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What is Integrative Studies?
John H. Barnett
Texas Tech University
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Abstract
Integrative Studies is an interesting but often misunderstood area of study that provides a method
for synthesizing or combining educational, personal, and professional components and providing
organization to effectively manage complex problems. This paper explores a detailed definition
of Integrative Studies and how selecting three areas of academic concentration may be combined
to create a specialized degree that’s beneficial both personally and professionally. A complex
problem of personal interest is analyzed, and a summary of career and future plans is provided.
Keywords: integrative studies, discipline, interdisciplinary, complex problem
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What is Integrative Studies?
Definition
Integrative Studies is defined in Lesson 2 as follows – “Integrative Studies provides for a
synthesis of study and life, an application of interdisciplinarity to complex problems.
Furthermore, Integrative Studies provides for a common body of knowledge, recognizing various
disciplinary perspectives as well as learning how to synthesize and evaluate those perspectives
thus empowering people to address meaningful and complex issues in new and unique ways”
(Tanner, 2014).
On a personal level, Integrative Studies provides a foundation, a method for synthesizing or
combining educational, personal, and professional components into a personal chronicle that
makes sense and is satisfying and rewarding. Integrative Studies provides organization to
effectively manage complex problems through the application of interdisciplinarity, the seeking
of knowledge and solutions from different disciplines, from different perspectives, and
synthesizing that information allowing for more meaningful and comprehensive management of
complex problems.
I find the notion or concept of Integrative Studies empowering. Until I began this course,
I’d never consciously considered addressing complex issues in an interdisciplinary fashion. To
apply the knowledge of separate disciplines to complex problems and synthesize that knowledge
into effective solutions is not only brilliant, but quite natural. Addressing complex problems
from a single perspective no longer makes sense. I can visualize becoming interdisciplinarian
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and applying the methods of Integrative Studies to all complex issues – educational, personal,
and professional.
Education
My degree plan lists the following areas of concentration – Area 1: Organizational
Leadership, Area 2: Mass Communication, and Area 3: Advertising. I wish I could say that
careful thought and consideration went into my three areas of concentration, but it’s not the case.
I began my college education 37 years ago. With no clear idea of the future, I performed poorly
in the beginning and it wasn’t until my junior year at Texas Tech that I discovered an area of
concentration that I not only found interesting, but seemed to have a talent for – Advertising. I
began taking courses in Advertising and Mass Communication with the intent of earning a
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising. Without ever realizing any clear direction, I amassed enough
college hours for two master’s degrees, but never completed a degree program.
Last summer, I contacted the university and expressed my desire to earn a degree. I was
placed in touch with an advisor who compiled a degree plan for a Bachelor of Arts in University
Studies. Until I began this introductory course to Integrative Studies, I still hadn’t considered
much more than my desire to earn a degree from Texas Tech. All these years, it’s been a source
of regret that I did not complete a degree program, and this effort is a matter of personal pride. I
do not expect my degree to make any significant difference in my professional life, and I will not
be seeking another profession. I’ve worked in the banking industry for nearly 30 years and plan
to retire in about 10. I do, however have a plan for a second career and believe that my areas of
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concentration, including Organizational Leadership can play a significant role in the success of
that plan.
During my early years at Tech, with the help of a friend, I began to develop a fascination
for residential real estate, participating in various transactions and processes. I worked for
several years as a mortgage loan officer and briefly as a residential real estate appraiser. I’ll
complete my degree plan and earn a Bachelor of Arts in University Studies in May, 2015 – just
four more courses after this one. I plan to immediately take the required courses and the exam to
become a licensed realtor, then a broker. As mentioned, my areas of concentration –
Organizational Leadership, Mass Communication, and Advertising can play a significant role in
the success of such a venture.
Organizational Leadership as an area of concentration has obvious benefits in the
workplace. Courses in human resources development and integrative studies provide a good
basis for effective leadership and problem solving in any organization.
Mass Communication is an important tool in the real estate industry and information and
techniques from this area of concentration may be applied even at levels where a nominal budget
is introduced – classified advertising, for instance. Communication regarding properties may be
disseminated through a multiple listing service, newspapers, industry publications and the
Internet.
Advertising is also a key component to practicing real estate. Whether advertising the
strengths of the organization or individual properties listed for sale, whether advertising at a
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national level like Remax or at the local level with a well-designed yard sign, information from
the discipline of advertising is critical to successful real estate practice.
Combining or integrating knowledge from areas of concentration such as Organizational
Leadership, Mass Communication, and Advertising provide solid, practical knowledge and
structure that contribute to the success of a real estate business.
Complex Problem
I’ve been thinking of a second career in real estate for years, and have developed a complex
problem that can only be addressed and provide benefit to customers by drawing on multiple
disciplines and applying interdisciplinary solutions. The problem: Secure satisfactory
agreements between buyers and sellers of residential property and provide individual properties
with security of services. The on-going solution: Establish real estate practices in
neighborhoods of interest and promote buying, selling, leasing, and management of properties
for residential living. Complement each practice with a home management system that provides
complete property services.
My three areas of concentration – Organizational Leadership, Mass Communication, and
Advertising provide a sound basis for the venture I’ve described. But so many other disciplines
come into play. Law is a good example. Without sound legal counsel, any business may be
asking for trouble. And even the practice of law may require individuals versed in areas such as
contracts or the environment. The discipline of engineering is another good example and may be
divided into areas such as electrical or structural. Architecture is another discipline with obvious
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benefit to a complex problem of this nature. And interdisciplinary solutions may occur through
projects such as outdoor living spaces where a collaboration of electrical and structural
engineering, landscape architecture, and legal counsel to secure permits combine for new and
innovative problem solving.
Connection
To summarize, I have been a banker for virtually my entire career spanning nearly 30 years.
My intent in earning a Bachelor of Arts in University Studies was initially to satisfy my desire to
earn a college degree – nothing more. I only began to think critically about the value of learning
and knowledge, about incorporating my areas of concentration into a future that includes a
second career when I began to write this paper. I’ll complete my degree program in May, 2015.
I intend to embark on my second career immediately following, and already feel empowered as I
begin to think in an interdisciplinary fashion. My areas of concentration – previously
unconsidered, work together to create a specialized degree that will serve me well as I undertake
a second career in residential real estate.
Organizational Leadership, Mass Communication, and Advertising form a unique
combination as a basis of knowledge as I build a real estate business. Integrative studies is
teaching me to synthesize knowledge from applicable disciplinary perspectives and apply that
knowledge to complex issues.
More specifically, Organizational Leadership will help to systemize and coordinate the
efforts of a real estate office and real estate professionals to create a successful and workable
practice. Applying interdisciplinarity will help to systemize and coordinate the efforts of
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additional businesses and services related to home ownership. Mass Communication teaches
principles of reaching large groups of people in an efficient manner in an effort to notify
interested parties of available products and services. Understanding methods of mass
communication is essential to a successful real estate practice, or any business concerned with
providing products and services to the public. Advertising is concerned with image, with calling
attention to the product or service one has to offer. Advertising is a critical component that not
only announces the availability of products and services, but portrays an image of
professionalism and expertise in a chosen field.
