Interdisciplinary?

A topic is interdisciplinary only when it cannot be answered adequately through a single IB subject. Both subjects must contribute essential and distinct ways of analysing the question, and the essay must present one integrated line of argument, not two parallel studies.

1. Can one subject answer this alone?

If either subject could answer the question independently, the topic is not interdisciplinary.

2. Do the subjects offer distinct contributions?

You must be able to explain:

• what Subject A helps you understand

• what Subject B helps you understand

• why both are needed together

If one subject only provides background or context, the pairing is unsuitable.

3. Will the essay be integrated?

Interdisciplinary essays show the two subjects working together.

If your structure would separate the subjects into different sections, the topic is not appropriate.

4. Does the topic fit one of the five frameworks?

Every interdisciplinary essay must align with at least one framework:

• Power, equality, justice

• Culture, identity, expression

• Movement, time, space

• Evidence, measurement, innovation

• Sustainability, development, change

If the topic does not fit a framework, it is unlikely to be interdisciplinary.

5. Is the topic feasible across two subjects?

You must be able to access suitable sources, apply appropriate methods from both subjects and stay within four thousand words.

If one discipline would require knowledge or methods you cannot reasonably use, the topic is not feasible.

6. Three sentence test

If you can complete these clearly, your topic is likely suitable:

1. Subject A is essential because…

2. Subject B is essential because…

3. The two must be used together because…

7. Warning signs of a weak topic

A topic is likely unsuitable if:

• one subject feels added on

• the subjects use incompatible methods

• the question becomes too broad

• the argument keeps drifting into one discipline

• you are adding a second subject only to make the topic “sound” interdisciplinary