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Reflection: Multidisciplinary perspectives on a theme

Brief description

In this exercise, students from different disciplinary backgrounds discuss an academic topic in groups. The topic must be discussed on the basis of each of the students' core academic fields.

Motivation for the exercise and required outcome

The students can learn from each other's academic fields by exchanging approaches from their own academic field. They also learn to identify possibilities and limitations in their own core subject in light of the other academic subjects. Moreover, the students form relationships across the different disciplines, which may increase their active participation in teaching activities.

Performing the exercise

  • You must ask your students to form groups with students from the other disciplines.

    • You may form the groups in advance so as to save time during the teaching session.

  • The students must now discuss a question relating to the topic of the session. They must currently take notes regarding he main points of their discussion.

  • Now ask the students to discuss the same question on the basis of their own core academic field. They must again take notes regarding the main points.

  • Finally, sum up the exercise in class.

Variation options:

  • You may also carry out the second part in class and challenge the students by asking specific question to start the discussion. Students with the same disciplinary background can then support each other in the class discussion.

  • You may complete the exercise by asking the students to write a text (max. one page), which they will then discuss in groups in the following session. In this exercise the students must describe the approach of their own core subject seen in light of the interdisciplinary perspectives from the discussion exercise.

  • The exercise can also be used as a welcome or introduction exercise at the beginning of the course. In this case, you can ask the students to reflect briefly on how their own core academic field may shed light on the main topic of the course. Afterwards, you ask the students to share their reflections in interdisciplinary pairs or groups.


You will need:

  • Relevant questions to the curriculum topic which encourage discussion within the academic subject and also an interdisciplinary discussion.

Worth considering:

  • Which and how many different disciplines are represented in the group?
  • Is there a particular topic you want the students to discuss from interdisciplinary perspectives?