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Short-Term Study-Abroad Program: Engineering in a Global and Societal Context Abstract

A 3-week study-abroad program for Bucknell University engineering students was offered for the first time in May, 2004. One purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for students who are not able to spend a semester or year abroad to gain international experience before they graduate. The program was delivered in the United Kingdom where both co-authors have taught and lived. Students received one course credit (4 credit hours) for the program, "Engineering in a Global and Societal Context," which counted as a free elective or an engineering elective.

This study-abroad program was designed to address a specific educational objective adopted as part of Bucknell’s Civil Engineering program’s accreditation process: “Graduates of the Civil Engineering program will demonstrate professional responsibility and a sensitivity to a broad range of societal concerns such as ethical, environmental, economic, regulatory and global issues.” While this educational objective was adopted for civil engineering students, it is applicable to all engineering students regardless of specialty. Specific educational outcomes for the study-abroad program included: • The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context, • Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning, and • Knowledge of contemporary issues.

To meet the educational outcomes, a series of lectures, site visits and guest speakers were arranged using transportation and environmental issues as the underlying themes. The students were in London for the first and third weeks, and during the second week the group traveled to York, Nottingham, Oxford and Bath. While in London, the students were generally in the classroom in the morning and in the field in the afternoon. University faculty conducted the classroom activities to provide context and background for guest speakers and field trips. Assessment was based upon class and field trip attendance, a daily journal, and a term paper written and submitted after the students returned to the US.

The dates of the program were selected such that the program began immediately after the end of final examinations and ended during the first week in June so that students could return home in time for summer jobs. A total of 18 students participated in the first offering of the course, and the second offering will be in May 2006.

Introduction

This paper describes a short-term overseas program for engineering students interested in developing their professional responsibility and sensitivity to a broad range of topics impacting engineering including ethical, environmental, economic, regulatory and global issues. While there are a number of semester and year-long study abroad programs1, this program provides an unique opportunity for students who are not able to spend a semester abroad to gain international experience before they graduate.2 The program is based in the United Kingdom (UK) where the

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McGinnis, R., & Evans, J. (2006, June), Short Term Study Abroad: Engineering In A Global And Societal Context Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--1271