Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Abstract Science diplomacy is an interdisciplinary concept, and specifically in the discussion of Iraq, areas such as science and technology, international relations, foreign policy, the military-field, and the discursive field are the most important conceptual sources that form it. This research seeks to answer the question of how the scientific diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran with Iraq is formulated and what are the most important challenges of scientific cooperation between Iran and Iraq? This multidimensional research was conducted in a qualitative paradigm. The data and information collection method was a combination of documentary and library sources, semi-structured and interactive interviews, participant observation, expert interviews, and holding expert panel meetings and obtaining the views of relevant institutions and organizations. In this study, the four dimensions of educational, research, cultural, and executive science diplomacy between Iran and Iraq will be examined. Increasing the role of overseas agents in the field of diplomacy, especially strengthening the role of scientific advisors and technology advisors in identifying the capacities of the destination country and introducing Iran's capacities, developing a roadmap centered on the institutions responsible for the science and technology sector, regulating the bureaucracy of international interactions between academic and industrial actors, and facilitating consular procedures for non-Iranian nationals, Developing an input and output database for higher education institutions in order to strengthen networking and benefit from individual expertise, continuously assessing the market needs and environmental conditions of the destination country, striving for a unified and realistic definition of the world and international relations, increasing the cultural literacy of players in the field of scientific diplomacy and the internationalization of universities in particularو Investing in increasing the quality of human resources in this field can be effective in advancing Iran's scientific diplomacy.

Abstract For several decades, countries around the world have recognized the significance of development in attaining human excellence, eradicating inequality, and establishing social justice. They have prioritized the pursuit of development goals as the focal point of their macro policies. Since women constitute half of the population, it is crucial to prioritize their education. Higher education plays a key role in shaping human resources, underscoring the significance of promoting women's education and giving due attention to single-sex universities. The current research utilizes a qualitative approach within the interpretivism paradigm, employing the content analysis method to explore the lived experiences of students studying in a single-sex environment of Alzahra University. The research participants are comprised of female undergraduate students, selected through purposive sampling. The findings represent across four dimensions: the individual dimension, which includes aspects such as self-confidence, freedom of expression, respect, a safe and comfortable environment, stress control, good feeling, support, flexibility, feminine feeling, mutual understanding, focus on lessons and academic progress, spirit of questioning, jealousy, and a lack of interest in university, school-like environment, and clothing. Social dimension encompasses harmony, social communication, shared thoughts, and a lack of social communication with the opposite sex. Cultural dimension involves factors such as not allowing education and choosing a university based on values and versatility. The cognitive dimension includes learning topics in a theoretical and non-practical way, a focus on obtaining grades, and a lack of connection with the labor market.

Abstract University, as a crucial social context, not only facilitates continuous scientific experience but also plays a pivotal role in shaping students' character through diverse interactions and situations. This study aims to examine how universities help contribute the formation of students' character. This study employs a mixed-method approach (quantitative-qualitative). The quantitative phase involves a random sampling of 290 undergraduate and graduate students from Tehran universities, using researcher-developed questionnaires. Quantitative data are analyzed using statistical software. The qualitative phase consists of in-depth interviews with higher education managers and experts, analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that moral character significantly predicts students' academic performance and the development of ethical and social virtues and attitudes. The data analysis identifies four main dimensions in enhancing students’ character: 1) Empowering and virtue-oriented attitudes (including intellectual growth, mindfulness, and self-efficacy); 2) Personality attitudes (including extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness); 3) Social attitudes (including novelty-seeking, harm avoidance, and active agency), and 4) Ethical attitudes (including moral education, learning from experience, and cultivation of human values). The university's central role in creating an environment for interaction, learning, and growth of these attitudes is also highlighted.

Abstract With the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the understanding of power also gradually changed. Soft power by modifying the limited focus of realist power analysis i.e. possessing specific tangible resources to maintain and increase national power, introduces persuasive power; the ability to shape the desires of others not by force but through persuasion distinguishes between hard and soft power. In terms of effectiveness, it clearly showed the nature of the behavior and the concreteness of the resources. In Joseph Nye's explanation, soft power is an analytical concept that matches and overlaps with realist, liberal, and constructivist views and theories. Higher education can be regarded as an apparatus of soft power, thereby entailing examination of its relationship with other international theories.  The basic question is the position of the soft power of higher education in international theories and how it can be theoretically explained in the theories that have also observed pragmatic behaviors. Here, by explaining higher education as a cultural matter and an apparatus of soft power, we demonstrate its relationship with the theories of realism, liberalism and constructivism. Methodologically, we are conducting an interdisciplinary study, citing library studies and explaining descriptive review. In examining each of these theories, we present narratives, conceptual and theoretical frameworks regarding the role of the soft power of higher education to explain its role in domestic development and national interests in various political, social, cultural, technological and economic fields, maintaining peace and preventing conflict as well as its role in expanding public diplomacy and soft power of higher education.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify and determine key factors, emerging trends and driving forces in the development of future faculty promotion regulations (FPR) and evaluate the structural relationship between key factors over the Horizon 2035. For this purpose, relying on a mixed methodology and using the literature review, interviews, the cross-impact analysis matrix, MicMac software and expert panels, key factors are identified and the relationship of influence and dependence between them are structurally analyzed. As a result, five forces including "Discourse governing higher education in Iran", "Society (industry, market and government) expectation of higher education", "Economics of higher education", "Competitiveness and internationalization of higher education" and "Emerging challenges and development of Interdisciplinary sciences" are considered as drivers of change in the subject of research and the function and influence of each in the future of the faculty promotion system is explained. Accordingly, upgrading future editions of FPR requires alignment with the identified drivers, considering structural complexities between key factors and adapting to changes in the social, economic and political environment through interdisciplinary and futuristic approaches.

Abstract Sports science and future studies have both emerged as an interdisciplinary field in the world. Interdisciplinary studies is one of the areas that has grown in parallel with these two, and have had a tangible and fundamental impact on them and have been influenced by them. Interdisciplinary research is very important, especially in the field of sports, which has ambitious goals in addition to its health-oriented nature. Therefore, a strategic corridor for the development of Iranian university sports was emerged in this article, by using the scenario tool as one of the future research methods. Exercises in universities are an institutional form of the physical education trend for a healthy and active life. The participants of the present analytical and exploratory study included 34 domestic and foreign individuals interested in Iranian university sports who were selected based on the purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews and open questionnaires. Based on the findings, analysis of 30 main factors eventually led to production of two key uncertainties of "joining the global sports movement" and "systematization of sustained physical activity", which became the basis for the development of four scenarios named Damavand, Tafakhr, Rooz-az-No and physics. In order to develop the Iranian university sports, separate policies should be developed in different domains of university sports based on sustainable physical activities.

Abstract The main theme of futures studies in higher education is the systematic identification of forces and drivers of change, opportunities and threats to change, designing a vision and a favorable future for higher education and an effective university, and designing effective strategies and actions to achieve a desirable future. Therefore, this study aims to outline the futures studies desk of higher education located in the Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education during (2014 to 2021) as a systematic manifestation of futures studies in Iran. For this purpose, the qualitative meta-analysis method is used to analyze and integrate these studies with a comprehensive approach (quantitative and qualitative) in both form and content dimensions. Findings in the form of evidence indicate the continuation of desk studies in different years and the participation of a diverse range of stakeholders from the scientific and managerial body of universities, higher education and research institutions. On the other hand, in the content dimension of desk studies in five thematic categories including effective management and planning in higher education, evaluation and quality of universities and research centers, curriculum and university learning, information and communication technology and cyberspace in higher education, economics of higher education and university has been done that under each category, according to the conditions and requirements of the country, priority issues have been selected and studied in an interdisciplinary approach.

Abstract Considering the impact of fourth generation universities on social, economic and, cultural developments as well as the growth and development of local and regional communities, the main purpose of this article is to study the dimension and develop a fourth-generation university model for Iranian universities. The study was conducted within the framework of a qualitative approach and using the grounded theory strategy. The statistical population included experts and specialists in the field of higher education. Using the purposive sampling method, the required data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 25 experts. The data analysis was performed using MAXQDA software and based on Strauss and Corbin design in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. To validate and review the results, they were given to the interviewees and then using the peer review technique by five experts of higher education, the validity of the research was confirmed. Findings showed that the component of responsible value-creating university as a central phenomenon, transformationalism and adaptability as causal factors, responsible leadership, development of professional skills of human capital and developer curriculum as action strategies, components of specialized and professional policy-making, culture responsible innovation culture and transformational structure were identified as underlying conditions, whereas; academic independence and developer financial models were identified as the intervening components of the fourth generation university. The main consequence of the interaction of all the mentioned components is regional development, which plays a vital role in the development and growth of the local and national community in areas such as: cultural, social, economic and environmental.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to investigate and explain the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on higher education. Futurology as an interdisciplinary field guides the orientation of this article. The results are presented in the form of future scenarios. The findings showed that higher education experts have already accepted the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has had impacts on higher education. Moreover, in their view, these effects are not simple and have wide and diverse dimensions. On average there was a fifty percent agreement on at least one of seven preferred scenarios mentioned above. Three major trends that are most likely to occur from the respondents' point of view are: strengthening e-learning (but not as a fundamental transformation and a complete online delivery of the content), a change in the academic lifestyle and paying more attention to sustainability. These three trends contain the most preferred scenarios.

Abstract Internationalization has become a major issue and a widespread phenomenon in higher education area.. One of the aspects of policy making in this area is paying attention to the cultural dimensions of internationalization of higher education, which provides the terms of acceptance of this phenomenon and prevents conflicts. Considering the importance of cultural issues and the role of reproduction of culture in higher education, this article seeks to answer the question of what cultural requirements for internationalization of higher education are required. To answer this question, a mixed research method (qualitative and quantitative) was used. The findings showed that in order to promote the internationalization of higher education in Iran, it was necessary to consider the adoption of cultural policy at the levels of governance, the international environment, the domestic environment (national culture), and universities and higher education institutions simultaneously, and in each case it is necessary to adopt proper policies. The main suggestion of this paper is presented in the form of a comprehensive and universal model based on all levels and the far and near environment of higher education.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explain the prerequisites and mechanism of interdisciplinary curriculum in order to realize comprehensive episteme. The research method in this article is analytical-deductive. Two important questions are going to be answered: "1) What are the prerequisites for interdisciplinary curriculum? 2) What is the mechanism for substantiation in the acquired episteme through interdisciplinary curriculum in higher education?" According to the findings, the most important prerequisite for interdisciplinary curriculum is understanding the importance of interdisciplinarity in learner's self-directing. It is necessary for relevant practitioners to realize that the division of subjects into separate syllabus makes it difficult to connect the concept. The current discipline-based curriculum does not provide learners to develop higher cognitive skills, which neglects dimensions of insight and skills of learning. Also, since comprehensive episteme is learning that includes cognition, insight, and skill,the academic curriculum must be conducive so that learners can reach all aspects of comprehensive episteme. The mechanism of interdisciplinary curriculum is to provide opportunity for discussion and thinking. It is also a means for professors to become acquainted with new teaching methods, make assessment of local and national needs, consider the results within the curriculum content and finally apply an appropriate evaluation method. By using interdisciplinary curriculum, it is possible to realize the comprehensive episteme of the university's prominent goals.

Abstract Geographical information system (GIS) technology  has a variety of facilities and programs based on software features and functionalities. It has been increasingly used within archaeological research contexts over the last 30 years.  The widespread use of this system in archaeology is a product of the proliferation and availability of geographic software programs, advances in computer technology and, abundance of spatial data in archaeology. Iranian archaeology is not an exception to this rule. In recent years many researches and thesis have appropriately used these tools in their studies. This study reviews the necessity of using spatial theories in archaeology and review the application of this system in Iranian archaeology. After reviewing applied activities based on this systems in landscape studies and intra-site applications in Iran , it was clear that archaeologists have not completely identified the capabilities and features of this system. Absence of legitimate uses by geography graduates assisting in archaeological studies are the most important difficulties in the way of GIS in Iranian archaeology. However, other factors such as difficulty of spatial models suitable for all objects and various forms from excavations; the lack of database updates; length of archaeological interpretations of excavations for printing; a great variety of objects, concepts and specific functions; mapping and image analysis; cultural and regional diversity; chronology and historical context; financial deterrents; the lack of consensus among the Iranian archaeologists and so on affect this matter as well. 

Abstract From the perspective of the new world through criticism, education & cultural manifestation, traditionalism as a strong intellectual current in the contemporary world wants to make new order in the field of culture ,science ,& education. .In the recent decade this current, which is based on a philosophical & mystic tradition, has, found  its role in the minds of many different countries & cultures. Accordingly, the educational and scientific programs related to the contemporary traditionalism which is influenced by ideas of Seyed Hossein Nasr in Iran have been valid. This paper reviews the critics of thought, especially Seyed Hossein Nasr. The  content & structure of modern science and scientific system corresponding to the alternative proposal are discussed in an interdisciplinary approach. Thus on the one hand, responding to the interdisciplinary approach of traditionalisms in contemporary world and on the other hand, alternatively returning to metaphysic tradition and not just the past, provides opportunity to understand the whole system of thought that includes the sciences such as philosophy, theology, mystic, history, psychology , art, politics and the Exacts science . In this article we will try to look at the future of science according to the critical view of Seyed Hossein Nasr towards scientific system. This approach argues that this scientific system is rooted in metaphysics an  inversion of modern era.

Abstract Psychology as a hub science has a good capacity to connect human sciences. Purposes of this article were: Reviewing historical interest among psychologist for interdisciplinary studies; Investigating common issues between psychology and other human sciences; Explaining psychological causes for failures of interdisciplinary studies in human sciences in Iran; Clarifying role of interdisciplinary institutions for higher education development; Presenting ways for integrating psychologist in interdisciplinary studies in Iran. Interdisciplinary studies need to develop interdisciplinary institutions that consider psychological, social and moral needs of human being and society. In Iran, maladaptive group process in team work, self-serving bias and shortages of interdisciplinary institutions as a social scaffolding for developing of human science may probably explain failures of interdisciplinary cooperation. Development of interdisciplinary institutions which psychology could have an active role needs to alter educational curriculums for psychology, developing new domain of psychology, and adopting discursive perspectives in psychology.

Abstract Science diplomacy is a developing foreign policy and international relationship among nations is affected by science and technology. Because of the major role of higher education in the production and dissemination of science and new technology, this important organization has always been attractive. This study is an investigation into measurements and factors for developing science diplomacy and the role of higher education as a fundamental factor in foreign diplomacy. This study is of applied type. The researcher-made questionnaire is the tool for data gathering in this paper. The sample in this research is composed of the faculty members of Khajeh Nasir Toosi University. The results show and confirm 3 dimensions and 33 elements for developing science diplomacy and 5 factors and 21 measurements for the role of higher education in developing science diplomacy. The main suggestions for higher education and foreign policy are developing infrastructure, developing international cooperation among universities, and finding solutions for shared challenges especially among neighboring countries.

Abstract Environmental problems, expanding knowledge and developing new technologies for environmental curriculum in higher education require planning environmental curriculum and developing academic thinking in relation to the dynamics of past, present and future. The purpose of present study is to analyze the interdisciplinary curriculum of environmental education in higher education. The research methodology is descriptive. The research population is composed of 759 professors and students of environmental education at Iranian universities, including 40 teachers and 719 students. The sampling of students was random; based on the proposed model by Morgan and Krejcie, 250 students were selected. However, the professors were selected using census mthod. The research data were collected using questionnaires developed by the researchers in this study. The validity was assessed 0.8, using opinions of experts and Lawshe’s Formula, and the reliability was calculated 0.806 based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The SWOT matrix was used for the analysis and interpretation of the data. Considering the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, the current strategy of higher education system in the environmental curriculum, is an offensive strategy, a strategy that uses the strengths and takes advantage of opportunities to advance the goals of development and progress. This type of strategy is the optimal strategy. 

Abstract Knowledge-oriented social life, society needs and problems complexity, expectation from universities for social services, innovation and academic entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and enriching education and research activities have transformed interdisciplinary activities development to strategic necessity in higher education. In recently half-century, interdisciplinary activities have had suitable outcomes and results for higher education system, industry and society. One of the most important interdisciplinary activities outcomes is inclination for designing and carrying out interdisciplinary activities by universities, industries, government, faculties, researchers and students. Iran's higher education and university system, the development of academic interdisciplinary towards defined goals and plan, so much success has not. With due consideration to importance and necessity of the interdisciplinary activities and existing challenges, by mixed qualitative research method, were investigated and analyzed why, what and how of interdisciplinary activities and its success factors and development requirements in universities. Finally, based on the study, six main factors and twelve key requirements for formation, growth and development of the interdisciplinary in higher education is derived and explained.

Abstract Interdisciplinary activities are frequently heralded as innovative and groundbreaking, a necessity for confronting the numerous social ,cultural and economic challenges facing higher education. This article considers the inherent conflict between the professoriate and the university structure related to interdisciplinary. It concentrates on strategies that cultivate the sort of change necessary for interdisciplinary advancement. The article addresses the engagement of faculty with interdisciplinary efforts and the institutional support of such work as requiring a cultural change in institutional behavior. Cultivating interdisciplinary change requires attention to the multiple cultural layers the university comprises. One emphasis must be placed on the basic structure of academic work, the departments and colleges, where faculty members spend a majority of their time and intellectual resources. Another emphasis occurs at the institutional level, when the campus fosters a culture where interdisciplinary work is valued, encouraged, and supported. This article focuses on these facets of change and offer guidelines for engaging faculty in interdisciplinary endeavors.

Abstract Higher education as a human resource development and production of knowledge system play an important role in economic development, social and cultural rights in any country. The role of human development, particularly in developing countries and experienced professionals, especially faculty is undeniable. In this twenty-year perspective can be considered for future community development. In this document, the need to develop human resources with advanced knowledge, enabling the production of science and technology, human resources and social capital rests on top of emphasis. Hence the importance of higher education can be realized in the future development of the country. 
Thus, the nature and quality of an institution of higher education depends on the quality of its faculty member. Respond to the emerging needs of the scientific communities interdisciplinary studies are needed. The article focus on the concept of the faculty development and different aspect of it then new approaches to the role of faculty in promoting interdisciplinary research located at the end of the analysis and new strategies is presented to improve the quality of interdisciplinary science.

Abstract Abstract Quality education and research, including the major concerns of higher education systems in most countries of the world.Surveys show that despite its role in human resource development and universities have always been the efforts of this is that they can train students to solve community problems, and failures of education is still lacking. University as an organization that plays an essential role in the development of scientific, cultural and professional training should keep pace with scientific developments, and educational needs of national and global scale, continuous process to improve their educational quality. This study examines some of the factors affecting educational quality has been improved. These include supporting students and professors, faculty, administrative services, library services, educational programs and locations, are infrastructure and facilities. To identify and ranking factors that influence the improving educational quality using the AHP approach is used to the opinions of130people of Professors and Students of the University. According to information obtained by using expert choice software provided training program with a weight 0.338 has the greatest impact on improving the quality of education. Then faculty members with weight 0.246, Supporting students and teachers with weight0.122, Location, infrastructure and facilities with weight0.103, Library Services with weight0.102, Administrative Services with weight0.089, The are next priorities

Abstract The goal of this paper is the evaluation of role and status of interdisciplinary in relationship of university-industry. With evaluation of science production process and review all of three exist paradigm in sociology of science, recent paradigm introduce relationship of university-industry as a pattern of science production. But, this relationship isn’t a simple and without problem. In other hand, interdisciplinary educations and researches have increased in recent years. With evaluation of effective factors on interdisciplinary works and its limitations, results showed that exist challenges and problems in relationship of university-industry are same cases that concerned to effective factors on interdisciplinary and if these factors weren’t been, they would cause disorder in interdisciplinary work and challenges due to relationship of university-industry. So emphasizing on interdisciplinary educations and researches can solve huge part of exist challenges and problems in relationship of university-industry.  

Abstract Different developments in recent years have provided protection for participative and interdisciplinary research from research and educational institutes and other organizations which invest in research. Because of the need for having a comprehensive look in solving problems and understanding complexities and also multidimensionality of problems which societies encounter some special ideas have evolved. Based on these ideas if researchers who are involved in one discipline, without being helped from experts of other disciplines, may come to ineffective solutions without sufficient consideration in all aspects of the problems. So research policy makers have come to these conclusions that: first, researches relating to social problems should be conducted with helps of researchers from other scientific fields. Second, researchers should work cooperatively and having interaction with each other. Third, their research finding should be so integrated that as much as possible a comprehensive and agreeable solution could be advanced. And finally, all above said will be achieved through interdisciplinary research.
In this paper, based on validated scientific texts, authors have tried to provide a comprehensive look at the nature of interdisciplinary research in higher education. The basic subjects offered are: development of the ways of conducting academic research, moving of academic research to interdisciplinarity, consideration of academic disciplines for understanding interdisciplinary research, considering the nature of interdisciplinary research, early and late interdisciplinarity, and the motives of reflection of interdisciplinarity in policy making.
 

Abstract Ever increasing focus on interdisciplinary curricula in higher education is a sign of existing challenges which seriously criticize subject-oriented curricula. Globalization is the major player of this challenging field. Globalization has implications to the curriculum filed-except the paper's view- which the implications come from students accelerating and increasing access to academic documents through ICTs. Alongside being the world work market and new jobs and 
careers, taking new responsibilities, students call for new competencies to play their own roles as global, national and local citizens. Traditional curricula do not provide such opportunities. In line with this view, internationalization of higher education as a process is a strategy to reaction against the challenges which have rooted from globalization. This strategy is suggested and preferred by higher education experts and some world class and progressive universities.
This paper will briefly review the concept of globalization and internalization through its characteristics, and also will focus on globalizing and internationalizing of higher education curricula. Major part of the paper will stress on evidences and reasons for moving toward globalizing of higher education curricula on basis of global infrastructures and perspectives. Finally, the idea is that global citizenship competency-oriented curricula in higher education will respond to competencies of today world phenomenon and the rapid changes of the world.

Abstract Review and study how and type of planning system of higher education, is considered constant and serious. According to the needs and circumstances ,a variety of ideas, over time, have raised. In this article ,interdisciplinary approach including it's concepts, applications, conditions ,requirements and challenges by using of theoretical and analytic method has been studied. Results have indicated that the wide range of conceptual approaches, multiple levels and requirements .Despite of being numerous problems and complexity, it could be used in higher education ,an one effective approach , among or beside others, to address the new requirements and needs.

Abstract The present article endeavours to examine, through a descriptive and
analytical methodology, the approach taken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), regarding interdisciplinary studies in the field of Higher Education. The research
explains the programmes and policies of this organization in the area of Higher Education and discusses the process of the evolution of interdisciplinary towards transdisciplinarity in the surveys and researches conducted by the organization. After reflecting on the reasons for its tendency towards transdisciplinary studies, the research analyses the criteria of the passage from structural interdisciplinarity to behavioural transdisciplinarity.
The article concludes that OECD has adopted the passage from structural interdisciplinarity towards behavioural transdisciplinarity as a basis for policymaking and educational and research orientation in the field of Higher Education. This approach tends to promote the capabilities, innovations, skills and creativity of students and to increase their objective understanding of social and professional conditions and necessities, so that the context for their successful and constructive presence in technical markets, as well as their effective responsiveness to the needs of their society, is provided for