Good day, Mentees!
What comes to mind when you read the word integration? As an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you have probably heard this word numerous times.
We would define integration as the combination of elements (in our case, areas and minor) into an integral whole. Integration should be in harmony with our educational, professional, and personal goals. Think of it like a preamble to multitasking. It is a way for you to plan out what it is you want to do, before you are actually doing it.
Rich's studies in physiology and communication relate and complement each other. In the same vein, Andres' is a communications oriented IDS major with a minor in behavioral sciences. Rich's minor in Cinema Studies allows him to put the other two to work, or he can use his knowledge of all three to one whole project or task like his INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES DEGREE!
Andres on the other hand has to figure out ways of how his classes compliment each other. The IDS focus is communications however the minors he has chosen are marketing and sociology(behavioral sciences.) When you combine all these together you start to see how similar and how different they are to each other. IDS allows us the opportunity to 'multi-task' our learning in a way that we incorporate all our areas into a synergistic compound of wisdom!
Choosing similar fields of study is favorable because it will keep you focused and relevant in the field you want to pursue a career in. What processes have you experienced that have allowed you to select your areas of study in IDS?
I think that you gave a GREAT definition of integration and I agree with that completely. My ares of study are Psychology, Art and minor in Mass communication so we actually have a lot in common! I feelt that all of my areas integrate and compliment eachother. My main passion is theatre and music. Because theatre and music are so broad I decided that mass communications would help me with maybe the broadcasting side of it. Im taking psychology mostly because it is something I am extremely interested in and it has given me a lot of knowledge when it comes to knowing how people think in order to portray yourself correctly. All of my studies have worked together to help me understand different aspects of the entertainment industry and what I want to do.
ReplyDelete-Ivette Thomas
Integration occurs when the insights of each particular theory and method are combined. Integration occurs when an interdisciplinary understanding is achieved, when the integrated result is greater than the sum of its disciplinary, and when a new object that belongs to no one is created. Examples include a problem based course project.
ReplyDeleteI have integrated my areas of study because communications, behavioral sciences, and marketing, all study the way consumers, think, act and feel about a product in many different aspects.
Integration of my areas of study is important in terms of my professional career because it will allow me to have a better understanding of consumer and the retail industry when I go into the work place.
Areas of study can be better integrated by studying similar fields and combining them to have a concrete knowledge about a topic to give you a competitive advantage in your industry.
I think your definition of integration is more precise than anything I could come up with :).
ReplyDeleteHow have or haven't you integrated your areas and minor?
My minors are Mass Communication, Marketing, and Digital Media. They all interact with each other through main roots in interpersonal communication. I'm integrating these by utilizing them in an Advertising mindset.
Why is integration of areas/minor important in terms of professional, academic, and/or personal developing?
It is important because it helps you learn how to link ideas and thoughts to be more appealing to a majority of people.
How can your areas/minor be better integrated?
I'm not quite sure. In my mind they are already integrated so I'm not certain where there is room for improvement.