Integrative studies synthesizes knowledge from different fields to solve complex problems. It combines disciplines like technical writing, organizational leadership, and human resources development. The author proposes studying mergers from this integrative perspective, looking at financials, psychology, sociology, and economics to understand employee and customer impacts beyond just profits. Their integrative degree will provide flexible skills for different careers and allow lifelong learning by making connections across fields.

1. Running Head: WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES 1
What is Integrative Studies
Kali A. Morrison
INTS 2310-D03 – Foundations in Integrative Studies
Texas Tech University

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Abstract
Integrative studies, while once a common educational design, has seen a recent
resurgence in popularity as a beneficial mode of education, study, and research. With its
synthetization of what appears to be unrelated fields or ideas, integrative learning allows for the
synthetization of various disciplines to be combined for solving complex problems and adding to
the body of knowledge in vast areas. As a specialized degree plan it allows for its use not only
during formal educational situations, but also outside of the university setting in research and the
labor market.

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Definition
Integrative studies is the application and use of integrative learning. In order to define
integrative studies, first a definition of integrative learning must be established. Integrative
learning is an approach and process to studying that takes various disciplinary learning and then
applies that knowledge to a new, what appears to be, unrelated area (pg. 3). Integrative learning
takes a complex problem that cannot be addressed adequately by one discipline, applies
perspectives from different areas and bodies of knowledge to create a new all-inclusive
understand of the complex problem (pg.4). It is through the synthetization of old and new
knowledge, various fields, ideas, and perspectives that integrative learning is able to attend to
complex problems and issues.
Integrative studies takes this method of synthesizing new ideas and then directly applies
it to the study of different issues and complex problems. While other disciplines have a defined,
what could be seen as limited scope of inquiry, integrative studies has no boundaries. Integrative
studies takes the best practices of research and application of data from any field that can be of
use and then uses those methods to add to the body of knowledge with the solving of complex
problems and issues.
Integrative studies is a field that is separate from all others, while still intrinsically
connected with them. It is a means of inquiry that creates no experts, but instead creates critical
thinkers that are able to ask the right questions, locate knowledge that is applicable, and blends
this information to find new ways of understanding an ever complicated world.
Education
I have chosen my three areas of concentration to be Technical Writing, Organizational
Leadership, and Human Resources Development. I chose these three areas because they work

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together to create a degree program that I can see as not only aiding me in the job market but as
being beneficial to a prospective employer. While any of the three provide a solid background in
areas that are actively being sought by employers, by combining them into a specialized degree I
am able to provide a more comprehensive educational background that will add value to a
company.
Being able to create a variety of documents based on a specific audience is becoming
more and more common in many professions. With my technical writing concentration I will be
able to meet these expectations with a background not only in writing, but in how to use different
mediums to convey the knowledge that is being requested. Not only will I have the
understanding of how to identify the target audience and how to create the requested document, I
will be have the background from two other distinct fields that will aid me in creating documents
and presentations that culturally appropriate and informative.
Organizational Leadership will give me a wide-ranging background in the numerous
areas that different organizations have. I am able to select from a selection of different classes
from three areas that will assist me in being able to further tailor my area of concentration. With
this added ability to determine what classes I will be taking, I will be able to show a greater
amount of connection with my other two areas of concentration.
My Human Resources Development concentration will give me the understanding of how
organizations can best manage their human capital. By being able to formally study an area that
is experiencing huge job growth, I will be able to show prospective employers that even if not in
a traditional human resources role, I will be a valuable asset because I do have the knowledge of
this complex position.

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My three areas of concentration relate because they all provide skills that employers are
looking for. Technical writing provides the knowledge on how to present information. Human
Resources Development gives me the background on what information an employer needs to
present to remain in compliance with local and federal regulations. Organizational Leadership
will show me what an increasingly globalized economy is looking for in the companies that enter
it and how those companies fit into the economy. While my degree will not be as specialized as
someone who has chosen to focus on only one of these areas, I will be able to show potential
employers that I have a background in very diverse areas that are needed by any organization. By
choosing to not be an expert, I will be a valuable asset to a company in any market. I will also be
able to grow and change with a company as it grows and changes or find new employment
opportunities that are not limited to a specific field.
Complex Problem
A complex problem that I would be interested in studying is effective mergers between
businesses. This is a complex problem because with a merger a business is looking at combining
what were once two separate entities into one cohesive entity. This involves the integration of
workforces, looking at how people relate to each other, the best utilization of current resources,
removing duplicate positions, and maintaining employee morale during what could be seen as a
tumultuous time.
I think studying what makes a merger successful would best be approached from an
integrative studies perspective. For the business, the bottom line might appear to be the best
gauge of if a merger is effective. I would say that looking at the employees and their moral both
before and after, what the new company is able offer to consumers, and if there is a benefit to

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others outside of those who direct gain financially is a greater measure of if a merger is
successful.
To determine success of a merger, the areas that are beyond my three areas of
concentration that I would look at utilizing would start with pulling in knowledge from finance
and accounting. While financial gain is not the sole measure of success, if the new company
fails, the merger could not be seen as a success. Other areas that I would look at that I can see as
being beneficial would include psychology to determine employee morale and sociology to see
how consumers view the new company. Approaching the merger from an economics perspective
would also show how the new company is operating in the local or global economy. These
additional areas would provide the background that would allow the effective securitizing of the
utilization of current resources available while attending to the blending of two entities and
taking care of the needs of the employees.
Connection
My future career plans are not specific beyond an office job. I do not have a dream job
that would utilize my degree, but I do see the worth in not only a college degree but in a degree
that utilizes integrative learning. By having an integrative studies background I will have a tool
that will assist me in my personal job satisfaction. With my three areas of concentration I will
have the skills that will make me an asset to a wide variety of organizations.
I will have an understanding in how organizations fit into a global economy, the
management of human capital, and document creation and I and will have the skills and
knowledge to be able to seek out new opportunities not only for the organization that I work for
but personally as well. I will also be able to see how my job relates to the whole of an
organization, contributes to the organization’s success, and be an asset to that organization by

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offering a perspective and educational background that is not commonly found. I will be able to
realize greater job satisfaction because I can use my three areas of concentration to further any
organization that I choose to work with.
By not being limited to a single field or job description, I will be able to seek out new
opportunities internally and externally from an organization. I will be able to offer my
understanding to colleagues and be a resource for those around me. With the world becoming
more and more connected, being able to see those connections and apply them to different
circumstance will allow me both personal and professional growth.

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References
Tanner, M. N. (2015). Introduction to Integrative Studies. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt