12 Critical Interdisciplinarity
Rhonda D. Davis
Critical interdisciplinarity refers to the approach of critically examining and challenging the boundaries, assumptions, and methods of different disciplines. It involves questioning the traditional ways in which knowledge has been organized and compartmentalized into separate academic disciplines.
Traditionally, academic disciplines have operated within their own distinct boundaries, with their own theories, methodologies, and ways of defining and addressing problems. However, many real-world problems and issues are complex and multifaceted, and cannot be adequately understood or addressed from the perspective of a single discipline.
Critical interdisciplinarity recognizes that disciplines are not isolated silos of knowledge but are interconnected and influenced by various social, cultural, and historical factors. It encourages students to explore the limitations and biases inherent in disciplinary perspectives and to seek insights from multiple disciplines to gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of complex issues.
By adopting a critical interdisciplinary approach, we can learn to:
- Question the assumptions and boundaries of traditional disciplines: By doing so we can examine how disciplines have been defined, what knowledge is included or excluded, and how power structures and ideologies have shaped the construction of disciplinary knowledge.
- Integrate diverse perspectives: We can learn to synthesize knowledge from multiple disciplines, combining theories, methods, and insights to address complex problems in innovative ways.
- Engage with diverse forms of knowledge: Critical interdisciplinarity values not only academic knowledge but also other forms of knowledge, such as indigenous, experiential, or community-based knowledge, which can offer valuable insights and perspectives.
- Foster critical thinking and reflexivity: We are encouraged to critically reflect on our own disciplinary biases, assumptions, and ways of thinking, and to consider alternative viewpoints and approaches.
Overall, critical interdisciplinarity is about challenging traditional boundaries, embracing diverse perspectives, and fostering a more holistic and inclusive approach to knowledge production and problem-solving. It equips us with the skills and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world and to address pressing societal challenges in creative and collaborative ways.