Interdisciplinary Research – INDS 600

Course Description

Students will synthesize scholarly research from both of their areas of study to produce an interdisciplinary research project on an approved topic. Must be taken at the end of the MA Interdisciplinary Studies program or prior to the thesis sequence for the MA Interdisciplinary Research program.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Problem solving and inquiry often require the need to cross disciplinary boundaries found lacking in traditional single-disciplined degree programs. This course is placed into the curriculum to guide the student in the synthesizing of knowledge and understanding of interdisciplinary research through culminating assignments. The student will develop the ability to showcase his or her own academic mastery while preparing oneself professionally.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 400 words, contain at least 1 reference, and integrate biblical principles. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to the threads of at least 2 classmates. Each reply must be at least 250 words, contain at least 1 reference, and integrate biblical principles.

Article Critique Assignments (2)

For both critiques, the student will write a 1,000 word critique in the current format of his or her Area of Study I. Each assignment must include at least 6 reference citations.

Article Critique: Primary Area Of Study: For this assignment, students will select one article related to the primary Area of Study from the Annotated Bibliography Assignment and include a summary and critique.

Article Critique: Secondary Area of Study: For this assignment, students will select one article related to secondary Area of Study from the Annotated Bibliography Assignment and include a summary and critique.

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will create an annotated bibliography that will consist of at least 15 empirical, scholarly sources that have been published within the last 5 years. Each source will need an annotation of at least 150 words.

Research Design and Bibliography Assignment

The research design is a detailed explanation of the topic to be studied, the process by which the student answers a question of scholarly significance, and the principal sources for research. It must include a: 1) statement of the 2 areas of study to be integrated 2) a statement of the research question or questions to be answered through interdisciplinary integration 3) explanation of scholarly significance and 4) a working bibliography of 15 sources no than 5 years old (unless approved by the instructor). The student will ensure bibliographic entries are written in the citation format of the primary Area of Study.

Discipline Integration: Outline Assignment

In 1–2 pages, the student will submit the topic, a thesis statement, and an outline for his or her paper. The outline must include bibliographic citations of principal scholarly research embedded throughout the outline where the sources will be used.

Discipline Integration: Paper Assignment

The student will write a 3,800–4,400 word research-based paper in the current format of his or her primary Area of Study that focuses on the integration of the two declared Areas of Study. The paper must include at least 15 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Cover Letter and Resume Assignment

The student will produce a 1–2 page cover letter and resume following the format covered in the course materials. The resume must include relevant experience and a bulleted description of responsibilities related to each position. Additionally, the student must include biographical and educational background information. The cover letter must address the student’s interdisciplinary integration of both Areas of Study.