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Understanding Disciplines Unit I

The document discusses Biglan's classification of academic disciplines into four categories: pure-hard, pure-soft, applied-hard, and applied-soft. Pure-hard disciplines like mathematics emphasize discoveries and explanations, while applied-hard fields such as engineering focus on products and techniques. Pure-soft areas including history value understanding and interpretation, and applied-soft domains like education aim to enhance professional practice through qualitative and quantitative case studies.

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Nidhi Dedhia
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2K views

Understanding Disciplines Unit I

The document discusses Biglan's classification of academic disciplines into four categories: pure-hard, pure-soft, applied-hard, and applied-soft. Pure-hard disciplines like mathematics emphasize discoveries and explanations, while applied-hard fields such as engineering focus on products and techniques. Pure-soft areas including history value understanding and interpretation, and applied-soft domains like education aim to enhance professional practice through qualitative and quantitative case studies.

Uploaded by

Nidhi Dedhia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit Two

Teaching across disciplines


• Classification of academic disciplines:
Becher -Biglan typology ( pure-hard, pure-
soft, applied-hard, applied-soft types) with
emphasis on nature of knowledge in each
type.
HARD Biglan- Becher
typology
Hard-Pure disciplines Hard - Applied Disciplines

Emphasize discoveries Emphasize products and


and explanations techniques
Eg Mathematics, Eg Medicine, Engineering,
Biology, Chemistry, Design
Physics
APPLIED
PURE

Soft- Pure Disciplines

Soft-Applied Disciplines
Emphasize understanding
and interpretation Emphasize processes, protocols
Eg History, Literature, Eg Education, Law,
Art theory, Sociology Information Management

SOFT
Soft Applied disciplines
• Functional and utilitarian in nature
• Help to enhance professional practice
• Use both qualitative and quantitative data
• Case studies are important means to build
knowledge
• Eg Law, Education

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