-
Does Interdisciplinarity Promote Learning? Theoretical Support and Researchable Questions
- The Review of Higher Education
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 28, Number 1, Fall 2004
- pp. 23-48
- 10.1353/rhe.2004.0028
- Article
- Additional Information
- Purchase/rental options available:
Despite widespread support for interdisciplinary curricula, there is little evidence that such courses are particularly efficacious or that they are superior to disciplinary courses in promoting student learning. To understand how and why interdisciplinary courses might promote specific learning outcomes, the authors apply cognitive and learning theories in an analysis of two undergraduate interdisciplinary courses. This exploration of theoretical warrants for interdisciplinarity leads to a proposed research agenda on interdisciplinary curricula, teaching, and learning.