Perspectives in Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies

The essays and primary research studies presented in Perspectives in Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies extend the field of integrative studies further by drawing a clear distinction between integrative and interdisciplinary studies, in which integrative studies provides for a synthesis of study and life, an application of interdisciplinarity to complex problems. This volume provides a common body of integrative knowledge, theory, methods, and program development and assessment, and reveals how scholars have applied the principles of integrative studies in their courses, degree programs, and research. As a primary or supplemental text, this volume is designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a resource of contemporary integrative studies theories and practices for scholars and teachers. Students interested in interdisciplinary programs will find this text instrumental for synthesizing information across disciplines to solve real-world complex problems. University and college administrators responsible for faculty development, academic assessment, degree program development, and the promotion of an integrative campus culture will also find this a useful resource.

Patrick C. Hughes is associate vice provost for undergraduate education and associate professor of communication studies at Texas Tech University. He researches communication problematics from multi-methodological and integrated theoretical approaches. Specifically, his research is oriented toward studying family contexts, intercultural contexts, and interpersonal contexts, such as interactions between married partners and in health contexts.

Juan S. Munoz is the senior vice president for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs, and associate professor of curriculum and instruction at Texas Tech University. He has taught courses in classroom management, instructional methods, curriculum development, multi-cultural education, bilingual education, and critical social theory.

Marcus N. Tanner is the program director for Integrative Studies at Texas Tech University. Both his education and life experiences are interdisciplinary. Before working in higher education, he spent 13 years in full-time pastoral ministry. His research interests include the interaction of work and family, work and health concerns, and program assessment. He has published primary research on forced termination of clergy and its effects. He serves as a board member at large for the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies and is the Chair of their National Honor Society (Alpha Iota Sigma).