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Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines

Thinking of doing an interdisciplinary degree? Learn how to study and work in an interdisciplinary environment with this online course from the University of Leeds.

Duration

2 weeks

Weekly study

4 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Harness the benefits of interdisciplinary study and work

Real life problems are too complex to be solved by a single field of study. That’s why learning to work across different disciplines is a vital skill in our modern society.

On this course, you’ll discover what interdisciplinary learning is and learn how different disciplines develop their own methodologies and language.

You’ll explore how disciplines create and value different types of knowledge, and discover strategies for working in an interdisciplinary environment.

You’ll also learn how to make the most of interdisciplinary work and collaborate effectively in your own areas of practice.

Week 1
Why can interdisciplinary learning and working be challenging?
- Welcome
  This week, you will explore different disciplines, consider how approaches, language and methods vary across disciplines, and investigate some of the challenges inherent in interdisciplinary study and work.
- Why do you have to think about disciplines?
  Explore how different people approach and think about things differently due to the disciplines in which they study and work.
- What is interdisciplinary learning and working?
  Explore what it means to learn and work between, or across, disciplines.
- How can language be a challenge?
  Explore how language and terminology often represent and mask larger differences between approaches and understanding in different disciplines.
- How can methodology be a challenge?
  Explore how different disciplines examine problems, build knowledge and establish facts in very different ways.
- Summary
  To close this week, reflect on the topics covered and discover what you will learn next week.
Week 2
How can you get the most from interdisciplinary learning and working?
- About the week
  In Week 2, you will explore some of the deeper critical reflection needed in interdisciplinary work, and consider how to maximise the success of your interdisciplinary study and work.
- How is knowledge developed in different disciplines?
  Explore how everyday methods, actions and approaches are interconnected with how disciplines create knowledge. This also in turn affects what knowledge is valued by that discipline.
- What type of result do you want to achieve in your interdisciplinary learning?
  Explore a key aspect of knowledge production – the desired end result. This defines what knowledge/information is valued.
- How will you know if you are making progress in an interdisciplinary project?
  Explore how disciplines use different types of evidence to assess if they are making progress with their learning and actions, and if they have succeeded.
- How will you get the most out of your interdisciplinary work?
  In this final activity, explore how different techniques and approaches can support your interdisciplinary projects.
- Summary
  Reflect on the topics of the course and test your understanding.