Page 7 - Inroads Dec 1, 2016

December 1, 2016 Features Page 7

Pathways to Interdisciplinarity

Appreciating Diversity and Civic Engagement

As the fall 2016 semester comes to a close, I want to discuss with you two fi-
nal interdisciplinary values: appreciation of diversity and civic engagement. In IDS
4091 our IDS seniors spent the semester researching disciplinary insights in order
to shed light on a complex problem. Many of the students discussed their future
endeavors as educators and their reasons for wanting to pursue a career in elemen-
tary or secondary education. All of the students wrote about diversity either as their
main research question or as a subtext that was relevant to an interdisciplinary is-
sue. IDS students are eager to begin working with their future colleagues in educa-
tion and in other careers as well. They know that as interdisciplinarians they will
be creating common ground among diverse people who “adhere to different faith
traditions, belong to different cultures, or have different ethnic or racial roots…”
Dr. Elaine Brooks (Repko, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, 54). The quotation comes from
Academic Director our IDS 3001 textbook. The ideas from IDS 3001 are the foundation for IDS 4091,

and I am so proud of our students in both courses who have embraced diversity as a valuable interdisciplinary
attribute. IDS students want to give back to their communities through civic engagement, “which flows from a
sense of empathy, ethical consciousness, and a heightened sense of responsibility for a community” (Repko, 55).
In IDS 4091 students write about complex issues such as homelessness among veterans, improving the class-
room experience for children with autism, exploring the dynamics of political loyalty and many more topics
that demonstrate our students’ passion for community and service. When our IDS seniors meet the challenges
that await them as they pursue their careers, they will come to the table with ideas that respect the views of oth-
ers and they will contribute to finding the common ground necessary for solving problems. In this December
newsletter, I wish for all the IDS students and especially for our graduating seniors a peaceful pathway to their
dreams as they forge new possibilities for civic engagement in a diverse environment.

In Their Own Words

“My capstone project made me Miles of smiles from IDS 4091 seniors looking forward to graduation.
realize that disciplines do intertwine and
you can pull in knowledge from different

disciplines to help you.”
Linda Lewis

(Behavioral Studies-
Psychology and Business)

“My capstone made me realize you
need more than one discipline to be suc-
cessful. For example, education needs

psychology to be effective.”
Alice Heine

(Child & Family Development-
Psychology and Education)