Interdisciplinarity as a way of understanding the human condition in modernity: analysis of Human Sciences Doctoral theses (UFSC)

Abstract

Abstract: the interdisciplinarity is spreading out in the academic context by means of the increase in scientific production and also by the openness of new graduate courses organized in this modality. The interdisciplinary doctorate in Human Science (DICH) at UFSC, which was created in 1995, is one of the first ones in Brazil. Several students who come from different areas of knowledge have already graduated in DICH which has resulted in a great scientific production. The purpose of this article is, therefore, to offer a discussion about interdisciplinarity through the analysis of interdisciplinary doctorate theses in the “Human Condition” area, from 2000 to 2008. These theses present not only varied but also complex and meaningful themes to contemporary human condition, moving from field research through interviews, participative observation and historical documents to theoretical researches, while their methodology uses categories as “social representations”. The authors and theories come from at least three different areas of knowledge, with special attention to Psychology and Sociology. Conclusions point out to the need to keep this experimental characteristic of interdisciplinary doctorate so as to avoid its accommodation in the way of making and understanding research.