Catalog Data: MSE 486 Technology and Society, (3) I The evolution of our technological civilization will be discussed with
emphasis on possible future models of technological organizations and on the changing roles of the scientist and
engineer. 1ES, 2ED. (Identical with ENGR 486). May be convened with MSE 586.
Text Books: Required:
Cross, Nigel (1989). Engineering Design Methods. Wiley & Sons. (CROSS-EDM)
Bucciarelli, Louis L. (1994). Designing Engineers. MIT Press. (LB-DE)
Sladovich, Helen, ed. (1991).Engineering as a Social Enterprise. National Academy Press. (HS-ESE).
Street, John (1992). Politics and Technology. Guilford Press. (JS-P&T)
Perrow, Charles (1984). Normal Accidents. Basic Books. (CP-NA)
Recommended.
Koen, Billy Vaughn (1988). Definition of the Engineering Method. American Society for Eningeering Education. (KOEN)
Additional materials will be in the Engineering Library on Reserve. (ELR).
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Croissant, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Overall Educational Goal: This course focuses on the politics of design in two senses. The first is an analysis of the politics of the design process. In the second sense of the politics of design we look at the outcomes of design decisions and look at anticipated and unanticipated consequences of technologies in societies.
Topics: For seniors and students involved in capstone design courses, we will be analyzing the design process and outcomes of the technology or system of that project. For other students, the design analysis will be based on one of three projects: design of a device or process to assist a person with a disability, design of alternative refrigeration systems, or transportation system and bicycle design. We will discuss which options students wish to choose in class. Students are strongly encouraged to work in groups.
Class Requirements: For this course you will maintain a design notebook or journal,
which will be evaluated on a random-check basis over the course of the semester. The notebook
will be given a "pass" if it demonstrates consistent use of the reading materials and
documents research and analysis efforts. Each student's journal will be checked 5 times,
of which one review may be unsatisfactory without affecting their grade.
Grading: Attendance and participation will contribute 20% to your grade. There will
be a take-home med-term examination in the middle of the semester. It will be distributed
in class and you will have one week to return it. This will be the first 1/3 of the course
and constitute 20% of your grade.
Approximately 2/3 of the way through the course there will a preliminary design critique.
Individuals or groups will present their work in progress to the class to receive feedback
from other students and instructor. This will be 20% of the grade.
The final report (30%) and presentation (10%) of the design analysis will be due during
the last weeks of the semester. The final report will be due by the end of final exams
while the presentation will occur during the last week of classes.
Note that for the design critiques and the final presentations, engineering faculty or
outside professionals may be invited in to review student projects.
* Graduate students enrolled in this course at the 586 level will have an additional written
component of the design project. This will be described in the project handout, but will
primarily involve an additional essay and literature review as part of the final project.
Contribution to Professional Component:
Engineering Science: 1 unit
Engineering Design: 2 units
