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Course Offerings

Course Details

Fall 2009-2010
* CHE 260 / EGR 260 (EM)  

Ethics and Technology: Engineering in the Real World

Jay B. Benziger

The course examines engineering as a profession and professional responsibilities of engineers. Case studies are used to distinguish engineering from science and business, and the ethical responsibilities associated with being a professional. Ethical principles are reviewed to explore how engineers should address technology implementation. Simple quantitative decision making concepts, including risk-benefit analysis and optimization methods are introduced to compare technology options on a quantitative basis. We will consider the ethical conflicts between utilitarian (quantitative) theories engineers favor and duty theories (Kantian ethics).

Sample reading list:
David Noble, America by Design
Loren Graham, The Ghost of the Executed Engineer
Carroll Pursell, White Heat
Douglas Birsch and John H. Fielder, The Ford Pinto case : a study in applied ethics, business...

Reading/Writing assignment:
Three short papers (2-3 pages) based on precept material. In the second half of the term, students will carry out an independent analysis of a technology and examine the ethical issues facing engineers in implementing the technology (topics include energy, environmental, automotive and other technologies). Oral presentations and annotated bibliographies will be presented on these analyses.

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 15%
Final Exam - 20%
Design Project - 20%
Papers - 25%
Precept Participation - 20%

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
22077 L01 11:00 am - 11:50 am T Th   Engineering Quad A-Wing A224   Enrolled:19 Limit:35
P01 7:30 pm - 8:20 pm T   Friend Center of Engineering 202   Enrolled:0 Limit:15
25319 P02 7:30 pm - 8:20 pm T Th     Enrolled:0 Limit:0 Canceled
P03 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm Th   Friend Center of Engineering 112   Enrolled:0 Limit:15