THE DIFFICULTIES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION: LESSONS FROM THREE FAILURES AND A SUCCESS

Abstract

Four real education programs illustrate the vicissitudes of interdisciplinary education. Five essential factors are (1) interdisciplinary education must be a primary program goal consistent with other major goals; (2) controlling educational authorities must be committed to it; (3) it may have to exist outside the main academic structure because of its inherent conflict with that structure; (4) honesty, trust, and respect are essential to the interdisciplinary endeavor; and (5) resources must be sufficient for interdisciplinary as well as traditional education. These factors are not often present, so that interdisciplinary education will exist as research and demonstration programs that support those dedicated to this approach and contribute to others by example. They require independence, academic support, self‐direction, and adequate and stable resources.