Building Lasting Bridges: German and Engineering

FAIN: AKB-279460-21

Auburn University (Auburn, AL 36849-0001)
Traci S. O'Brien (Project Director: September 2020 to present)
Dean Hendrix (Co Project Director: April 2021 to present)
Robert Karcher (Co Project Director: April 2021 to present)

The development of five courses for a dual degree program in German and engineering.

The Project, “Building Lasting Bridges: German and Engineering at Auburn University,” seeks funding to create five innovative courses that strengthen the collaboration between humanities and STEM fields at Auburn University. Comprised of faculty from both German and Engineering, the collaborative team will build on the recently approved dual degree program in German and Engineering to develop four courses that support dual degree students in attaining high levels of linguistic, intercultural, and technical expertise. For the fifth course, the team will transform an already existing pre-engineering course to make intercultural competence central to student learning outcomes. By shifting its project development focus to an international context, the pilot version of this course will train hundreds of pre-engineering students in intercultural competence. As a result of this collaboration, students will learn to build bridges, both literally and figuratively.

Associated Products

How to Move Forward with Integrating the Humanities with Engineering: An Open Discussion. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: How to Move Forward with Integrating the Humanities with Engineering: An Open Discussion.
Abstract: German & Engineering at Auburn Important intersections between the humanities and engineering: Intercultural competence International education efforts Multinational industry Institutional hurdles Density of degrees Scholarship eligibility Turf wars Double dipping Current pedagogical efforts (NEH funded) ENGR 1110 – Introduction to Software Engineering FLGR 3100 – Introduction to German Literature
Author: Traci O'Brien
Author: Dean Hendrix
Author: Bob Karcher
Date: 11/02/2021
Location: Online

FLGR 3100: Mensch-Maschine: Eine Einfuehrung in die deutschsprachige Literatur (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: FLGR 3100: Mensch-Maschine: Eine Einfuehrung in die deutschsprachige Literatur
Author: Traci O'Brien
Abstract: Welcome to Mensch – Maschine: Eine Einführung in die deutschsprachige Literatur! The nineteenth century marks a time of rapid social, political, and economic change in the German speaking lands. In the latter half of the century, the German states unified into one nation and Germany quickly transitioned from an agrarian to an industrial nation. Berlin became one of the most modern metropolises at the onset of the twentieth century with its massive population growth and expansion of industry and infrastructure. German historian Jürgen Osterhammel speaks of a “transformation of the world” during the nineteenth century, with reference to historical paradigms such as the industrial revolution and the relationship between man, nature, and technology. Groundbreaking technological inventions such as the railway and the steam engine and the increasing “technologization” of human life changed more traditional ways of living; technology also became a subject matter of scrutiny in contemporary cultural production like art and literature. German literature abounds with references to the new technological age and the relationship between human beings and technology. This demonstrates the abiding relevance of literature for its potential to reflect “real life” and at the same time critically examine humanity and the ethics of human action in the world. This course will offer you an overview of major works and literary periods in German language literature, from the late nineteenth century until the present. We will contextualize our texts more specifically around the theme of human beings and technology. For this purpose, the works of fiction are paired with an additional reading that focuses on key aspects relevant to our theme. A strong emphasis will be placed in this course on student participation. We will work at building up each student’s ability to speak on a high level about the themes of this course by, first, working towards a detailed understanding of each text.
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

ENGR 1110 (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: ENGR 1110
Author: Dean Hendrix
Author: Gary Pike
Author: Traci O'Brien
Abstract: ENGR 1110 Introduction to Engineering is required of all engineering majors. The course provides an introduction to engineering design, engineering teams, technical writing, oral presentation, and engineering ethics. The Software Engineering sections do this specifically in the context of software development. Course Outcomes By the end of this course, students will demonstrate an ability to: Apply engineering design to implement and evaluate computing-based solutions to problems Communicate effectively in a professional context Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering and computing practice Function effectively on a team Recognize the importance of cultural intelligence in a professional context
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

FLGR 4910 (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: FLGR 4910
Author: Traci O'Brien
Abstract: The background to this three-credit practicum project will consist of readings, independent research and discussions pertaining to definitions of culture and intercultural competence. The primary informational source on culture and intercultural competence will be Riding the Waves of Culture, 4th ed. (RtW). This text will provide a foundation and an opportunity for deeper engagement with the target langauge and culture in/of the workplace. The written work will be exclusively in German and will fall into three categories: 1) Work with definitions of culture and how to look at the culture of the workplace, as well as other human interactions, through this lens (and this should include both the confirmations and surprises in interactions with the other culture); 2) Detailed descriptions of experiences and then subsequent analysis of these experiences through the cultural spectrum provided in RtW; and 3) Speculative writing about the impact of cultural awareness and intercultural competence on the confrontation with difference. Through this engagement with the target language and culture – on a theoretical as well as a practical level – the student will not only improve his spoken and written German, but his understanding of contemporary workplace culture in Germany.
Year: 2022
Audience: Undergraduate

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