Disciplines & Interdisciplinarity

The central pillar of the chancellor's restructuring proposal is the argument that disciplines are a poor way to structure a university.

Jerry Jacobs, a sociologist at Penn, has written an entire book on the topic, "In Defense of Disciplines." 

Here are some more relevant links, the first an article on Jacob's book, the second two pieces in Chronicle of Higher Education by Jacobs himself. 

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/02/26/new-book-calls-higher-education-defend-disciplines-not-weaken-them

https://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-the-Disciplines-Still/146777

https://www.chronicle.com/article/Interdisciplinary-Hype/49191 

Arizona State 

The chancellor has noted that his plan resembles that put in place at Arizona State. The president of ASU, Michael Crow, has written a book explaining his plan for a "New American University." Here's a link to a nuanced, substantial review of that book by Christopher Newfield, professor of English and author of important books on higher education, who finds much to praise but criticizes Crow for top-down management and unwillingness to advocate for more resources.

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/new-new-american-university/#!

And here is an analysis in Science that highlights some successes at ASU, but also points out that traditional departments and disciplines are still important there, and that by some important measures (particularly qualitative ones) ASU is not out-performing its peers.

http://www.nature.com/news/arizona-s-big-bet-the-research-rethink-1.16150