Benson and Newell - Critique

Which of Benson's arguments was most convincing? Why? Benson's 4th argument ("Interdisciplinary courses are shallow") has some merit albeit he cheapens it by dipping too deeply into his love of exaggeration. Probably the 2nd objection Benson presents has the most value because students who would probably receive the most benefits from interdisciplinary studies are those students who are high achievers already. Clearly Benson is on the right track when he asserts that a student needs to have a "firm hold" on one particular discipline before he or she can enjoy and profit from an interdisciplinary course. Much of the potential success for a student taking interdisciplinary classes depends of course on the academic skills and scholarly experience of the student (freshmen are often too green and undisciplined to expect them to excel in a course well outside their chosen major). But on the other hand,...
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