Applied Math and Science Education Repository - Engineering Ethical Decisions

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Title:

Engineering Ethical Decisions

Url:

https://cii.wwu.edu:443/showcase2004/newcomer/

Creator:

Newcomer, Jeff

Publisher:

Western Washington University

Description: This webpage showcases a series of engineering ethical decision classes. Manufacturing students and instructors would find the following class and assignment of particular interest: The final class in the breadth sequence, Manufacturing Ergonomics, Safety, and Health (MESH) is different from the courses discussed to this point, in that it has a smaller audience and does not use case studies in the same manner as the other courses. MESH is a course for Manufacturing Engineering Technology majors, although it is sometimes taken by other students as an elective; it is both smaller and more focused toward a specific field. Ethics, starting with both the NSPE and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) codes of ethics, represent one of the justifications for implementing ergonomic and safety programs in manufacturing facilities. As such, the course starts with a discussion of the basis for implementing ergonomic and safety programs, including ethics, and then these ideas remain underlying concepts throughout the course. Case studies with direct ethical implications are not used consistently in the course as examples, but students are required to complete an accident summary and analysis as one of their assignments. As part of the analysis in this assignment, students are asked to assess behavior relative to both Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) codes and acceptable professional behavior, if engineers were involved in or responsible for the accident. Based on their comments, this assignment makes a strong impression on many students, especially concerning the disregard that some people have for the safety of themselves or their co-workers.

Although this topic has been addressed before, the case study approach is interesting, and includes very strong connections to critical thinking, writing and information literacy. It is highly adoptable for many different courses at many different levels. Case studies can be isolated and adopted. There is also plenty of pedagogical supporting information that faculty may find interesting and useful.

Reviewer Comments: This resource is of high quality and current. The case study approach is interesting, and has very strong connections to critical thinking, writing and information literacy. Case Studies can be isolated and adopted. Faculty may find the pedagogical supporting information interesting and useful. There are some dead links on the website.

LC Classification:

Bibliography. Library science. Information resources (General) -- Subject bibliography -- Education -- Special topics, A-Z -- Engineering education
Bibliography. Library science. Information resources (General) -- Subject bibliography -- Engineering -- Special topics, A-Z -- Ethics
Technology -- Engineering (General). Civil engineering -- Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) -- Disasters and engineering

GEM Subject:

Science -- Engineering
Vocational Education -- Trade and industrial

Resource Type:

Collection
Reference Material
Instructional Material

Format:

Document -- HTML

Audience:

Educator
Learner

Education Level:

High School
Higher Education
Higher Education -- Undergraduate (Lower Division)
Higher Education -- Undergraduate (Upper Division)
Higher Education -- Technical Education (Upper Division)
Higher Education -- Technical Education (Lower Division)
Vocational/Professional Development Education

Language:

English

Access Rights:

Free access

Screenshot

Full Image

Source Type:

ATE Center

Source:

National Center for Manufacturing Education

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Cumulative Rating:

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