INTEGRATION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (STS) COURSES INTO THE ENGINEERING CURRICULUM

摘要

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires core classes in the humanities and social sciences for accredited engineering programs. A unique set of course offerings at the University of Colorado Denver speaks to these requirements by addressing race, gender, and cultural differences in the context of societal change, contemporary issues, and technology. Professional engineers are responsible for the design of safe and reliable infrastructure, public health and safety, and the environment. As a result, it is critical that engineering graduates understand the impacts that technology has on individuals, society, and the environment. This paper discusses two Science, Technology, and Society (STS) courses in the area of cultural diversity and international perspectives. This paper briefly overviews science, technology, and society (STS) as an emerging field, describes the content and purpose of the two STS courses at the University of Colorado Denver, discusses the research that has emerged from these courses, explains how the courses have been used to satisfy ABET criteria for accrediting engineering colleges and schools, and considers the effectiveness of these courses in broadening the education of engineers.