An academic discipline, or field of study, is a branch of knowledge which is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines are defined (in part), and recognized by the academic journals in which research is published, and the learned societies and academic departments or faculties to which their practitioners belong.

Fields of study usually have several sub-disciplines or branches, and the distinguishing lines between these are often both arbitrary and ambiguous.^{[citation needed]}

Overview

The University of Paris in 1231 consisted of four faculties: Theology, Medicine, Canon Law and Arts.^[1] Most academic disciplines have their roots in the mid- to late-19th century secularization of universities, when the traditional curricula were supplemented with non-classical languages and literatures, social sciences such as political science, economics and public administration, and natural science and technology disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

In the early 20th century, new disciplines such as education, sociology, and psychology were added. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was an explosion of new disciplines focusing on specific themes, such as media studies, women's studies, and black studies. Many disciplines designed as preparation for careers and professions, such as nursing, hospitality management, and corrections, also emerged in the universities. Finally, interdisciplinary scientific fields such as biochemistry and geophysics gained prominence as their contribution to knowledge became widely recognized.

New fields of study are often created through extending the ideas, theories, and methods of more traditional disciplines. For example, Freud created a sub-field of psychology with his new perspective of psychoanalysis.

There is no consensus on how some academic disciplines should be classified, e.g., whether anthropology and linguistics are social sciences disciplines or humanities disciplines. More generally, the proper criteria for organizing knowledge into disciplines are also open to debate.

An asterisk (*) denotes a field whose academic status is debated.^[who?]

Humanities

History

• African history
• American history
• Ancient history
• Argentine history
• Iranian History
• Indian History
• Chinese history
• Diplomatic history
• Ethnohistory
• European history
• History of science and technology
• Military history
• Modern history
• Intellectual history
• Cultural history
• Economic history
• World history

See also Branches of history

Languages and linguistics

Applied Linguistics Computational linguistics / Natural language processing Discourse analysis Etymology Historical linguistics History of linguistics Interlinguistics Morphology

Philology Phonetics Phonology Pragmatics Semantics Semiotics Sociolinguistics Syntax

Composition studies Rhetoric Languages Classics Standard English Business English World Englishes Modern language

See also List of languages, Branches of linguistics, Anthropological linguistics

Literature

English literature American literature African American literature Jewish American literature Southern literature Argentine literature Australian literature British literature English literature Scottish literature Welsh literature Canadian literature Indian literature Irish literature New Zealand literature Nigerian literature Medieval literature Post-colonial literature Post-modern literature West Indian literature

World literatures Arabic literature Bulgarian literature Classics Comparative literature Chinese literature French literature Gaelic literature German literature and Austrian literature Hindi literature Hebrew literature Japanese literature Italian literature Latin American literature Persian literature Portuguese and Brazilian literature Russian literature Serbian literature Spanish literature Yiddish literature Tamil literature Welsh Literature

Literary theory Critical theory Literary criticism Poetics Rhetoric Creative writing Creative nonfiction Fiction writing Non-fiction writing Literary journalism Poetry composition Screenwriting Playwrighting

Performing arts

Arts administration Music Accompanying Chamber music Church music Musical composition Conducting Choral conducting Orchestral conducting Wind ensemble conducting Early music Jazz studies Music education Music history Music theory Musicology Ethnomusicology

Performance and literature Organ and historical keyboards Piano Strings, harp, and guitar Voice (Singing) Woodwinds, brass, and percussion Recording Orchestral studies Dance Choreography Dance notation Ethnochoreology History of dance

Theatre History Acting Directing Design Dramaturgy Playwrighting Scenography Musical theatre Film Animation Film Film criticism Film theory

Philosophy

Meta-philosophy Metaphysics Ontology Teleology Philosophy of mind Philosophy of artificial intelligence Philosophy of perception Philosophy of space and time Philosophy of Action Epistemology Ethics Normative ethics Meta-ethics Theory of value Moral psychology Applied Ethics Animal rights Bioethics Environmental ethics

Aesthetics/Philosophy of Art Social philosophy and political philosophy Feminist philosophy Anarchism Marxism Philosophical traditions and schools African philosophy Aristotelianism Analytic philosophy Continental philosophy Eastern philosophy Feminist philosophy History of philosophy Ancient philosophy Medieval philosophy Modern philosophy Contemporary philosophy Logic Philosophical logic Mathematical logic

Applied philosophy Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science Philosophy of education Philosophy of history Philosophy of religion Philosophy of language Philosophy of law Philosophy of mathematics Philosophy of music Philosophy of science Philosophy of social science Philosophy of Physics Philosophy of Biology Philosophy of Chemistry Philosophy of economics Philosophy of Psychology Philosophy of engineering Systems philosophy

See also Branches of philosophy

Religion

Abrahamic religions Christianity Christian Theology Bibliology Hermeneutics Theology Proper Christology Pneumatology Theological anthropology Soteriology Nomology Ecclesiology Eschatology

Islam / Islamic studies Judaism / Jewish studies Indian religions Buddhism Hinduism Jainism Sikhism Taoic religions Chinese folk religion Confucianism Shinto Taoism

Other religions African religions Ancient Egyptian religion Native American religions Gnosticism Esotericism New religious movements Sumerian religion Zoroastrianism Atheism and Humanism Comparative religion Mythology and Folklore

See also List of religions

Visual arts

Art history Calligraphy Connoisseurship Creative arts Drawing

Fine arts Painting Photography Mixed Media

Printmaking Studio art Sculpture Art conservation

Social sciences

Anthropology

Biological anthropology Forensic anthropology Gene-culture coevolution Human behavioral ecology Human evolution Medical anthropology Paleoanthropology Population genetics Primatology Anthropological linguistics Synchronic linguistics (or Descriptive linguistics) Diachronic linguistics (or Historical linguistics)

Ethnolinguistics Sociolinguistics Cultural anthropology Anthropology of religion Economic anthropology Ethnography

Ethnohistory Ethnology Ethnomusicology Folklore Mythology Political anthropology Psychological anthropology

See also Branches of anthropology

Archaeology

Classical archaeology Egyptology

Experimental archaeology Maritime archaeology

Near Eastern archaeology Paleoanthropology Prehistoric archaeology

See also Branches of archaeology

Area studies

American studies Appalachian studies African studies Asian studies Canadian studies

Celtic studies European studies German studies Indology (Indian studies) Iranian studies

Japanology (Japanese studies) Latin American studies Sinology (Chinese studies) Scandinavian studies Slavic studies

See also Branches of area studies

Cultural studies and ethnic studies

Asian studies Asian American studies Black studies or African American studies

Chicano studies Childhood studies Latino studies

Native American studies Persian studies

Economics

Agricultural economics Behavioural economics Bioeconomics Computational economics Consumer economics Development economics Ecological economics Econometrics Economic geography Economic history Economic sociology Economic systems Energy economics Entrepreneurial economics Environmental economics

Evolutionary economics Experimental economics Feminist economics Financial economics Game theory Green economics Growth economics Human development theory Industrial organization Information economics Institutional economics International economics Islamic economics Labor economics Law and economics

Macroeconomics Managerial economics Mathematical economics Microeconomics Monetary economics Neuroeconomics Political economy Public finance Public economics Real estate economics Resource economics Socialist economics Socioeconomics Transport economics Welfare economics

Gender and sexuality studies

Feminine psychology Gender studies/Gender theory Heterosexism Human sexual behavior

Human sexuality Masculine psychology Men's studies

Queer studies/Queer theory Sex education Sexology Women's studies

Geography

Cartography Human geography Cultural geography Feminist geography Economic geography Development geography Historical geography Time geography Political geography & geopolitics Military geography Strategic geography

Population geography Social geography Behavioral geography Children's geographies Health geography Tourism geography Urban geography Environmental geography Physical geography Biogeography Climatology Palaeoclimatology

Coastal geography Geomorphology Geodesy Hydrology/Hydrography Glaciology Limnology Oceanography Landscape ecology Palaeogeography Regional geography

See also Branches of geography

Political science

American politics Canadian politics Civics Comparative politics Geopolitics (Political geography) International relations International organizations

Peace and conflict studies (Science of Peace (Irenology)) Policy studies Political behavior Political culture Political economy Political history

Political philosophy Psephology Public administration Nonprofit administration Non-governmental organization (NGO) administration Public policy

See also Branches of political science

Psychology

Abnormal psychology Applied psychology Behavioural science Biological psychology Clinical psychology Psychological assessment Psychotherapy Brief psychotherapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Family therapy Gestalt therapy Group therapy Play therapy Psychodrama

Cognitive psychology Cognitive science Community psychology Differential psychology Developmental psychology Educational psychology Emotion Evolutionary psychology Evolutionary developmental psychology Evolutionary educational psychology Experimental psychology Forensic psychology Health psychology Intrapersonal communications

Legal psychology (Psychology & Law) Medical psychology Neuropsychology Organizational psychology Parapsychology Personality psychology Positive psychology Psychoanalysis Psychometrics Psychophysics Quantitative psychology Social psychology Sport psychology Media psychology

See also Branches of psychology, Types of psychotherapy

Sociology

Applied sociology Political sociology Public sociology Social engineering Leisure studies Collective behavior Social movements Community informatics Social network analysis Comparative sociology Conflict theory Cultural studies Criminology/Criminal justice Demography/Population Environmental sociology Feminist sociology Future studies Human ecology Interactionism Phenomenology

Ethnomethodology Symbolic interactionism Social constructionism Medical sociology Military sociology Organizational studies Science studies/Science and technology studies Sexology Social capital Social control Pure sociology Social economy Social philosophy Social psychology Social policy Social research Computational sociology Economic sociology/Socioeconomics Economic development Social development

Sociology of culture Sociology of deviance Sociology of education Sociology of gender Sociology of the family Sociology of knowledge Sociology of law Sociology of religion Sociology of sport Sociology of work Social theory Social stratification Sociological theory Sociobiology Sociocybernetics Sociolinguistics Urban studies or Urban sociology/Rural sociology Visual sociology

See also Branches of sociology

Natural sciences

Space sciences

Astrobiology Astronomy Observational astronomy Gamma ray astronomy Infrared astronomy Microwave astronomy Optical astronomy Radio astronomy UV astronomy X-ray astronomy

Astrophysics Gravitational astronomy Black holes Interstellar medium Numerical simulations in Astrophysical plasma Galaxy formation and evolution High-energy astrophysics Hydrodynamics Magnetohydrodynamics Star formation

Physical cosmology Stellar astrophysics Helioseismology Stellar evolution Stellar nucleosynthesis

See also Branches of astronomy

Earth sciences

Edaphology Environmental science Environmental chemistry Gemology Geodesy Geography Geology Geochemistry

Geomorphology Geophysics Glaciology Hydrogeology Hydrology Meteorology Mineralogy

Oceanography Pedology Paleontology Paleobiology Planetary science Sedimentology Soil science Speleology Tectonics

See also Branches of earth sciences

Life sciences

Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Aerobiology Anatomy Comparative anatomy Human anatomy Botany Ethnobotany Phycology Cell biology Chronobiology Cryobiology Developmental biology Embryology Ecology Human ecology Landscape ecology

Genetics Behavioural genetics Endocrinology Evolutionary biology Human biology Marine biology Microbiology Molecular biology Nutrition Neuroscience Behavioral neuroscience Paleobiology Paleontology Virology Molecular virology Xenobiology Zoology Animal communications Cryptozoology

Entomology Ethology Herpetology Ichthyology Oology Ornithology Primatology Zootomy Biophysics Limnology Linnaean taxonomy Mycology Parasitology Pathology Physiology Human physiology Exercise physiology Systematics (Taxonomy) Teratology

See also Branches of life sciences

Chemistry

• Analytical chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Cheminformatics
• Computational chemistry
• Materials science
• Mathematical chemistry
• Quantum chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physical chemistry
• Theoretical chemistry
• Interface and colloid science

See also Branches of chemistry

Physics

Acoustics Astrophysics Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Biophysics Theoretical physics Computational physics Condensed matter physics Cryogenics

Electromagnetism Elementary particle physics Fluid dynamics Geophysics Mathematical physics Medical physics Materials science Mechanics Molecular physics

Nuclear physics Newtonian dynamics Optics Plasma physics Quantum physics Solid state physics Solid mechanics Statistical mechanics Vehicle dynamics Thermodynamics Applied Physics

See also Branches of physics

Formal sciences

Computer sciences

Theory of computation Automata theory (Formal languages) Computability theory Computational complexity theory Concurrency theory Algorithms Randomized algorithms Distributed algorithms Parallel algorithms Data structures Computer architecture VLSI design Operating systems Computer communications (networks) Information theory Internet, World wide web Wireless computing (Mobile computing) Ubiquitous computing Cloud computing Computer security and reliability Cryptography Fault-tolerant computing Distributed computing Grid computing Parallel computing High-performance computing Quantum computing Computer graphics Image processing Scientific visualization Computational geometry Software engineering Formal methods (Formal verification)

Programming languages Programming paradigms Object-oriented programming Functional programming Concurrent programming Program semantics Type theory Compilers Information science Data management Data mining Database Relational database Distributed database Object database Information retrieval Information management Knowledge management Multimedia, hypermedia Artificial intelligence Cognitive science Automated reasoning Machine learning Artificial neural network Support vector machine Natural language processing (Computational linguistics) Computer vision Expert systems Robotics Information systems (Business informatics) Information technology Management information systems Health informatics

Human-computer interaction Computing in Mathematics, Natural sciences, Engineering and Medicine Numerical analysis Algebraic (symbolic) computation Computational number theory Computational mathematics Scientific computing (Computational science) Computational biology (bioinformatics) Computational physics Computational chemistry Computational neuroscience Computer-aided engineering Finite element analysis Computational fluid dynamics Computing in Social sciences, Arts and Humanities, Professions Computational economics Computational sociology Computational finance The Digital Humanities (Humanities computing) Computer and society History of computer hardware History of computer science Humanistic informatics Community informatics

See also Branches of computer science and ACM Computing Classification System

Logic

Mathematical logic Set theory Proof theory Model theory Recursion theory Modal logic Intuitionistic logic

Philosophical Logic Modal logic Deontic logic Doxastic logic Logical reasoning

Logic in computer science Programming language semantics Formal methods (Formal verification) Type theory Logic programming Multi-valued logic Fuzzy logic

Mathematics

Algebra Group theory Group representation Ring theory Field theory Linear algebra (Vector space) Multilinear algebra Lie algebra Associative algebra Non-associative algebra Universal algebra Homological algebra Differential algebra Lattice theory (Order theory) Representation theory K-theory Category theory Topos theory Analysis Real analysis Calculus Complex analysis Functional analysis Operator theory Non-standard analysis Harmonic analysis Fourier analysis p-adic analysis Ordinary differential equations Partial differential equations

Probability theory Measure theory Ergodic theory Stochastic process Geometry and Topology General topology Algebraic topology Geometric topology Differential topology Algebraic geometry Differential geometry Projective geometry Affine geometry Non-Euclidean geometry Convex geometry Discrete geometry Number theory Analytic number theory Algebraic number theory Geometric number theory Logic and Foundations of mathematics Set theory Proof theory Model theory Recursion theory Modal logic Intuitionistic logic

Applied mathematics Statistics Mathematical statistics Econometrics Actuarial science Demography Approximation theory Numerical analysis Operations research Optimization (Mathematical programming) Linear programming Dynamic programming Assignment problem Decision analysis Inventory theory scheduling Real options analysis Systems analysis Stochastic processes Optimal maintenance Dynamical systems Chaos theory Fractal geometry Mathematical physics Quantum mechanics Quantum field theory Quantum gravity String theory Statistical mechanics Theory of computation Computational complexity theory Information theory Cryptography Combinatorics Coding theory Graph theory Game theory

See also Branches of mathematics and AMS Mathematics Subject Classification

Statistics

Computational statistics Data mining Regression Simulation Bootstrap (statistics) Design of experiments Block design and Analysis of variance Response surface methodology

Statistical modelling Biostatistics Epidemiology Multivariate analysis Structural equation model Time series Reliability theory Quality control

Statistical theory Decision theory Mathematical statistics Probability Sample Survey Sampling theory Survey methodology

Systems science

Complex systems Cybernetics Control theory Control engineering Control systems Dynamical systems

Operations research Systems dynamics

Systems engineering Systems analysis Systems theory Developmental systems theory General systems theory Mathematical system theory

Professions and Applied sciences

Agriculture

Agroecology Agronomy Animal husbandry (Animal science) Beekeeping (Apiculture) Agrology Entomology

Agricultural economics Agricultural engineering Biological systems engineering Food engineering Aquaculture Enology

Food science Horticulture Hydrology Plant science Pomology Viticulture

Architecture and design

Architecture and related design Architecture Urban planning (urban design) Interior design (interior architecture) Landscape architecture (landscape planning)

Historic preservation Industrial design (product design) Ergonomics Game design* Toy and amusement design* Fashion design Textile design

Visual communication Graphic design Type design User interface design Technical drawing

Business

Accounting scholarship Business administration Business analysis Business ethics E-Business Entrepreneurship Finance

Industrial and labor relations Collective bargaining Human resources Organizational studies Labor economics Labor history

Information systems Business Law International Trade Marketing Risk management and insurance Systems science Purchasing

Divinity

Canon law Church history Field ministry Pastoral counseling Pastoral theology Religious education techniques

Homiletics Liturgy Sacred music Scriptural study and languages Biblical Hebrew Biblical studies/Sacred Scripture New Testament Greek

Latin Old Church Slavonic Theology Dogmatic theology Ecclesiology Sacramental theology Systematic theology

Education

Consumer education Critical pedagogy Curriculum and instruction Elementary education (Primary education and Intermediate education) Secondary education Higher education Mastery learning Cooperative learning Agricultural education Art education

Bilingual education Chemistry education Counselor education Language education Legal education Mathematics education Medical education Military education and training Music education Nursing education Peace education Physical education/ Coaching Education (sport) / Sports coaching

Physics education Reading education Religious education Science education Special education Sex education Sociology of education Technology education Vocational education Educational leadership Educational philosophy Educational psychology Educational technology Distance Education

Engineering

Aerospace engineering Agricultural engineering Food engineering Architectural engineering Bioengineering Biomechanical engineering Biomedical engineering Chemical engineering Civil engineering Geotechnical engineering Earthquake engineering Highway engineering Transportation engineering Computer engineering

Control systems engineering Ecological engineering Electrical engineering Electronic engineering Instrumentation engineering Engineering physics Environmental engineering Industrial engineering Materials engineering Ceramic engineering Metallurgical engineering Polymer engineering Mechanical engineering Manufacturing engineering

Mining engineering Nanoengineering Nuclear engineering Ocean engineering Marine engineering Naval architecture Optical engineering Quality assurance engineering Petroleum engineering Safety engineering Software engineering Structural engineering Systems engineering Telecommunications engineering Vehicle engineering Automotive engineering

See also Branches of engineering

Environmental studies and Forestry

Environmental management Coastal management Fisheries management

Land management Natural resource management Wildlife management Environmental policy

Recreation ecology Silviculture Sustainable development Toxicology

Family and consumer science

Consumer education Housing*

Interior design Nutrition

Foodservice management* Textiles*

Health sciences

Alternative medicine Acupuncture Clinical laboratory sciences Clinical biochemistry Cytogenetics Cytohematology Cytology Haemostasiology Histology Immunology Microbiology Molecular genetics Parasitology Dentistry Dental hygiene and epidemiology Dental surgery Endodontics Orthodontics Oral and maxillofacial surgery Periodontics Prosthodontics Implantology Nursing Nursing theory Midwifery Nutrition and dietetics Optometry Orthoptics Physiotherapy Occupational therapy Speech and language pathology Medicine Anesthesiology Regional anesthesia Pain medicine Preventive medicine Cardiology

Emergency medicine Medical toxicology Endocrinology Diabetology Epidemiology Forensic science Geriatrics Gynaecology Hematology Infectious disease Internal medicine (general medicine) Nephrology Neurology Neurosurgery Obstetrics Oncology Ophthalmology Orthopedic surgery Hand surgery Foot and ankle surgery Sports medicine Joint replacement Shoulder surgery Otolaryngology Pathology

Pediatrics Podiatry Primary care General practice Public health Psychiatry Addiction medicine Radiology Recreation therapy Rehabilitation medicine Respiratory medicine Pulmonology Sleep medicine Rheumatology Sports medicine Surgery Bariatric surgery Cardiothoracic surgery Neurosurgery Plastic surgery Traumatology Urology Andrology Pharmaceutical sciences Pharmacy Behavioral medicine Clinical psychology Health psychology Medical psychology Counseling psychology Veterinary medicine Physical fitness Group Fitness / aerobics Personal fitness training Kinesiology / Exercise Science / Human Performance

See also Branches of medicine

Human physical performance and recreation*

Biomechanics / Sports Biomechanics Coaching Education (sport) / Sports coaching Dance Ergonomics Physical fitness Group Fitness / aerobics Personal trainer / Personal fitness training Game design*

Exercise physiology Kinesiology / Exercise Science / Human Performance Leisure studies Physical education / Pedagogy Sociology of sport

Sexology Sports journalism / sportscasting Sport management Athletic director Sport psychology Sports medicine Athletic training Toy and amusement design*

Journalism, mass media and communication

Journalism Broadcast journalism Literary journalism New media journalism Print journalism Sports journalism / sportscasting Media studies (Mass media) Newspaper Magazine

Radio Television Television studies* Internet Communication Animal communications Information theory Intercultural communication Advertising

Communication design Marketing Mass communication Translation Propaganda Public relations Technical writing Nonverbal communications Speech communications

Law

Canon law Comparative law Constitutional law Civil law Admiralty law Animal law/Animal rights Corporations Civil procedure Contracts

Environmental law International law Labor law Paralegal studies Property law Tax law Torts Criminal law Criminal procedure

Criminal justice Police science Forensics Islamic law Jewish law Jurisprudence (Philosophy of Law)

Library and museum studies

Archival science Bibliometrics Citation analysis

Informatics Information architecture

Museology Museum administration

Military sciences

Amphibious warfare Artillery Campaigning Military engineering Doctrine Game theory

Leadership Logistics Military history Military intelligence Military law Military medicine

Naval science Naval engineering Naval tactics Naval architecture Weapons systems Strategy Tactics Naval tactics

Public affairs

Corrections Conservation biology Criminal justice Emergency management Fire safety (Structural fire protection) Fire ecology (Wildland fire management) Governmental affairs International affairs

Official statistics Peace and conflict studies Police science Public administration Nonprofit administration Non-governmental organization (NGO) administration

Public policy Education policy Environmental policy Fiscal policy Health policy Trade policy

Social work

Child welfare Community practice Community organizing Social policy

Corrections

Gerontology Medical social work Mental health School social work

Transportation

Highway safety Infographics

Intermodal transportation studies Marine transportation Port management

Operations research Mass transit

Notes

1. ^ History of Education, Encyclopædia Britannica (1977, 15th edition), Macropaedia Volume 6, p. 337

See also

• Academia
• Academic genealogy
• Fields of science
• Interdisciplinarity
• Joint Academic Classification of Subjects
• List of education topics
• List of fields of doctoral studies
• List of libraries
• Transdisciplinary studies

External links

• Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2000): Developed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics to provide a taxonomic scheme that will support the accurate tracking, assessment, and reporting of fields of study and program completions activity.
• Complete JACS (Joint Academic Classification of Subjects) from Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in the United Kingdom
• Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC 2008) (web-page) Chapter 3 and Appendix 1: Fields of research classification.

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