“Interdisciplinarity” has been a buzzword in higher education for years, and it is easy to find supporters of interdisciplinary co-teaching at many institutions. Structures at these same institutions, however, often make offering these kinds of courses near impossible: at some institutions, co-teaching may blur the "ownership" of credits being offered; at others, the registrar may forbid co-taught courses altogether; and at almost every institution, disciplinary siloing creates obstacles to finding collaborators in the first place. 

Despite these obstacles, interdisciplinary co-teaching presents tremendous opportunities. It creates spaces for varieties of disagreements — viewpoint disagreement, yes, but also methodological and pedagogical disagreement — that, if managed correctly, can foster learning in the classroom, and a widened perspective for instructors. Interdisciplinary co-teaching also offers the kind of holistic and integrated learning to which many institutions and instructors aspire.  

This workshop exclusively for HxA members will explore the benefits and obstacles of interdisciplinary co-teaching, and practical strategies for taking advantage of the former and overcoming the latter. 

The session will be led by Dr. Michael Burns (Loyola Chicago, Biology) and Dr. Joseph Vukov (Loyola Chicago, Philosophy). Drs. Burns and Vukov have successfully taught together across disciplines (and plenty of disagreement!) for years, and were recently co-PIs on an NEH grant aimed at fostering interdisciplinary co-teaching at Loyola. Burns and Vukov also regularly present together, including at a recent HxA event at SUNY-Cortland. 

Space is limited. Register today to join the conversation and learn how to bring interdisciplinary co-teaching to your campus.