Course syllabus for The engineer in society

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIngenjören och samhället
  • CodeTEK390
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIEPL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Engineering and Management
  • ThemeMTS 7.5 c
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 68125
  • Maximum participants50
  • Minimum participants15
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0111 Written and oral assignments 2 c
Grading: UG
2 c
0211 Examination 5.5 c
Grading: TH
5.5 c
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Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

No specific prerequisites.

Aim

The purpose of the course is to prepare the engineering students for a professional role in interplay with a complex society and deepen the student¿s understanding regarding the role of and development of the engineering profession in a historical perspective. The course also aims at increasing the understanding among the future engineers of the intended as well as the unintended consequences of technology - and highlight, on the basis of concepts like power, influence and responsibility - the position of technology and the engineer in society. One important starting point is the changeability and development of the engineering profession, technology, and the industrial production, in relation to the surrounding society.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Give an account of the development and role of the engineering profession and education in a historical perspective. Give an account for the establishment and development of the industrial production. Give an account for and reflect on the pre-conditions for and effects of modern industrial production. Give an account for and reflect on the relationship between technology and science. Reflect on ethical dilemmas in relation to the development of technology and production. Reflect on his/her professional role and professional responsibility as well as civil role in relation to a sustainable technical and societal development. Have some knowledge about other, chiefly social scientific disciplines and approaches and some ability to apply those with the purpose to understand the role of technology and the engineer in society. Be able to use a critical and creative thinking in a group in order to identify possible changes on a micro-, meso-, or macro level in order to accomplish a sustainable technological and societal development.. Reflect on how facts differ from values, identify ethical dilemmas and be able to apply and discuss ethical decisions, and accept that decisions are based on facts as well as on values and that different outlooks on life can generate different decisions.

Content

The first part of the course treats the rise and development of the engineering profession and the engineering education in a historical perspective. The second part of the course treats the rise and development of the industrial production from the perspective of history of technology. The third and last part of the course treats the modern industrial production - its pre-conditions and effects.

Organisation

The teaching is done partially through a theory section with lectures as well as practice sessions such as discussion tasks.

Literature

Indicated at the start of course.

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved on take home examination. Approved written hand in tasks and oral presentations. At least 80 % attendance and active participation at lectures and practice sessions, alternatively approved additional question on take home exam for those students who do not reach 80 % attendance. Grading scale: 5, 4, 3, fail.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.