Social, Ethical and Global Issues in Engineering

The College of Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM) adopted an ethics across the curriculum (EAC) strategy in 2005. EAC is based on the combination of faculty development workshops, a stand-alone course in ethics, and ethics learning modules integrated at various levels of the engineering curriculum. In 2006 the EAC strategy was expanded to include social and global issues in engineering. A Coordinator for Social, Ethical and Global Issues (SEGI) in Engineering was appointed in the College of Engineering to coordinate and support activities related to these areas at all engineering departments. Such a position is valuable in demonstrating the commitment to educating integral engineers that are both technically capable and socially responsible. This SEGI work presents a more integrated curriculum to students through activities that link liberal arts courses and topics to engineering. The position also serves as a liaison with other Colleges in these matters, and supports the achievement of eight of the learning outcomes from ABETpsilas criterion 3. This paper describes the various activities of the coordination of the SEGI work, and its relationship to the general education component of engineering curricula.