1. Michael Rendon
What Is Integrative Studies?
Texas Tech University
Professor Tanner
Abstract
Based on the book, Becoming Interdisciplinary, Integrative Studies is a way of combining what you are
learning or have learned and applying it to what you are learning at the time. This concept has been
practiced since the medieval times and can be traced to the, “Christian concept of the unity of
knowledge” (Tanya Augsburg 7). Although the fragmentation of knowledge, or what we know as
specializing in a specific field is typically the model of modern day universities, there is still hope for the
modern day Renaissance man. Indulge me for a second. What do Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo
Buonarroti, Benjamin Franklin, Galileo, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Newton all have in common? They
all were very talented in multiple ways. Take Da Vinci, a painter, sculptor, scientist, architect,
philosopher, engineer and more. Then you have Thomas Jefferson who was an architect, lawyer,
musician, botanist, inventor, and philosopher. And finally, among others, Benjamin Franklin who was in
inventor, civil activist, diplomat, author, and political theorist. My point is simple, these men were great
because they took what they knew about one field and applied it to others. Integrative Studies to me, is
having the ability to take what you know about something and use it to help you have a greater
understanding of something else. Another way to define it is using metaphors to help understand a
concept in different terms. Therefore, as you discussed in the PowerPoint it is up to the student to make
their connections among their majors to increase marketability in the job process.
My three areas of concentration are Exercise and Sport Science, Media and Communication Strategies,
and Organizational Leadership. Originally, I wanted to be involved with a Major League Baseball team
and so it is easy to make the connections amongst the three.
Exercise and Sport Science looks at the Sport Marketing, Sport Management, Sport Facilities, Sport
Psychology and other health related classes that look at overall health and exercise well-being. Media
and Communication Strategies looks at Advertising, Public Relations, Ethnicity, Race, and Gender Issues
as well as other Media classes that really help you think critically about what the Media is telling you.
Last, but certainly not least I have Interdisciplinary Studies, which really helps me tie everything in across
the board. We discuss professionalism, time management, organization and other valuable components
that prepare us to be successful in the work place.
Now, when I spoke earlier about wanting to be involved with a Major League Baseball team, I meant it. I
believe with how competitive the sports field is it will be very difficult to get my foot in the door. This
leads me to my proposed career path, which will be with the U.S. Navy. This will allow me a chance to
look at multiple careers and get a glimpse at all that is going on in the real world. I will utilize knowledge
that I am obtaining in college to propel me into any career path, I do hope the U.S. Navy is that path. I
have found that my training materials from college will be useful references in the future for my future
endeavors. However, I need real world experience in addition to my studies. Furthermore, I believe it is
a rite of passage to serve our nation and protect the ones we love. So once it is all said and done, my

2. Michael Rendon
What Is Integrative Studies?
Texas Tech University
Professor Tanner
Exercise and Sport Science (ESS) focus will benefit me when applying for the Navy because they often
seek athletic individuals who are disciplined, self-motivated, and hold themselves to a high standard. I
think when you look at people in the ESS field; they often keep workout routines and certain eating
habits, which require all three of these personality traits. Therefore, I feel the Navy will only strengthen
these routines, and better prepare me for the civilian workforce afterwards. Additionally, the Media and
Communication Strategies (MCOM) focus will benefit me when applying for the Navy because they seek
people who think critically, know how to maintain a public perception, and make informed decisions.
When you look at the MCOM department, you have individuals that are constantly looking at how you
brand yourself, enforcing the concept that perception is reality. You become aware of the intentions of
advertisements to influence your thoughts and purchasing behaviors.
My third concentration is Integrative Studies, which really teaches me to connect the ideas and use
metaphors to relate ideas between disciplines. This helps to have a better universal understanding of
concepts and leads to a better overall understanding. The way I would connect ESS and MCOMM is by
having a good balance of exercise, healthy eating, critical thinking, and public perception. Furthermore, I
can take the new skills I am learning such as professionalism, budgeting, managing stress, and managing
time. This is the perfect way to conceptualize ideas and really stay open to more knowledge and work
on that concept of life-long learning.
Being forced to specify a major upon enrolling in a university I believe creates a complex problem that I
would like to study. In my mind, this is a limitation to students. Many college freshmen out there have
no clue what they want to do, and I truly believe that making a student decide early on can hinder a
student’s ability to find a track that suits them well. In the PowerPoint, you discussed fragmentation of
knowledge, and I would argue that this fragmentation limits the amount of learning that could be going
on. From the MCOM side of it, we would research what kind of advertising attracts students to what
majors, how public relations effects what major students join, and how much reputation or brand
management comes in to play. The universities advertise a number of fields that have a lot of funding,
which can sometimes bring in students that may not fit in with that field. The student then gets into the
program then realizes that it is not the right one for them, which can set them back a year maybe even
two. From the ESS side of it, I would study how the Personal Fitness and Wellness (PFW) classes affect
students outside of the major positively. I believe obesity and mental health may be tremendously
affected over the course of the four years if it were required each semester. Furthermore, I believe this
study could help students figure out what they might want to do as well as learning to live a balanced
life and being well rounded individuals. I feel a solution to this problem could be either 1) having
students pick a major after their sophomore year or 2) allowing students to have a semester in each
subject that they are interested in up until their senior year in which they would look for an internship in
their desired field. This would provide students a chance to get a glimpse into the ins and outs of each
field and therefor make an informed decision based on their coursework. It would be awesome if the
University would help the student find an internship, but in all reality, I think it is most likely going to be
up to the student to find the internship of their choosing through research and legwork. Possible

3. Michael Rendon
What Is Integrative Studies?
Texas Tech University
Professor Tanner
downfalls to this could be breaking down the current structure, as well as not having a specified track
before the final semester. However, I feel that this might promote a better way of learning by giving the
students a way to explore the university without the pressure of choosing as soon as they get to
campus. It may not be an ordinary solution, but that is what Interdisciplinary Studies is, thinking outside
of the box, combining what we know from multiple disciplines, and ultimately applying it to our life and
future careers. Furthermore, I feel that with a semester of each discipline, the student might come out
more informed than they do now, with a whole semester in a subject, you are bound to grasp the
concepts clearer.
References
Augsburg, Tanya. Becoming Interdisciplinary: An Introduction to Interdisciplinary
Studies2nd Edition