This discussion paper examines the trend toward increased interdisciplinarity in the academy. Part 1 provides an overview of current trends, with emphasis on three areas: disciplinary change, interdisciplinary fields, and general education. It addresses the question of why interdisiciplinarity is taking hold in the academy today. Part 2 presents…

Cognitive science has recently emerged as a new interdisciplinary field incorporating parts of psychology, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and linguistics. Its goal is to bring the theoretical and methodological resources of the contributing disciplines to bear on an integrated investigation of thought, meaning, language, perception,…

Explains the approaches taken by higher education institutions for instruction of environmental content. These include changes in course content, the development of specific environmental courses, and the development of a planned curricula that emphasizes environmental education. (ML)

College interdisciplinary programs that focus on student writing are reviewed, and research and criticisms of these programs are briefly addressed. Features of 12 interdisciplinary programs emphasizing writing at the undergraduate level are summarized. The following are among the conclusions offered: (1) a growing number of higher education…

Designed to assist college personnel in assessing program needs, this report provides an overview of the humanities programs at Triton College. Part I focuses on curricular humanities programs, including discussions of the role and objectives of the School of Arts and Sciences; humanities courses offered in the school; special humanities…

The ILS program called "Learning With Young Children", which stressed the use of interdisciplinary learning and provides students with legitimate academic alternatives, is discussed. Questions from the student daily logs conclude each section. (BP)

From the earliest literary forms, myths, parables, and oral histories, literature has held human values up to the light and given life to the problems of being human. Little else in students' lives provides room for the consideration of values and provides them with a foundation to understand and confront the unavoidable failures and even…

Linguistics, as one of the cognitive sciences, has much to offer the teaching of basic science, i.e., the teaching of how to ask and investigate interesting questions. Linguistics is particularly well-suited for teaching about the process of "doing" science because the methodology appropriate to the study of language from a generative…

An introduction is provided to the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Program at Valencia Community College (VCC), a 2-year general education core curriculum divided into four courses. A description of VCC is followed by an overview of the program, which integrates the arts, philosophy, religion, English, mathematics, social sciences, and physical…

Linguistics is on the verge of becoming an experimental discipline; an undergraduate major tailored to reflect this can attract a wider range of students, relate linguistics subject matter to the real world in a more exciting way, challenge students to address more deeply the problems of philosophy and philosophy of science than in some other…

Linguistics can make major contributions to the undergraduate liberal arts curriculum, as exemplified in the relationship between linguistics and the English curriculum. The major points of contact between English and linguistics are the areas of stylistics and poetics. In the study of English, linguistics can enrich descriptions of texture…

West Chester State College's pilot project to improve writing builds on writing skills established in the freshman English courses and extends these skills through writing practice and instruction in the humanities and other disciplines. Obstacles encountered in developing the program, program design, instructional techniques, and spinoff projects…

This paper argues that separation of mathematics from most other disciplines in the college curriculum reinforces math avoidance among college students, and that this is inappropriate in general education. Ways in which mathematics and mathematical thinking can be integrated into the humanities are discussed, including the role of mathematics in…

Suggests a process for incorporating critical thinking into social science courses. Explains preparatory steps (e.g., learning how to teach thinking and redesigning courses to include discipline-specific and core thinking skills). Recommends ways of reworking lectures, demonstrations, discussions, experiential learning, and assignments to address…

Describes present anthropological curricula both within the department and in other campus settings. Examines the role of anthropology in a proposal for revising General Curricular Requirements at Cleveland State University. Future prospects for the program are discussed. (JS)