Evolving Perspectives of Integrating Engineering and the Liberal Arts Borjana Mikic, Ph.D Chair Liberal Education Division, ASEE Symposium on Engineering and Liberal Education

Liberal Education Division of ASEE What is the LED? Forum within ASEE for those concerned with integrating humanities & social sciences into engineering education Aims to provide educators in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering with opportunities to interact in the development of scholarly and curricular relationships

Liberal Education Division of ASEE Models of Liberal Education for Engineers Silos within silos Traditional courses in the Humanities & Social Sciences Discrete HSS modules Inter- and Multi- Disciplinary Courses & Experiences –Courses at the boundaries of HSS & engineering –Transforming “ traditional ” technical courses –Parallel courses –Engineering in context

Liberal Education Division of ASEE Is there a best model? “ As an area of study that encourages self-discovery, the exploration of different ways of thinking, and broad intellectual development, Liberal Education in engineering cannot be reduced to a single [approach]. No single pattern of learning is right for every student, teacher, program, or school. Liberal Education can be [achieved] in many ways. ” Recommendations for Liberal Education in Engineering 2002 LED White Paper

Liberal Education Division of ASEE The more holistic question… What is the purpose of liberal arts education? How does it meet the needs of our current student populations? How do we best develop both the knowledge base and the habits of mind for true praxis in our students?