Indetifying a Technology & Society Writer S Disciplinary Perspective

UNIT #16 INDENTIFYING DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE

Introduction: The next step in formulating the proposal for your interdisciplinary research paper (IRP), is to identify the disciplines are involved in the problem or issue you have chosen for the topic of your paper. You have already established that the problem is complex enough to warrant an interdisciplinary approach, and in doing so no doubt have a fairly good idea which disciplines will be involved in your research.

This unit will review some of the concepts we explored in Unit #3 and help you to determine disciplinary perspective in the source material you’ll be gathering for your research paper. You’ll need to identify three or more disciplines involved in your paper and turn them in at the beginning of the next class. These will also appear on #3 of your proposal form.

I. WHAT WE MEAN BY “DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE”

A. DEFINITION OF “DISCIPLINE”

1. The English word “discipline” comes from the Latin word meaning learning and obedience-training.

2. Disciplines have at least two values:

a. To train to systematically use a particular and consistent set of questions for analyzing experience within a coherent frame of reference. b. To interpret reality by asking a unique set of what and how questions. [see “Beware of Pidgin Minds, IIS-47]

3. A definition of “discipline:” “A body of knowledge with a reasonably logical taxonomy [i.e., general principles of scientific classification], a specialized vocabulary, an accepted body of theory, a systematic research strategy, and techniques for replication and validation.” [McDonald, LT-7]

4. Some basic disciplinary terminology [see chart from McDonald, LT-8, below] [Note to Instructor: you may wish to skip A.4]

1 Definition of Terms Examples Epistemology: Theory of knowledge, its methods and validation. Constructivism: We construct our own knowledge. Discipline: “A body of knowledge with a reasonably logical Physics, chemistry taxonomy, a specialized vocabulary, an accepted body of theory, a systematic research strategy, and techniques for replication and validation.” Field: Phenomenon studied relatively unrestricted, methods, diverse; Engineering, education also general branch of learning, as in field of study. Domain: Sphere of influence of a field or discipline; includes Cognitive domain, scientific recognition of an area bounded but not necessarily restricted. domain. Pure: Uses specific models or theories. Physics Applied: Open to environmental complexity. Engineering, education Hard: Logically constructed, uses models or theoretical Physics frameworks, has an acknowledged methodology. Soft: Unrestricted or relatively unlimited field of phenomena… Environmental studies, English literature

B. DEFINITION OF “DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE”

1. Think of each of the traditional academic disciplines as providing a lens through which to view the world.

2. Every discipline has a perspective or way of interpreting and ordering reality.

C. SOMETIMES THE “DISCIPLINARY LENS” OR “DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE” IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED; SOMETIMES IT IS NOT.

1. The key question that one needs to ask when the writer’s discipline is identified (using psychology as an example) is this: “What characterizes the lens of a psychologist?”

2. More specifically, one should ask these questions, particularly when a writer’s disciplinary perspective is not obvious:

a. On what does the writer focus his/her attention? (i.e. irrational human behavior) b. What counts as evidence? c. What kind of language is used? d. What assumptions are at work? e. Altogether, what is the world view of the writer?

2 II. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW A WRITER’S DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE

A. THE WRITER’S PERSPECTIVE WILL REVEAL THREE THINGS

1. Bias. 2. Assumptions. 3. Kind of evidence used.

B. KNOWING A PERSON’S ACADEMIC TRAINING WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE FOLLOWING:

1. How he/she views people 2. How he/she does problem-solving 3. What he/she deems important 4. The kind of evidence accepted

III. HOW TO IDENTIFY A WRITER’S DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE

A. LOOK FOR THE OBVIOUS

1. The editor of the book/journal in which the essay appears may provide biographical information about the writer’s academic credentials or profession. You will recall that this was the case with Cowan as her introduction clearly laid out her disciplinary perspective and her assumptions.

2. Another way to obtain this kind of information about a writer is to use a search engine like Google to see what other publications are available. Book reviews are often helpful in this regard and may be obtainable from sites like www.amazon.com or www.barnsandnoble.com.

B. LOOK FOR THE SUBTLE

1. In the absence of explicit information about a writer’s discipline, you will have to rely on textual analysis. This means, simply, reading very carefully and looking for the kind of clues that we have been searching for in Cowan’s writing.