Interdisciplinary EE Pathway (DP IB Extended Essay): Revision Note

What does an interdisciplinary EE require?

Meaningfully integrating two DP subjects

• This pathway requires you to integrate knowledge, methods and understanding from two different DP subjects

  • Integration means combining elements like concepts, theories or perspectives from both subjects to answer the research question

• The goal is to create new insights or a deeper understanding that would not be possible through a single subject alone

• You are strongly recommended to be studying at least one of the two subjects you choose

  • This ensures you have enough background knowledge to conduct rigorous research

• You do not need to give equal weight to both subjects, but the contribution of each must be clear. Instead, the essay should make it clear that combining the two subjects enabled a better response to the research question than either subject alone

• You cannot choose Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) or Literature and Performance for this pathway

  • These subjects are already cross-disciplinary and must be taken as single subjects in the subject-focused pathway

Why choose an interdisciplinary EE?

• This pathway is often suitable for complex global issues that cannot be solved by one discipline alone

  • Examples include climate change, migration, public health or the ethics of technology

• You must ensure that the topic allows for critical analysis rather than just describing the two subjects separately

• It is normal for your thinking to evolve as you explore your topic—switching pathways before you finalise your research question is completely acceptable

What frameworks can interdisciplinary EEs use?

The five interdisciplinary frameworks

• You must register your interdisciplinary essay under one of five specific interdisciplinary frameworks

  • The framework is a tool to help you position and shape your inquiry but is not directly assessed

  • A topic doesn’t need to match every word in the framework title (e.g., you might focus on ‘identity’ more than ‘culture’)

• Power, equality and justice

  • Covers social or political issues such as conflict, rights, racism, gender, poverty and the legal system

• Culture, identity and expression

  • Covers belief systems, art, language, cultural heritage, traditions and the politics of identity

• Movement, time and space

  • Covers migration, globalisation, urbanism, travel, virtual communities and the history of exploration

• Evidence, measurement and innovation

  • Covers digital innovation, the relationship between art and science, gaming and scientific inquiry

• Sustainability, development and change

  • Covers environmental issues, economic development, food security and social change