Definition of “Interdisciplinary” in TWU’s MAIH program

We are committed to a model of interdisciplinarity that encourages dialogue across traditional academic boundaries. We accept the interconnectivity of knowledge without rejecting the academic divisions that aid in our understanding. The program offers grounding within a discipline, and provides students with significant exposure to the concepts and principles from other disciplines. The MAIH offers core seminars in each discipline in order to equip students with methods and insights from each discipline and students are encouraged to develop their studies in ways that allow cross-over among disciplines. While our current core humanities are English, History and Philosophy the intent of those who teach in the program is to expand its formal and informal connection to other disciplines, e.g., to Religious Studies and Political Studies.

Rationale for this approach:

- All faculty have expertise in traditional disciplines, and keen interest in learning from other disciplines; some also have published in interdisciplinary fields of study. Although the "Renaissance" scholar who can teach across the disciplines is a high ideal, this program allows professors to teach from the standpoint of their own disciplines and to draw out implications for other fields of study. The disciplinary homes of courses will be used as their designation (HIST/ENGL/PHIL).

- One of our intentions is to prepare students for continuing on to Ph.D. programs within their discipline, without limiting those students who wish to go on to Ph.D. programs in Interdisciplinary Studies.