Interdisciplinary Topics in Extended Essays. Ideas for IB Students

Students frequently want to stand out on the IB Extended Essay, and one of the best ways to do that is by selecting interdisciplinary EE topics. In my experience as an experienced IB writer, these cross-disciplinary topics allow for original, creative ideas that can make your essay captivating and memorable. Combining two disciplines, in my opinion, creates many opportunities for creative thinking.

To make your essay writing more manageable, I’ll walk you through choosing and organizing interdisciplinary EE topics here.

How Does Interdisciplinary EE Differs From Other Extended Essays?

I’ve seen that interdisciplinary Extended Essays add something new to the traditional IB EE. Unlike other papers that usually only research one topic, interdisciplinary EEs combine two fields of study to give the analysis more depth and make it more unique. The IB Extended Essay cross-discipline method also involves making connections and formulating an argument that fits two areas.

One big difference is that interdisciplinary EEs require students to see things from two different points of view. For example, if you want to write about environmental science and economics, you’ll need to research both areas and understand how each view adds to the main question.

This method makes the planning and research stages more difficult, but the result is usually much more interesting for both the writer and the reader. So, here’s how interdisciplinary EEs differ from single-subject papers:

• Topic difficulty. Interdisciplinary essays have to deal with two different topics, which makes the analysis more complex.
• Research methods. You will need to examine sources from both fields to obtain a range of different points of view and approaches.
• Analytical depth. You need to be able to combine ideas from different areas more deeply in these essays so that they make sense as a whole.
• Structure and cohesion. To organize an interdisciplinary essay, you must carefully structure your argument so that both topics are fairly covered.

I believe that interdisciplinary Extended Essays push students to think in a bigger picture and get out of their comfort zones. From critical analysis to synthesis, the skills you learn are beneficial, especially if you want to work as a teacher or make your college application stand out.

Interdisciplinary EE Topic Ideas for IB Students

These cross-disciplinary Extended Essay topics let you research actual problems and get good grades for your work.

History and Literature

The connection between literature and history provides intriguing insights into how historical events influence literary works and conversely.

1. The Influence of World War I on Modernist Literature.
2. How Renaissance Art Reflects and Shapes Cultural Narratives in Literature.
3. Political Propaganda in Literature During the Cold War.
4. Women’s Roles in Victorian Literature and Society.
5. Depictions of Colonialism in 19th Century British Literature.
6. The Role of Satire in Revolutionary France and British Literature.
7. How Historical Events Shaped Shakespeare’s Plays.
8. Representations of the American Dream in the 20th Century.
9. The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Romantic Poetry.
10. How the Harlem Renaissance Shaped African American Identity in Literature.

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Literature and Psychology

By studying books through the lens of psychology, students can learn about the characters’ drives, growth, and inner workings. They can also examine how writers use psychological ideas to shape emotional resonance.

11. The Psychological Impact of Trauma in Post-War Literature.
12. How Depression is Depicted in 20th-Century American Novels.
13. The Role of Childhood Experiences in Character Development in Classic Literature.
14. Psychological Realism in the Works of Virginia Woolf.
15. The Influence of Freud’s Theories on Character Archetypes in Gothic Literature.
16. Examining Narcissism in Shakespeare’s Villains.
17. The Representation of Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in Modern Fiction.
18. Cognitive Dissonance in Dystopian Literature: A Psychological Analysis.
19. The Psychological Path of Self-Finding in Coming-of-Age Novels.

Psychology and Biology

If a student is interested in the sciences, mixing psychology and biology can give perspectives about how biological processes affect mental, social, and behavioral health.

20. The Biological and Psychological Effects of Chronic Stress.
21. How Genetic Predispositions Influence Personality Traits.
22. The Role of Hormones in Aggressive Behavior.
23. Neuroplasticity: How Environmental Factors Affect Brain Development.
24. The Influence of Nutrition on Cognitive Development.
25. Biological Factors in Anxiety Disorders.
26. The Brain’s Response to Music and Its Psychological Impact.
27. The Role of Dopamine in Addiction: A Biological and Psychological Perspective.
28. The Influence of Sleep on Memory Retention.
29. How Trauma Affects Both Brain Structure and Emotional Wellbeing.

Environmental Science and Economics

Students studying environmental science and economics can examine problems like sustainability, resource management, and how environmental laws affect the economy.

30. The Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture.
31. Evaluating the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Renewable Energy Sources.
32. The Role of Carbon Taxes in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
33. Economic Consequences of Water Scarcity in Urban Areas.
34. The Influence of Environmental Policies on Corporate Financial Performance.
35. Sustainable Tourism: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation.
36. The Impact of Plastic Waste on Oceanic Economies.
37. Economic Incentives for Recycling Programs in Urban Centers.
38. How Environmental Regulations Affect Small Businesses.

Technology and Ethics

Students may investigate how technological developments affect society by examining the advantages and moral dilemmas at the nexus of technology and ethics.

39. Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
40. Privacy Concerns in Social Media: Balancing Connectivity and Personal Rights.
41. Autonomous Vehicles: The Ethical Dilemmas of Programming Safety.
42. The Role of Technology in Surveillance and Individual Privacy.
43. How Cybersecurity Measures Impact Personal Freedoms.
44. The Moral Implications of AI in Employment and Job Replacement.
45. Ethical Concerns in Biometric Data Collection.
46. The Use of Big Data in Predictive Policing: An Ethical Analysis.
47. The Responsibility of Tech Companies in Managing Hate Speech Online.

Art and Social Studies

When students study art and social studies together, they can examine how artistic expression shows and changes social trends, identities, and values. This category promotes using visual or performance art to analyze cultural significance.

48. How Street Art Reflects Political Change and Social Movements.
49. The Influence of Feminism on Modern Art.
50. Depictions of Social Class in 19th-Century European Art.
51. Researching National Identity Through Indigenous Art Forms.
52. How Propaganda Art Influenced Public Opinion in Wartime.
53. How the Harlem Renaissance Shaped Racial Identity in the U.S.
54. Depictions of Wealth and Power in Baroque Art.
55. Political Themes in Modern Digital Art and Graphic Design.
56. How Art Therapy Supports Mental Health Awareness in Society.

Economics and Geography

The fusion of IB economics and geography allows students to explore how economic activities are influenced by and impact geographical factors. This interdisciplinary approach helps in understanding global economic patterns and local impacts.

57. The Influence of Geographic Location on Emerging Economies.
58. How Natural Resources Shape Regional Economic Policies.
59. The Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Economics.
60. Economic Geography of Renewable Energy Distribution.
61. The Role of Geography in Global Trade Patterns.
62. Urbanization and Its Economic Impact on Rural Outmigration.
63. The Economics of Land Use in Agricultural Development.
64. Geographic Determinants of Industrial Localization.
65. The Effect of Coastal Erosion on Local Economies.

When You Should Consider Cross-Discipline EE Topics?

Students frequently debate whether to focus on a single discipline or take a more general approach to writing an Extended Essay. In my opinion, cross-discipline EE topics are great for students who want to find connections between different areas of study, but not everyone can use them.

Before committing to an interdisciplinary topic, I think it’s important to consider your goals, strengths, and interests.

When You Have Strong Interests in Multiple Subjects

If you’re interested in more than one IB subject, an interdisciplinary EE topic can allow you to work on both.

For example, a student interested in literature and psychology might look into how psychological theories affect characters’ growth and change in books. This method lets you meet your interest in different fields while writing an original Extended Essay.

When You Enjoy Complex Analysis and Synthesis

Topics that span multiple fields require more complex thought. A cross-discipline EE will probably work for you if you like to think about things in new ways and make connections between different ideas.

You have to combine ideas from both subjects to get a fuller, more complex picture. This kind of work is not easy, but the result can be very satisfying.

When You’re Looking to Stand Out in University Applications

From what I’ve seen, essays that cover more than one subject area often make a high mark on college application boards. They show that you can think outside the box and deal with complicated ideas, skills highly valued in college.

A well-written interdisciplinary EE shows that you aren’t afraid to take on complex topics, which can give you a significant edge when applying to competitive programs.

When You Have Access to Resources in Both Disciplines

You must have enough good resources in both fields to do cross-discipline EE well. Finding reliable sources and getting help from knowledgeable teachers makes working on a topic that crosses multiple fields easier.

In my opinion, this is important for an easy study process because it ensures you have the help you need to examine both points of view thoroughly.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, picking interdisciplinary EE topics allows you to research two subjects and find meaningful connections. Moreover, the multidisciplinary approach makes your EE unique and helps you learn many valuable skills that will help you in college.

So, don’t miss this chance to be creative, think critically, and enjoy the process of making connections between different fields. If you pick a cross-discipline EE topic but need help writing it, just hit up our pros at IBWritingService.com.