Deck 1: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Real World

Question 1

The complexity of the globalized workplace means that

A) There is a need to communicate effectively
B) There is a need to be sensitive to diverse cultures
C) Both of the above

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Educators have developed a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and "studies" programs believing that

A) Interdisciplinarity is basic to education and research.
B) Interdisciplinary learning should replace disciplinary learning.
C) There is no essential difference between disciplinary learning and interdisciplinary learning.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The point of the discussion in "Interdisciplinary Studies and your Career Development" is that

A) Communication is the most important skill sought by employers
B) Interdisciplinary education aids employability
C) Problem solving is the most important skill sought by employers

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Interdisciplinarity has been affected by the changing nature of university research because

A) It is at the interfaces of several disciplines that innovation is made
B) Interdisciplinary faculty can teach all classes
C) The most important research is carried out in disciplinary silos

Question 5

A society in which the development and creative application of knowledge is the primary engine of economic growth, prosperity, and empowerment of all developing sectors of society is called

A) A modern society.
B) A productive society.
C) A knowledge society.

Question 6

"Should we genetically modify plants and animals?" is a complex problem suitable for interdisciplinary investigation because

A) It demands insights from different disciplines including Biology and Philosophy among others
B) It demands insights from biologists only
C) This is not a complex problem.

Question 7

The textbook argues that interdisciplinary knowledge

A) Is more important than breadth of knowledge
B) Is no less important than specialized knowledge
C) Is not as effective as a PhD

Question 8

A knowledge society needs both disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity.
a. True
b. False

Question 9

The creation of the new iPhone is an example of an interdisciplinary project because

A) It is highly creative and innovative but the insights came from the sciences
B) It demanded disciplinary insights that affected software design, engineering, ergonomics, production, marketing, pricing and packaging
C) It was sold all over the world, so an interdisciplinary approach was essential

Question 10

Those ideas that have the capacity to transform how we learn, think, and produce new knowledge are called

A) Revolutionary insights.
B) Creative intelligence.
C) Generative technologies.

Question 11

Systems Thinking is

A) The ability to examine a problem from a scientific perspective that uses the scientific method to explore the system.
B) The ability to examine a problem from a siloed perspective so that only one discipline is used to examine the component parts.
C) The ability to break a problem down into parts that reveal internal and external factors, figure out how each of these parts relates to the others and to the problem as a whole, and identify which parts different disciplines address.

Question 12

Which of the following is "Driving Interdisciplinary Studies Today?"

A) The disappearance of the disciplines.
B) The growing demand for traditional majors.
C) The complexity of nature, society, and ourselves.

Question 13

The ability to view a subject from a broad perspective by placing it in the fabric of time, culture, or personal experience is called

A) Contextual thinking.
B) Humanities thinking.
C) Creative thinking.

Question 14

A study to consider the building of a new parking lot on an old landfill would be complex enough for interdisciplinary investigation because

A) It would demand insights from different disciplines as well as input from stakeholders.
B) It would demand insights from the owners of the landfill and the company wishing to build the parking lot only.
C) This is not a complex problem.

Question 15

A problem is complex when …"

A) Its multiple parts demand study by different disciplines.
B) The answer cannot be found on Google.
C) The problem has more than one answer.

Question 16

A subject or problem is considered complex when

A) Scientists cannot solve it.
B) It concerns the world of nature but not the world of humans.
C) Its multiple parts require study by different disciplines.

Question 17

An example of a complex system in the U.S. is

A) Photosynthesis
B) The chemical formula for Oxygen
C) The U.S. Economy

Question 18

The overall purpose of Chapter 1 is

A) To explain why interdisciplinary studies is now considered basic to education, problem solving, professional practice, and innovation.
B) To explain the necessity of interdisciplinary study for solving environmental problems.
C) To explain why interdisciplinary studies is relevant to only certain types of careers.

Question 19

Overall, interdisciplinary studies is basic to education, problem solving, professional practice, and innovation because

A) Problem solving is the most important skill necessary for the 21st century
B) The ability to solve problems in an innovative way, both in the private and public realms, is increasingly important
C) Disciplinary knowledge is the only skill sought by employers

Question 20

Interdisciplinary fields include university courses such as

A) Geography, History, and Music
B) Asian Studies, Women's Studies, and Black World Studies
C) Physics, Chemistry, and Biology