Date of Submittal:  Nov 19, 2003             School Document No: LSS 03-22

Proposed Effective Date:  Fall 2003                  Submitting Department:  Hist/Pol

Approved by School:                                            Contact Person: S. Lerner

Approved by Univ. Senate:     Up for Approval            Form 40 Needed:  Yes

Introduction:  To revise the prerequisite for Pol 305, effective: 8/04.

I.  PRESENT COURSE:

Course: POL 305. Technology and Society (Class 3, Lab 0, Cr. 3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.

An introduction to the interactions of technology and society, the impact of engineering and technological solutions, and the role of professionals, this class will focus on contemporary societal and global topics and themes such as:

Environmental issues involving sustainable development, design for recycling, and other critical themes;

Contemporary international issues, such as trade and trade barriers, multi-national companies, and distribution of resources such as oil and minerals; and

The importance of cultural, religious, and socio-economic differences, values, international relations, living and working in another country, the impact of poverty and economic differences.

II.  PROPOSED CLASS:

Course: POL 305. Technology and Society (Class 3, Lab 0, Cr. 3)

Prerequisite: Second semester sophomore  standing or consent of instructor

An introduction to the interactions of technology and society, the impact of engineering and technological solutions, and the role of professionals, this class will focus on contemporary societal and global topics and themes such as:

Environmental issues involving sustainable development, design for recycling, and other critical themes;

Contemporary international issues, such as trade and trade barriers, multi-national companies, and distribution of resources such as oil and minerals; and

The importance of cultural, religious, and socio-economic differences, values, international relations, living and working in another country, the impact of poverty and economic differences.

Justification: This course has been designed to support engineering and technology programs seeking the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering and technology solutions in a global and societal context and wishing to provide students with a knowledge of contemporary issues.  The course will also serve as an exciting course for students in Political Science and in other University departments.  The course adds to offerings political science offerings in the area of public policy.  The class will be a multidisciplinary experience for students in engineering, technology, and politics.  The change in prerequisite will more properly situate the course for technology majors.

 

Impact On students: This course will increase students' social awareness, as well as their global understanding and comprehension of political, technological, societal, economic, and other issues.  The change in prerequisite will have only limited impact on students.

 

Impact on Other Academic Units: This course will serve as an option for majors in political science, engineering, and technology and an elective for students who are interested in learning more about the important relationship between technology and society.  The prerequisite change will aid technology in utilizing the class.

 

Impact on University Resources: The department is able to staff this course with qualified faculty. There will be no request for additional library resources, other than normal acquisitions. This change should have no other impact on University resources.

 

Impact on General Education: The change will only impact technology students and departments.  .