Introduction to Technology in the International Context

Engineering

Location
Santarem, Brazil

Description
Often engineering and science are considered to be culturally independent. This, however, turns out not to be the case, especially as they get applied in a business or other context. It is important for engineers, scientists, and anyone involved in international research/engineering/business to understand how culture affects technological development and application, and conversely, how culture is affected by science and technology. Business and technical professionals who are aware and sensitized to such issues are able to do their jobs much more effectively.

This course examines the development and practice of science and engineering in the context of their underlying cultural bases (social, political, religious, and organizational). The goal of the course is not just to understand the practice of technology in one country versus another, but to develop analytical skills for analyzing technology in any international setting. The course is designed for students from a wide variety of backgrounds and majors; engineering background is useful but not necessary.

Students will address these issues in the context of service learning in Santarem, Brazil. The students will start by studying how science, business and engineering education is organized and implemented in Brazil, based on independent readings as well as interviews/discussions with individuals in Brazil. Next, site visits will be made to educational, industrial, medical and environmental facilities in and around Santarem. Utilizing group discussions, what they learn will be compared and contrasted with the U.S. In Brazil, students will work in small groups, each of which will pick a particular area to study in greater depth and use the available resources there for this purpose. Each group will then develop a detailed report that analyzes in depth some specific aspect of business/science/technology in its cultural context.

Before leaving for Brazil, students will independently collect background material on a research topic. Students will keep a journal throughout the course, which will be turned in upon return from Brazil. Students will also submit their final research paper after returning to the United States.

Brazil
Our course will take place in Santarém, 500 miles up from the mouth of the mighty Amazon River. Santarém is a city of approximately 250,000 people. We will have the opportunity to work and play with the local people and to experience first hand the rich culture of Brazil. Santarem is located on Tapajos River, a popular destination for visitors to Brazil. Possible trips include a boat ride down the Amazon or Tapajós rivers, a hike through the jungle, a visit to Santarém's open air market, and a visit to one of the largest collections of Native South American artifacts in Latin America. Past students have also visited the beaches of Altar de Chao, often described as the "Caribbean of the Amazon"; and Nazare, a village reached in a day's journey by boat. Daily interaction with community members and children at the Pastoral do Menor will make this a journey impossible to forget!

We will provide service for the Pastoral do Menor. Pastoral do Menor Trabalhador was founded in 1987 by the Catholic Diocese of Santarem to combat the problems of violence, abandonment, and abuse of street children. Pastoral do Menor set up a Support Center for Child Workers (SCCW) which provides educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for street children in an effort to give them a better future. Today, approximately 300 children take part in SCCW activities. The SCCW also has an outreach and prevention component. The staff visit the homes of families-at-risk and work with them to ensure that the children stay in school and stay away from gangs.

The needs of the community will determine our service project which may include building new facilities such as classrooms or workshops at Pastoral satellite sites as part of their goal to expand programming all over the region.

Details

Instructor: Jayant Rajgopal

Credits: 6

Service-Learning Abroad: June 2 - June 23, 2004

Credits Awarded: Credits are awarded for this course through the University of Pittsburgh.