Unveiling Hidden Barriers: How the World is Engineered for Some, and Not for Others

3 Credits

By unveiling hidden barriers in technical design, students will use a multidisciplinary approach to envision and propose more inclusive, equitable, and community-responsive design. Through a systems-thinking lens and case studies from both the U.S. and global contexts, students will analyze how historical, political, and social forces shape design processes, determine access and benefit, and often reproduce inequities. Students will engage with case studies and real world application within STEM education; artificial intelligence; transportation infrastructure; safety & compliance; urban design; data, information technology & cybersecurity; and agriculture & food sciences.