Forgive me for stating the obvious, but here we are about a week into 2011. Over the past week, I have spent some time thinking about how to kick off the new year, blogospherically speaking. Given the nature of my blog - writing issues for MALS students - it has been a bit of a challenge. The event of a new calendar year does not carry the same symbolic sense of renewal for a graduate student as it may for the average person; your milestones are set and met in terms of papers finished and semesters completed.
That said, I'm going to adopt a New Year's-based theme to begin 2011 and take the "one word" challenge. I am borrowing this idea from Katie Pozzuoli, author of Within Reach (who, in full disclosure, happens to be my cousin). She writes of her resolution to choose "one word" that will carry a special significance during the upcoming year; the idea being that this word will shape the way she approaches her actions and decisions over the next year, in every aspect of her life.
It's an interesting and refreshing alternative to a New Years resolution, and as I read Pozzouli's post, I thought to myself, "How might this "One Word" idea apply to interdisciplinary writers? What word might I suggest to MALS students that could adequately inform the mighty task of writing across several disciplines?" At first I dismissed the idea of applying the One-Word challenge to this blog. Interdisciplinary scholarship seemed far too complex to risk oversimplifying with a one-word characterization. Then it dawned on me.....
Complex.
What word better describes a MALS program of study and reminds us of why an interdisciplinary approach to our chosen areas of scholarship is necessary? Is it not the complexity of our chosen subjects, coupled with a recognition that a single disciplinary approach might not adequately produce useful knowledge about them, that prompted us to become interdisciplinary scholars in the first place?
Learning to accept complexity as a positive condition of interdisciplinary scholarship is key to getting the most out of your MALS experience. In fact, learning to actively seek out complexities in situations that on the surface seem straightforward can lead to some pretty exciting research topics! Recognizing complexity in your chosen area of study and meeting it as a friendly challenge rather than a frustrating roadblock to understanding will free you to concentrate on creating new knowledge about your interests.
I'd like to devote the next few blog entries to a mini-serious about the condition of complexity in interdisciplinary writing. As you enjoy the last few days of winter break, take a few minutes to think about complexity in your program of study. What historical events, cultural influences, or geographic conditions have contributed to your area of interest? How have they worked together to shape how your subject exists or operates today? As you consider these factors, try not to let the layers of complexity snowball and overwhelm you; rather, concentrate on why you decided to pursue your program of study in the first place. Chances are your interest is a result of the fascinating complexities that make your subject worth studying.
Throughout January and part of February, I'll be writing about ways to approach the inherent complexity in interdisciplinary scholarship in terms of writing, so check the blog frequently. Even better, follow my blog! I also encourage you to post comments with questions about complexity in interdisciplinary writing.
Enjoy the remainder of winter break, and Happy New Year!!!
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