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EE Guide (2027 onward): Interdisciplinary

Updated, Sept 2025

Writing an Interdisciplinary EE

 

 

 

Writing an Interdisciplinary EE

There are two components and you may choose these in the order that makes most sense to you.

You might first choose TWO of your DP Courses / subject areas

  • Choose from courses you are currently taking at OIS
  • Be familiar with the Interdisciplinary Guide for those topics, the command terms, research and structural conventions of those subjects
  • NOTE: You may not choose ESS as a subject because it is already considered a blend of two subjects

OR, you might first choose ONE area of the "flower" Framework above

Either way, your EE will combine TWO subjects and ONE framework area into a narrow topic and eventually a focused research question

2 Subjects + 1 Framework area  -->> One topic -->> One RQ

 

Selecting the Topic: Ideas within the "flower" Framework to spark your interest

Power, Equality, Justice:

  • Social or political issues - health, education, racism, gender, poverty, fairness
  • The body -  commodified bodies, violent bodies, bodies as weapons of war

Culture, Identity, Expression:

  • belief Systems; politics of identity, political movements, disputed territories, sporting and other competitions; art and science; music; protest; icons cultural heritage; the body - modifications; literature and science; psycholinguistics; gaming

Movement, Time, Space:

  • migration; refugees; virtual communities; astronomy; travel; urbanism; social media; contested spaces; non-places or non-spaces; conflict; globalization; museums; questions of evolution

Evidence, Measurement, Innovation:

  • art and science; literature and science; cross-scientific inquiry; mathematics in science; gaming; social media

Sustainability, Development, Change:

  • Sustainability - environmental, social, economic; Development - economic, social; Food; Health; Political issues; Poverty

 

Finalizing the Topic

Once you are engaged by an idea, examine your thinking to choose a specific topic. You will probably do some preliminary reading around your topic area to explore what's possible.

Consider:

  • What aspect or issue within the broad topic really interests you?
  • Why will an interdisciplinary approach work for your interests?
  • Which part of the framework suits your topic?
  • Which TWO DP subject can you use to investigate your topics successfully within that framework?

Finalizing the Topic, Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

See more examples on page 24 of the EE Guide

 

Research Questions

The Research Question (RQ) should...

  • invite a critical examination of the topic by integrating knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives, and/or methods from two DP subjects
  • encourage analysis, evaluation, and synthesis - not description, unsupported generalizations, and value judgements
  • be clearly stated and focused
  • be open to change if your research takes you in a different direction

 

Interdisciplinary Research Question Examples

See more ideas beginning on page 30 of the EE Guide

The Interdisciplinary EE uses the same rubric as the Subject-Specific EE

Review the general assessment criteria in the  Assessment Tab first.

Then review the descriptors below, specific to the INTERDISCIPLINARY EE, to see what to focus on.

Five Criterion: Full marks = 30 points

  • A: Framework (6 marks)
  • B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
  • C: Analysis & Argument (6 marks)
  • D: Discussion & Evaluation (8 marks)
  • E: Reflection (4 marks) see Reflection tab

 

Criterion A: Framework for the Essay

  • Your Research Question reflects your interdisciplinary approach. You should explain and justify your use of this approach
  • It should be clear to the reader that you have drawn on the research methods that are common for the two subject areas you are integrating
  • Apply any structural conventions that are common for the subjects you are using, when relevant

Criterion B: Knowledge & Understanding

  • Use relevant and subject-specific terminology and concepts to show a strong understanding of both subjects
  • The balance of knowledge and understanding of both subjects does not need to be even - it can be, or you can have a stronger understanding of one subject more than the other. This is determined by your Research Question. If one subject will have a stronger emphasis, that should be clear in the RQ.

Criterion C: Analysis & Line of Argument

  • Your findings from your analysis should reflect a combination of the two subjects you are using.
  • Your line of argument should give the reader a sense of the development of the perspectives and flow of integration of the two subjects

Criterion D: Discussion & Evaluation

  • The purpose of the discussion to show how you have integrated the concepts, understandings, and (when relevant) theories of the two subjects in relation to your research question.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your essay by giving an appraisal of the interdisciplinary approach

Criterion E: Reflection

  • One of the transferable skills learned will surely relate to your ability to apply an interdisciplinary approach to research

 
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