at the results?

For the assignment this week give an example of how you are integrating your disciplines, or ways you could integrate them (if you’re not). Alternatively, give a few examples opportunities (personal or professional) that can help you increase your interdisciplinary. Your answer should be 1-2 paragraphs in length as well as a reply to one of your classmate’s posting.

Have a great week!

Nikki, Edison, Heather, Kristin, Rachel, Rikesh, Susanne and Victoria

Topic 3

Hey guys! Hope everyone’s week is going well. Now that everyone should have a better understanding on the concept of “interdisciplinary” studies, for this week’s discussion we are going to incorporate that into different ethical situations and how you would react to certain scenarios. 


Assignment:
1. Click on the following link to Virtual Philosopher and complete the module as directed.
http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/vp/vp.html


2. Answer the following questions. Responses should be 1-2 paragraphs.


a. After comparing your answers to the results on Virtual Philosopher on whether you were consistent or inconsistent, do you believe Virtual Philosopher correctly scored your responses? 


b. From the module, what insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning?


c. How does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary? Give examples. 


d. How does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match with the application of it in doing the Virtual Philosopher? 


3. Respond to at least one other post. Compare consistent and inconsistent decision-making in Virtual Philospher. 
We look forward to reading your posts! If you have any questions, we will be more than happy to answer them. 

Victoria, Heather, Susanne, Rachel, Rikesh, Nikki, Edison , and Kristin

The Concept of Integration in Interdisciplinary Studies

Hello to All;

Now that we have gotten the opportunity to get to know a little bit about each other; let’s start with a video that introduces what the concept of “interdisciplinary” studies is about and how the integration of more than one discipline can be used to find solutions to issues.

Assignment:

1. Please watch these 2 short videos discussing the concept of Interdisciplinary and integration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p-IwifaqVE

http://youtu.be/QuwGFIIekyE


2. Answer questions the
following questions: (1-2 paragraphs)

a. What is the definition of integration. Give examples of what would be integration.

b. In what ways does your majors and minor integrate?

c. If not, how can you better integrate your areas/minor?

3. Find a news article that describes a current issue or problem. Explain how an interdisciplinary approach could be used to find a solution to the issue. (1-2 paragraphs)
(Please post the link to the news article so other students may be able to view it)

4. Give a response to at least one other post.

We look forward to reading your posts and answering any questions you may have.
This assignment will be due on the blog by Thursday, February 16th.

Have a great week,

Victoria, Heather, Susanne, Rachel, Rikesh,
Nichele, Edison , and Kristin

Introduction

Hello Cornerstone Students:

We would like to introduce ourselves to you since we will be working together over the next several weeks posting on our blog site. We have eight members in our Capstone group: Victoria Kania, Heather Wilson, Susanne Force, Rachel Findlay, Rikesh Patel, Nikki Swanson, Edison Quizhpi, and Kristin William. Our first posting to our blog will be each one of us introducing ourselves to you. Each week a different Cornerstone student will be posting questions to our blog and you will be responding. Our first blog consists of the following questions to get to know you a little better. Please answer in complete sentences and post to the blog. The deadline for your responses will be Thursday, February 9^th by midnight.

 Who are you? A brief bio about yourself. Majors/minor you are studying.

 What do you like to do for fun? What are your hobbies

 Name one unusual fact about yourself.

 What don’t you understand about your major?

 How do you explain IDS to others?

 What do you feel are the advantages/disadvantages of an interdisciplinary education ?

 Why did you choose the IDS program and what are your majors/minor?

We have a few suggestions that will hopefully help this to be a great experience for all.

Ø Please do not procrastinate and answer the blogs as quickly as possible. This will give the greatest opportunity for others to be able to respond to your blog. Each assignment has specific deadlines.

Ø Try to check our blog as often as possible, once a day would be a great idea.

Ø Please be patient and accepting of others culture’s, ideals, and opinions. We have a great opportunity here to learn so very much from each other.

Ø We will be happy to answer any questions that may arise from the blog assignments.

Ø Respect each other's ideas, feelings and experiences and be courteous when considering your peers' views and when responding.

We look forward to sharing ideas, career goals, information, and building an understanding of what the IDS program will be for you over the next couple of years.

Good luck in all of your endeavors!

Victoria, Heather, Susanne, Rachel, Rikesh, Nikki, Edison, and Kristin