Integrating Microethics and Macroethics in Graduate Science and Engineering Education: Development and Assessment of Instructional Models
Began: 2008 Ended: 2012
- PI: Joseph Herkert, Lincoln Associate Professor of Ethics and Technology, ASU
- Co-PI: Heather Canary, assistant professor, Communication, University of Utah
- Co-PI: Karin Ellison, associate director, Center for Biology and Society, ASU
- Co-PI: Jameson Wetmore, associate professor, CSPO and School of Human Evolution and Social Change, ASU
This three-year research and education project is designing and refining innovative instructional models for graduate students in emerging areas of science and technology, assessing the strengths and limitations of each model, and developing models that reflect a recent imperative of ethics education in science and engineering – the integration of microethical and macroethical issues.
The project's goals are to:
- formulate educational outcomes for the integration of micro- and macroethics in graduate science and engineering education
- develop and pilot different models for teaching micro- and macroethics to graduate students in science and engineering
- assess the comparative effectiveness of the instructional models
- facilitate adoption of the instructional models and assessment methods at other academic institutions
- provide for widespread dissemination of course materials and assessment results in the engineering, science and ethics education communities
The project plan has four main components:
- a Coordination Workshop
- four instructional models for integrating micro- and macroethics in graduate science and engineering education
- comprehensive project assessment, including comparison of the effectiveness of the models
- a Results Dissemination Workshop
The models included in the project are:
- a stand alone course on societal implications of science and engineering
- micro- and macroethics material embedded in a required science course
- a face-to-face/online hybrid course on responsible conduct of research
- engaging ethics in the lab
The project team includes an interdisciplinary group of ethics, science, engineering, science & technology studies, and communication faculty at Arizona State University, an Advisory Council of faculty from four other universities of varying mission, size and geographical location; and three consultants with national reputations in science and engineering ethics education.
Support
This project is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation through its Ethics Education in Science & Engineering (EESE) program. Groundwork for the embedded model, lab engagements, and stand alone courses was developed in part through the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at ASU.
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