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Study Guide

To

ENG307 - Society and the Engineer

Semester 1, 2012/2013

"The ideal engineer is a composite ... He is not a scientist, he is not a mathematician, he is not a sociologist or a writer; but he may use the knowledge and techniques of any or all of these disciplines in solving engineering problems.

- N. W. Dougherty (1955)

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Content

Section Page 1. Why is this subject important to you 3 2. Intended learning outcomes 4 3. How to achieve the intended learning outcomes? 4 4. How is the subject assessed? 6 5. Reading list: 6 6. General topics 7 Appendices A. How to select engineering project case? 10 B. What are the tips for my learning? 11 Feedback Form 12

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What are the responsibilities of professional engineers with regard to the environment? Should environmental degradation not involving dangers to human health be a matter of professional ethics or personal ethics?

1. Why is this subject important to you?

See if you can answer These questions that may confront you as an engineer

Now you should know

All professional engineers are realistic enough to understand that engineering is more than just technical matters. In any authentic engineering operation societal factors are embedded in any engineering project. In your future career as an engineer, ignorance about the human side of engineering and their possible impacts may render your engineering project risky ineffective and even failure.

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2. Intended learning outcomes

This subject helps you to understand the complex relationship between engineering and society. We hope that you can avoid design failure in any engineering project when all factors, including the societal ones, are put into consideration.

By the end of the course, you will be able In academic and professional knowledge 1. To identify the impacts of engineering projects on society; 2. To analyze the different forces that shape and constrain the engineering and engineers

operation including historical, cultural, professional, social, legal, economical, environmental, health and safety etc.;

3. To understand the society challenges of professional practice In abilities 4. To examine and weigh up arguments on either side through critical thinking; 5. To formulate logical arguments and to present them persuasively; In attitude 6. To be sensitive of issues, obligations and responsibilities in engineering; 7. To aware ethical dilemmas in engineering. 3 How to achieve the intended learning outcomes?

This subject is not about simply knowing more knowledge. Listening to lectures is not a good method to develop your genuine understanding of the subject, not to mention building up your skills in awareness, analytical power, critical thinking, reflection, and communication, etc. The following learning methods may help you to achieve the intended learning outcomes. (See Appendix 2 for additional tips on classroom learning)

What will I learn in thi

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Interactive lectures In class, there will be short lectures to provide essential knowledge and information on the relationship between

engineering and the society under a range of dimensions. discussion, case studies, etc. to engage you in in-depth analysis of the relationship

Group project You will form into groups and throughout the semester your group will work on one engineering case by completing the following learning activities: 1. Case analysis

After each class, discuss in your group to analyze your case with reference to the societal dimension discussed in that week.

Summarise the conclusion of your group analysis in bullet points in ONE page. By the end of the semester you will have analyzed the case from different dimensions

including: historical, cultural, professional, social, legal, economical, environmental, health and safety.

2. Presentation

Each group will present on the analysis of your case for 1 dimension weekly. The audience groups will provide critical comments and feedbacks and fill out Feedback

Forms to the presenter group for their reflection.

3. Case portfolio Once you have selected your case, start building a folder with the following items:

Bullet-point Summaries of your analysis of the case for each week Feedback Forms on your presentations Other relevant materials about your case such as journal articles, newspaper cuttings,

photos. etc.

4. Final presentation Based on your analysis, feedback on your dimensional presentation and other materials in

your Case Portfolio, you will prepare an overall presentation to demonstrate the relationship of the engineering project with the society.

You may focus on a few dimensions if you think they are critically important. Equal distribution of each dimension is not necessary in the final presentation.

Individual presentation skills will be measured * See Appendix A for details about choice of the engineering case.

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4. How is the subject assessed?

1. The assessment is designed to measure how well you have achieved the intended learning

outcomes with reference to the academic and professional knowledge, abilities and attitude aspects as outlined in the Section 2.

2. The overall assessment consists of: i) Open-book End of Subject Examination: Individual and written format with 40%

weighting; and ii) Continuous Assessment: Group performance with 60% weighting derived from

the Group weekly learning activities, Final presentation (individual presentation) and Group report and individual reflection report.

3. Each group will need to submit a Portfolio Report (final presentation power point) + Feedback Form (all) + Your weekly reports + Statement of Individual Contribution plus your reflection (1/2 page) after the Final Presentation.

4. The overall assessment will be performed on common basis for all classes. 5 Reading list

References: Alcorn, A., Practical Ethics for a Technological World. Prentice Hall, (current) Fleddermann, C.B. Engineering Ethics. Prentice Hall. (current ed.) Hjorth, L.S., Eichler, B.A., Khan, A.S. and Morello, J.A., Technology and Society - A Bridge to the 21 Century. Prentice Hall, 2003 Johnston, S.F., Gostelow, J.P. and King, W.J., Engineering and Society. Prentice Hall, 2000 Winston, M.E. and Edelbach, R.D. Society and technology. Prentice Hall. (current ed.) Engineering Journals and Web materials such as Current Daily Newspaper and Magazines: Times; Economics; South China Morning Post, web-based material through searching engine like Google etc.

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6 General topics

As per ENG307 Syllabus, the following general topics are listed below: (For weekly schedule, refer to individual teaching plan)

- Introduction of the overall framework and assignment - Eight Dimensions:

(1) Historical dimension of engineering (2) Cultural dimension of engineering (3) Social dimension of engineering (4) Professional dimension of engineering (5) Economical dimension of engineering (6) Legal dimension of engineering (7) Health and Safety dimension of engineering (8) Environmental dimension of engineering

- Invited guest speakers on special topics

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Appendix A

How to select engineer project cases?

You can select engineering cases from a wide range of sources.

1. From local projects. 2. From national projects. 3. From projects in other countries. (For project details, refer to lecture notes)

In whatever the case, you are advised to consult your teacher before you make the final decision on your case selection.

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Appendix B

What are the tips for my learning?

This subject aims to develop your awareness and critical thinking about the relationship between engineering and the society. Therefore the development of critical thinking skills is very important. You may imagine that the classroom has been turned into a court room, and you are one of the solicitors there. Basically what you need to do there is: Speak out, voice your opinion, and construct your arguments. For this, the following tips may help you:

Develop you critical thinking skills: Listen critically:

a. Evaluate what the teachers and the peer said in class and ask yourself whether you agree with their points

b. Support your own judgment: - If you agree, you may add some supporting evidence here. - If you disagree, give reasons/evidence for your point(s).

c. If the point is not clear, ask the speaker to clarify it. Articulate your argument critically:

a. Construct your argument by reasoning or evidence, not just by speculation. Never say I think so because I think so.

b. It is essential for you to do extensive reading. Read the textbooks and other reference materials including those in the Internet in order to widen your horizon.

c. Remember what Plato said: Nothing is certain, nor even that. For every argument, since they are not absolute truth, there must be counter-argument.

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Feedback Form

To: Group Number ( ) Date: _________________ From: Group Number ( ) and Team Members (Only those students who ARE presented at the presentation) : _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Topic _____________________________________________________________________

Points we agree with: (Evidence/experience that supplement or backup the points mentioned):

Points we dont agree: Reasons:

General comments.

Our reflections: