An academic discipline, or any other semiotic domain, for that matter, is not primarily content, in the sense of facts and principles. It is rather primarily a lived and historically changing set of distinctive social practices. It is in these practices that 'content' is generated, debated, and transformed via certain distinctive ways of thinking, talking, valuing, acting, and, often, writing and reading.
Interpretation
Academic disciplines are shaped by social practices rather than just facts.
This quote by James Paul Gee emphasizes that academic disciplines are not merely a collection of facts and principles; they are dynamic constructs shaped by social interactions and practices over time. The way knowledge is generated, debated, and transformed is rooted in the unique social contexts and methods that characterize each discipline, including how we think, communicate, and perform within that domain.
In practice
In a lecture about interdisciplinary studies, you might use this quote to highlight the importance of social context in education.
I think I am more determined than ever in my future plans, and I have quite made up my mind that nothing must be suffered to interfere with them. I intend to make such arrangements in town as will secure me a couple of hours daily (with very few exceptions) for my studies.
All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.
Hypotheses are lullabies for teachers to sing their students to sleep.
They call it coaching but it is teaching. You do not just tell them...you show them the reasons.
The road to freedom, here and everywhere, begins in the classroom.
The mission that unites all of the programs of the Teach For All global network is that of cultivating the leadership capacity critical to ultimately ensuring educational opportunity for all.
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