Course Details

Course offered Autumn 2018

HONORS 392 A: Science and Engineering for Social Justice (SSc / NSc, DIV)

HONORS 392 A: Science and Engineering for Social Justice (SSc / NSc, DIV)

SLN 15885 (View UW registration info »)

Dianne Hendricks (Bioengineering; Human Centered Design & Engineering)
Phone: 206-685-9283
Email: dgh5@uw.edu

Credits: 5
Limit: 35 students

6 spots reserved for incoming freshmen students.
This 5-credit course examines – through an ethics lens – the relationship between the engineering sciences and gender/sex, race, disability and sexuality. This is a writing-intensive, discussion-based course. No prerequisite; no prior knowledge or coursework in science, engineering, ethics, or diversity required. Students of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to enroll!

In the first half of this course, we will trace this relationship through history, examining how cultural and scientific theories of gender/sex, race, disability and sexuality influence one another. We will critically evaluate the science behind human difference and reflect on how these scientific theories have been used to promote or fight inequality. In the second half of this course, we will investigate modern engineering questions related to inclusive design, research and technology. We will explore the social and political context of engineering, asking ourselves who defines which problems engineers solve, who benefits these solutions and what role social justice plays in engineering practice.

Learning outcomes:
1) Identify how cultural concepts of race, gender, sexuality and disability have shaped scientific thought (and vice versa) through history.
2) Define key terms related to the scientific theories of human difference presented in the course.
3) Evaluate claims about the biology of race, gender/sex, sexuality and disability.
4) Identify the positive and negative impacts of science, engineering and technology on marginalized groups.
5) Critically analyze the social and political context of engineering technologies.
6) Propose approaches to promote social justice and diversity in engineering practice through assignments such as the midterm project in accessible design.

Course Requirements:
Students enrolled in the course will be required to complete:
1) Weekly written reflections on assigned readings and class discussions.
2) Additional readings from scientific literature and other sources.
3)Team midterm project: Proposal to re-design an everyday item for better accessibility
4) Final paper on topic of student’s choice related to engineering/science, ethics, and diversity/inclusion.