Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Explaining and classifying the discourse of contemporization in interdisciplinary theoretical studies

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Nasrin Saljoughi 1
Hassan Rezaei 2
Hero Farkisch 2

1 PhD Student, Department of Architecture, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2026.5418.5077
Abstract
In interdisciplinary studies focused on contemporization, a comprehensive model that accounts for all its existential dimensions is still lacking. Accordingly, this article aims to explain and classify the discourse of contemporization within interdisciplinary theoretical studies, assess the capacities (strengths and weaknesses) of various academic disciplines in understanding and adapting to the process of contemporization, and examine the impact of integrating different fields of knowledge—through an interdisciplinary approach—on enhancing the understanding of contemporization.This study employs content analysis using an inductive reasoning approach, combined with a systematic literature review. A quantitative–qualitative content analysis was conducted on Persian-language sources related to contemporization. Based on frequency, the reviewed studies are categorized into four domains: architecture and urban planning, art, religion, and literature. Each domain contains subcategories that are thematically aligned with the main research topic. Among these domains, architecture and urban planning—having the highest number of core topics—has played a pioneering role in this field. Another major contribution of this study is the presentation of a model for the discourse of contemporization.The findings indicate that contemporization is an uneven process, as the pace at which different fields of knowledge adapt to contemporary developments varies, leading to asynchronicity and, consequently, incompatibility. Although individual disciplines demonstrate limited capacity for comprehensively understanding the process of contemporization on their own, interdisciplinary interaction at three levels—fundamental, methodological, and applied—enhances the overall capacity of the system. The four scientific domains can contribute to the process of contemporization in two fundamental ways: first, by redefining the dialectical relationship between tradition and modernity within their specialized fields; and second, by acting as cultural translators that render abstract concepts of modernity into a language accessible to society.

Keywords

theoretical studies of Iran
contemporizing
interdisciplinary
Subjects
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Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities
Volume 18, Issue 2 - Serial Number 70
Evolutions in Interdisciplinary knowledge
Spring 2026
Pages 63-104

  • Receive Date 10 December 2025
  • Revise Date 11 February 2026
  • Accept Date 01 March 2026

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