Broadening student perspectives in engineering design courses

The author gives an overview of an innovative multidisciplinary course, Design for Society, that has been offered since the spring of 1996 at Penn State Harrisburg. This course serves to introduce engineering technology and science students to the larger context of engineering and design. It attempts to broaden their perspectives on the potential for technology to serve human ends and to be seen as a useful set of tools to help society get to where it wants to be. At the same time, it shows the limitations to the viability of modern consumerist society and the need to rethink common beliefs and values. It provides some practical examples of how designers can take responsible actions for the betterment of society, both now and in the future.