Wissensfelder

Wissensfelder is a German term used to describe distinct domains or areas of knowledge. The word combines Wissens (knowledge) and Felder (fields), and is commonly employed in educational theory, information science, and knowledge management to organize content and competencies into manageable categories.

In educational settings, Wissensfelder function as organizing principles for curricula and learning objectives. They help educators map what students should know and be able to do within each domain, and they support the design of assessments, instructional materials, and competency frameworks. In knowledge management, the concept is used to categorize organizational know-how and expertise, enabling more efficient retrieval, sharing, and preservation of knowledge across departments or projects.

Typical Wissensfelder span broad subject areas, such as natural sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, language and literature, arts, and culture. Interdisciplinary or cross-cutting Wissensfelder—often labeled as interdisciplinary studies or applied fields—combine elements from multiple domains to address complex problems.

The boundaries between Wissensfelder are not fixed. Classifications vary by country, institution, and disciplinary tradition, and they evolve with new disciplines, technologies, and methods. Digitalization and knowledge graphs have strengthened the ability to link Wissensfelder, revealing overlaps and dependencies that support integrative learning and collaborative work.

See also: Fachgebiet, Wissensdomäne, Taxonomy, Ontology.