• University of Leeds

Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines

Thinking of doing an interdisciplinary degree? Learn how to study and work in an interdisciplinary environment.

4,951 enrolled on this course

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Interdisciplinary Learning: Working Across Disciplines

4,951 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Harness the benefits of interdisciplinary study and work

Real life problems are too complex to be solved by a single field of study. That’s why learning to work across different disciplines is a vital skill in our modern society.

On this course, you’ll discover what interdisciplinary learning is and learn how different disciplines develop their own methodologies and language.

You’ll explore how disciplines create and value different types of knowledge, and discover strategies for working in an interdisciplinary environment.

You’ll also learn how to make the most of interdisciplinary work and collaborate effectively in your own areas of practice.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 5 seconds Scott McLaughlin: Many real-life problems are too complex and interlocked to be solved by a single discipline. In a world where interdisciplinary research is of growing importance, dividing knowledge by disciplines creates barriers. Interdisciplinary degrees prepare students for jobs in the ever-evolving industry landscape. Interdisciplinarity also benefits students, since research councils expect new research to offer a broader view and sharper insights that come from the intersection between disciplines that allows new forms of knowledge to emerge. This online course looks at different subjects to understand how disciplines create unique methodologies and develop their own terminologies. The course also looks at real-life examples that explore how different disciplines can work together.

Skip to 0 minutes and 55 seconds You will learn practical strategies and techniques that will prepare you for your own interdisciplinary degree or research. I’m Dr. Scott McLaughlin, and I’m passionate about interdisciplinarity, and different ways that disciplinary boundaries affect collaborative research. Join this course today and discover practical ways that will help you with your interdisciplinary work or studies.

What topics will you cover?

  • The definitions of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary.
  • The different ways that disciplines use and interpret key language and terminology.
  • The different methodologies preferred by disciplines.
  • The ways that disciplines create and value different types of knowledge.
  • Key strategies for studying interdisciplinarily.
  • Key strategies for working interdisciplinarily with others.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore how different disciplines have standardised focuses and methods for researching and solving problems.
  • Compare the ways that different disciplines create and discover knowledge, and the type of knowledge they create.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness and applicability of discipline-specific epistemologies to different needs and projects.
  • Reflect on how your understanding of your own discipline changes when you compare it to the principles and methods of other disciplines.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those preparing for a joint honours degree or an interdisciplinary degree at undergraduate or masters level.

It will also be useful for academic researchers undertaking research in new areas or professionals working on projects with people from different disciplines.

This course is part of the skills courses portfolio at the University of Leeds that is designed to improve students’ academic study skills.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Ways to learn

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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