The ethics of engineering I
HUM-412 / 3 credits
Teacher: Rodogno Raffaele
Language: English
Remark: Une seule inscription à un cours SHS+MGT autorisée. En cas d'inscriptions multiples elles seront toutes supprimées sans notification.
Summary
Working in groups, students provide an ethical analysis of technological applications. They study how their features combine with the socio-material environment to impact values, and what solutions are available to change this impact in desirable ways.
Content
This module focuses on the idea of value in design and the ethics of artefacts more in general. The course is divided in two parts. In the first, an approach is proposed for the evaluation of artefacts. We study the alleged value-neutrality of artefacts, the way values are realized in society and consequently influenced by artefacts, and, finally, the claims that technology is invariably the solution or part of the problem. The teacher illustrates this approach through examples drawn from their own research in the ethics of social robotics and AI. In the second part of the course, the students are required to put this approach into practice. Having formed groups, they will select an artefact of their choosing and provide an ethical analysis. Finally, each group will present their analysis to the rest of the class.
Keywords
Ethics of engineering
Value in Design
Ethical analysis of technological applications
Ethical Theories
Values
Public good / public interest
Well-being
Health
Sustainability
Risk-benefit analysis
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
No prequisites
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Identify the ethical issues that engineers may encounter in their professional activities.
- Use ethical concepts and tools in order to form their own ethical judgement in the matter.
- Propose practicable solutions
Transversal skills
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Take responsibility for health and safety of self and others in a working context.
- Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
- Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
- Make an oral presentation.
Teaching methods
1. In class discussion of the reading material
2. Presentation by the lecturer of the subject
3. Group work and class discussion on real life engineering ethics cases
Expected student activities
- Reading ahead of class
- In class active participation
- In class group work
Assessment methods
- Midterm in class exam
- Final in class exam
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistant.e.s | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
Resources
Notes/Handbook
Moodle Link
Videos
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Number of places: 60
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: The ethics of engineering I
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: mandatory