Interdisciplinary Integration for Character Building in Islamic Higher Education

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of interdisciplinary integration in fostering an integrative worldview among students at Alauddin State Islamic University in Makassar. The objective is to analyze the implementation process and identify the obstacles encountered in carrying out this interdisciplinary integration. The research method employed is qualitative descriptive, utilizing primary data from several informants, as well as secondary data from literature related to the research topic. The results indicate that the implementation of interdisciplinary integration—particularly in general study programs—has largely fulfilled the “House of Civilization” integration model grounded in the Qur’an and hadith, which is further expanded through scientific paradigms encompassing interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches. However, this has not been fully achieved due to implementation processes that have not been carried out simultaneously; among other things, partnerships in teaching and the delivery of instructional materials framed with religious content have not been maximized, and students’ research studies still lack depth regarding the relevance of both Islamic teachings and other religious aspects that can build students’ character and interactive perspectives. The implementation of interdisciplinary integration can serve as an effective strategy for building students’ character and fostering an integrative worldview through the synergy between general knowledge and Islamic values.