Editorial Introduction Interdisciplinary, Integrated, Interstitial … : What’s in a Name?

Abstract

It’s a simple question – what’s in a name? At issue is the presence of the word “Integrated” in the name of the journal you are now reading. At Athabasca University, the former Centre for Integrated Studies is now the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, the Master of Arts – Integrated Studies is now the Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies. However, the current editors of this journal have decided to keep retain “Integrated” in its name of the journal, and not just for the sake of continuity. The two concepts of integration and interdisciplinarity are tightly linked, and the journal’s name evokes a bridge to the intellectual origins of the MA-IS program, where discussions of integration and interdisciplinarity were deeply embedded aspects of both teaching and research. Dr. Derek Briton has given us permission to publish an edited version of a 2011 article reflecting on these issues.