Background of the Degree Program
Begun in 2002, Old Dominion University’s Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on Work and Professional Studies, takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of work. The degree program centers on issues related to adults as they move up in their careers, transition from one career to another, re-enter the workforce, or go into the workforce for the first time. The program derives its focus from the premise that we spend so much time in the workplace that we should not only study principles and practices that will help in our chosen fields but also step back and study the experience of work itself (Gardner, Csikszentmihalyi and Damon, 2000). When we study the place that work occupies in our overall life experiences, we benefit as professionals and individuals. The integration of theory on workplace issues from a range of disciplines with reflective practice fosters the ability to confidently and effectively manage our work and learning in today’s environment where "the only certainty is your skills, your flexibility, and your capacity to adapt to change" (Moses 1999).
The concentration in Work and Professional Studies is composed of interdisciplinary core courses and courses in understandings and applications in the world of work. The core courses enable students to learn the value and processes of interdisciplinarity by focusing on workplace issues with the outlook that work-based problems require the integration of multiple perspectives rather than a disciplinary approach (Klein 1990). Students focus on work related to their individual interests or experiences and examine how such disciplines as psychology, sociology, political science, economics, art, literature, management, and philosophy explore issues related to work and contribute to our understanding of work. Reflection and analysis of workplace experiences within the context of an interdisciplinary approach assist students in developing electronic presentation portfolios. With tools for integrating work experience and academic study students have the opportunity to examine the forces that shape the nature and experience of work and to recognize the contributions of work to their individual lives. Returning adult students navigate their work experiences in a world where the nature, opportunities, and meaning of work seem to change by the day and where workers must be responsible for the development of their careers.
A snapshot of students in the program finds that they are 25 to 55 years old; their careers span from 5 years to 30 years with experiences in areas such as health care, customer service, special education, security, retired military, marketing, acting, insurance, call center service, human resources, training, and real estate. They are at different places in their career paths: taking a break from the workforce while parenting young children, transitioning from military to civilian jobs, beginning a career, or retraining for a second or third career.
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Working (on) Electronic Portfolios
Connecting
Academic Work and
the Workplace