Crossing boundaries and disciplines:
Ninth annual undergraduate/faculty interdisciplinary research conference
Kallie Williams
Issue date: 12/12/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Where can you find heated discussions about racial stereotyping, hormone replacement therapy, and the theology of childhood under one roof? Drury University's Ninth Annual Undergraduate/Faculty Interdisciplinary Research Conference.
Each year the conference serves as a forum for both students and faculty to present their own research and ideas as well as have the opportunity to defend their work to their peers.
The conference aims to showcase the importance of a liberal arts education that works hand in hand with a student's career preparation.
It is this exchange of ideas that encourages more interdisciplinary research in the liberal arts.
"One of the most enjoyable elements of this conference is to see the exchange of ideas between undergraduates and faculty.
There is nothing like seeing the gaps between disciplines bridged in this type of setting," comments Lisa Esposito, chair of the Philosophy and Religion department.
Faculty presentations include ideas for projects and practices in interdisciplinary education. They describe and critique efforts to incorporate research in the undergraduate classroom, with a focus on a combination of pre-professional curriculum and liberal arts.
Faculty are encouraged to find new ways to incorporate interdisciplinary research into their teaching. This is a chance for them to showcase the courses they have crafted as well as their ideas for bringing them into the classroom.
Student presentations in the past have explored the intersections between social science, economics, philosophy, religion, and history.
"Students will find it very useful to have the chance to present and defend their work publicly," says Esposito.
All presentations are also published in the conference proceedings.
The conference will be held on the campus of Drury University on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, 2006. Students of all disciplines are encouraged to submit research in either abstract or full paper form.
All submissions are due December 16, 2005. They are blind reviewed by peers and accepted papers will be notified by December 31, 2005.
Anyone planning to attend the conference is encouraged to register early.
"I really enjoyed getting to present my research at the conference. I got some good feedback and learned a lot from the experience," says Julie Bishop, who spoke about breaking free of racial stereotyping in her "Jazz Without Music" presentation at last year's conference.
Each presentation presents a concept that does not necessarily require lengthy experience or expertise in a specific field to understand. The discussion period following each presentation is highly beneficial.
Each year the conference serves as a forum for both students and faculty to present their own research and ideas as well as have the opportunity to defend their work to their peers.
The conference aims to showcase the importance of a liberal arts education that works hand in hand with a student's career preparation.
It is this exchange of ideas that encourages more interdisciplinary research in the liberal arts.
"One of the most enjoyable elements of this conference is to see the exchange of ideas between undergraduates and faculty.
There is nothing like seeing the gaps between disciplines bridged in this type of setting," comments Lisa Esposito, chair of the Philosophy and Religion department.
Faculty presentations include ideas for projects and practices in interdisciplinary education. They describe and critique efforts to incorporate research in the undergraduate classroom, with a focus on a combination of pre-professional curriculum and liberal arts.
Faculty are encouraged to find new ways to incorporate interdisciplinary research into their teaching. This is a chance for them to showcase the courses they have crafted as well as their ideas for bringing them into the classroom.
Student presentations in the past have explored the intersections between social science, economics, philosophy, religion, and history.
"Students will find it very useful to have the chance to present and defend their work publicly," says Esposito.
All presentations are also published in the conference proceedings.
The conference will be held on the campus of Drury University on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, 2006. Students of all disciplines are encouraged to submit research in either abstract or full paper form.
All submissions are due December 16, 2005. They are blind reviewed by peers and accepted papers will be notified by December 31, 2005.
Anyone planning to attend the conference is encouraged to register early.
"I really enjoyed getting to present my research at the conference. I got some good feedback and learned a lot from the experience," says Julie Bishop, who spoke about breaking free of racial stereotyping in her "Jazz Without Music" presentation at last year's conference.
Each presentation presents a concept that does not necessarily require lengthy experience or expertise in a specific field to understand. The discussion period following each presentation is highly beneficial.
Article last update: 12/11/05 at 2:05 PM CST