ORIENTING ENGINEERING ETHICS IN TERMS OF CHINA:

CURRICULA SHORTCOMINGS AND CASE STUDIES ON CHINA

Rockwell F. Clancy, PhDGuangyu Zhang

June 14, 2014

Outline

I. Introduction

II. Shortcomings (overview)A. Shortcomings related to international curricula and

cross-cultural understandingB. Shortcomings related to Chinese curricula and

public safety

III. Case studies (overview)A. Case studies and their relation to international

curricula and cross-cultural understandingB. Case studies and their relation to Chinese curricula

and public safety

IV. Conclusion

I. Introduction

A two-fold aim

Project “Orienting Engineering Ethics in terms of China and Chinese Values: Its Significance Based on Three Case Studies”

To identify and rectify:

1. Shortcomings in curricula in international engineering environments, and resulting misunderstandings

2. Deficiencies within engineering curricula in China, and resulting safety concerns

Our findings

1. The nature of shortcomings within current curricula; ways to rectify these deficiencies

2. Three case studies: the Three Gorges dam, the West-East pipeline, and coal mining and energy

3. Differences between China and other countries

4. Addressing global engineering challenges, improving cross-cultural understanding, and strengthening international collaborations

II. Shortcomings (overview)

Overview

1. Identifies shortcomings in curricula in international engineering environments, and resulting misunderstandings

2. Motivated by deficiencies within engineering curricula in China, and resulting safety concerns

3. Discuss the nature of these curricula and their consequences

II-A. Shortcomings related to international curricula and cross-cultural understanding

International Curricula

1. Texts for courses are generally based on Western perspectives.

2. Socially specific values and circumstances obviously contribute to international engineering.

Cross-cultural understanding

1. Many foreigners working as engineers in Shanghai have expressed alarm and voiced concerns.

2. Students can be made better aware of these differences and the roles they play in shaping international engineering environments through case studies.

II-B. Shortcomings related to Chinese curricula and public safety

Public safety

1. Recently, Chinese government policies have shifted, such that public safety is of increasing concern.

2. It is important that engineers in China engage in ethical practices.

Chinese curricula

1. Courses that deal with the ethical, social, and political dimensions of engineering are not a central feature of engineering curricula throughout China.

2. Exceptions: UM-SJTU Joint Institute, Southwest Jiao Tong University, The University of Science and Technology Beijing, and the Dalian University of Technology

3. Generally based on Western perspectives – harder for Chinese students to understand – clashes with values

Results of misunderstanding

1. Fail to appreciate the responsibilities engineers have for insuring public safety

2. It is important that Chinese engineers be made aware of their responsibilities for public safety and engage in practices that foster this safety.

III. Case studies (overview)

Anticipated outcomes

1. Improve curricula, and, therefore, improve cross-cultural understanding in international engineering environments

2. Improve engineering curricula offered in China and, as a result, contribute to public safety in China

III-A. Case studies and their relation to international curricula and cross-cultural understanding

Relevant to global engineering challenges

1. Address differences in perspectives that result from differing cultural assumptions

2. Enhance the quality of international collaborations through better cross-cultural understanding

An ethical perspective

1. For example, deontological frameworks are largely foreign to traditional Chinese systems of thought such as Confucianism.

2. Different ethical commitments guide engineering projects in China.

3. Highlight the nature and importance of these different cultural and ethical perspectives

Broader implications and consequences

1. Projects have been conceived as either points of national pride or humiliation, rather than as simply responses to energy, resource, and transportation needs.

2. The potential to either increase or decrease the livelihood of Chinese people in significant ways, as well as either building trust in the government or undermining its legitimacy

Responses to scarce resource needs

1. Large-scale engineering projects shape China’s foreign policy with both its neighbors and the rest of the world.

2. Have far-reaching implications and consequences, touching on broader issues, for example, energy security and international diplomacy

Prepare students

1. Take cognizance of the social and political dimensions of engineering in international contexts

2. Have a better understanding of and appreciation for the way circumstances and values foreign to their own shape engineering environments

3. Enhance the quality of international collaborations through better cross-cultural understanding

III-B. Case studies and their relation to Chinese curricula and public safety

Chinese-specific resources in courses

1. Facilitate the introduction of courses such as these into engineering curricula throughout China

2. Assuage difficulties Chinese students find in understanding materials developed from and for a Western perspective

3. Place greater emphasis on the nature of the communal good and shared responsibility in engineering contexts, as well as China’s place as a developing country

Professional responsibility

1. Have an understanding of and appreciation for concepts and principles concerning the ethical and social implications of engineering

2. More fully appreciating and acting in a manner that insures public safety

IV. Conclusion

Conclusion

1. The issues on which we focus in relation to China are globally relevant.

2. Deficiencies in current curricula both internationally and within China

3. Improve engineering curricula4. Foster greater understanding in

international engineering environments5. Assuage concerns regarding public

safety in China

Thank you!