Critical Thinking Questions
1. Of the several concerns about overspecialization that the chapter discusses, which ones seem most applicable
today, and why?
As discussed in the article the importance of science and mathematics continues to be uber important in
education, government and business. Science and mathematics are important, but it seems many
professionals are overspecialized in their profession. I believe there would be benefits to overarching
educational and training approach.
2. Explain why interdisciplinary is advancing in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the find performing arts,
and the applied fields.
The increased emphasis by universities on research in the late nineteenth century reflected in turn the
fact that many of the natural sciences had become economically useful. Interdisciplinary studies is
advancing in the study of natural sciences
3. From your reading of chapter 1 and 2, describe the relationship between interdisciplinarity and disciplines.
We stress developments in the West because these had a direct bearing on the development of
interdisciplinarity. The term “discipline” was introduced as disciplina by the Romans. But in both Roman
and medieval times it was applied to a limited set of professions such as the law and medicine, in
recognition of the fact that these required the learning of specialized information. Note that only some
professions received attention in universities of the Middle Ages: Though engineers and artists existed,
there were no disciplines of agricultural or mechanical or military engineering or theatre arts Not until
the twentieth century would these fields be absorbed into the academic curriculum of the Western
university, and some of them play a role in the history of interdisciplinarity. Outside of the professions,
all students received the same broad general education.
Applications and Exercises
1. Reflect on how an important past event has shaped your self-understanding, or has motivated you to pursue an
undergraduate degree?
I’ve been working for a fortune 500 company for 15 years and been steadily growing my career with the
company. I’ve reached a point that a lack of having a degree is standing in my way of further
advancements in career. After discussing my option with my mentors, I decided that interdisciplinary
studies with provide the appropriate broad training and education required in my profession.
2. Explain how your brief study of the origins of the disciplines and the rise of interdisciplinary has made the system
of learning you are experiencing at your college or university more comprehensible.
It has helped me appreciate and full comprehend the level of education I am receiving. Moving forward I
feel better about the skills I’ve been provided to help me further my career within my profession or any
other profession. I love the foundation it provides.
3. Select an article on a controversial public policy issue from a major publication such as the New York Times, the
wall street Journal or some other publication recommended by your instructor. Ask these questions of the
author of the article, being careful to provide “in text” evidence to support your analysis (Note: This can be
pursued as a group project):
Does the author place the issue in a broad context? How?
o The author does place the issue in a broad context, by stating the facts and not giving
personal bias or opinion on the subject. The author mentions the reason the policy is being
pushed and the effects that are expected from a 50,000-foot level.
Does the author suffer from tunnel vision?
o No, the author does not suffer from tunnel vision. The author sticks to the facts and does not
provide personal opinions within the article.
Does the author discount or ignore other perspectives on the issue?
This study source was downloaded by 100000867348435 from CourseHero.com on 09-14-2023 12:02:43 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/50729445/Critical-Thinking-Questionsdocx/
1. Of the several concerns about overspecialization that the chapter discusses, which ones seem most applicable
today, and why?
As discussed in the article the importance of science and mathematics continues to be uber important in
education, government and business. Science and mathematics are important, but it seems many
professionals are overspecialized in their profession. I believe there would be benefits to overarching
educational and training approach.
2. Explain why interdisciplinary is advancing in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the find performing arts,
and the applied fields.
The increased emphasis by universities on research in the late nineteenth century reflected in turn the
fact that many of the natural sciences had become economically useful. Interdisciplinary studies is
advancing in the study of natural sciences
3. From your reading of chapter 1 and 2, describe the relationship between interdisciplinarity and disciplines.
We stress developments in the West because these had a direct bearing on the development of
interdisciplinarity. The term “discipline” was introduced as disciplina by the Romans. But in both Roman
and medieval times it was applied to a limited set of professions such as the law and medicine, in
recognition of the fact that these required the learning of specialized information. Note that only some
professions received attention in universities of the Middle Ages: Though engineers and artists existed,
there were no disciplines of agricultural or mechanical or military engineering or theatre arts Not until
the twentieth century would these fields be absorbed into the academic curriculum of the Western
university, and some of them play a role in the history of interdisciplinarity. Outside of the professions,
all students received the same broad general education.
Applications and Exercises
1. Reflect on how an important past event has shaped your self-understanding, or has motivated you to pursue an
undergraduate degree?
I’ve been working for a fortune 500 company for 15 years and been steadily growing my career with the
company. I’ve reached a point that a lack of having a degree is standing in my way of further
advancements in career. After discussing my option with my mentors, I decided that interdisciplinary
studies with provide the appropriate broad training and education required in my profession.
2. Explain how your brief study of the origins of the disciplines and the rise of interdisciplinary has made the system
of learning you are experiencing at your college or university more comprehensible.
It has helped me appreciate and full comprehend the level of education I am receiving. Moving forward I
feel better about the skills I’ve been provided to help me further my career within my profession or any
other profession. I love the foundation it provides.
3. Select an article on a controversial public policy issue from a major publication such as the New York Times, the
wall street Journal or some other publication recommended by your instructor. Ask these questions of the
author of the article, being careful to provide “in text” evidence to support your analysis (Note: This can be
pursued as a group project):
Does the author place the issue in a broad context? How?
o The author does place the issue in a broad context, by stating the facts and not giving
personal bias or opinion on the subject. The author mentions the reason the policy is being
pushed and the effects that are expected from a 50,000-foot level.
Does the author suffer from tunnel vision?
o No, the author does not suffer from tunnel vision. The author sticks to the facts and does not
provide personal opinions within the article.
Does the author discount or ignore other perspectives on the issue?
This study source was downloaded by 100000867348435 from CourseHero.com on 09-14-2023 12:02:43 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/50729445/Critical-Thinking-Questionsdocx/
