Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology Minor

Summary

Global experiences are difficult to fit into a traditional engineering program because of credit expectations and sequential course offerings. This minor in the context of engineering experiences and with a focus on cultural learning will create a pathway for students to develop cultural and language skills desired by our regional employers. Through the resulting minor, graduates will be produced with an expanded set of skills to address global problem solving in engineering and technology. 

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Minor

Total Credits

18

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Core

Minor Core - Tier 1 Courses (Select at least two courses from either group ("Culture and Communication" or "Trade and Technology", minimum 6 cr.)

Tier 1 Course Options - Culture and Communication Core.

The course explores communication with people from other cultures, why misunderstandings occur and how to build clearer and more productive cross-cultural relationships.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Cultural aspects of interactions between people and their environment focusing on spatial patterns of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, industrialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on the processes that create the cultural landscape and on management of land and natural resources.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A history of the physical, political, cultural, social, and economic foundations of world civilizations to 1500.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

A history of the physical, political, cultural, social, and economic foundations of world civilizations to 1500. Same content as HIST 170. Students may not take both HIST 170 and HIST 170W for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Review of major changes in World Civilizations since 1500.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Review of major changes in World Civilization since 1500. Same content as HIST 171. Students may not take both HIST 171 and HIST 171W for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A survey of European civilization from Egypt to the end of the Thirty Years War.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-10

A survey of European civilization from Egypt to the end of the Thirty Years War. Same content as HIST 180. Students may not take both HIST 180 and HIST 180W for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-10

A survey of European history from the end of the Thirty Years War to the present.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Survey of European history from the end of the Thirty Years War to the present. Same content as HIST 181. Students may not take both HIST 181 and HIST 181W for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-09

Discussion of the ways that a culture both creates human community and shapes self-identity. Exploration of similarities and differences between and interdependence among cultural traditions, and of vocabularies for assessing traditions.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Tier 1 Course Options - Trade and Technology Core.

The economic rationale for interregional trade: emphasis on current problems.

Prerequisites: ECON 201 and ECON 202 

International dimensions of business: global business environment (economic, cultural, legal, political) and international business functions (management, marketing, finance, exporting, importing).

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on the basic business functions of Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing in global context.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Program-specific Core. - Take one of the following courses twice, once before and a second time after the required international experience (2 credits required).

This class provides students pursuing a minor in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success in advance of and following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is required both before and after participation in the international experience (min. 2 cr.)

Prerequisites: none

This class provides students pursuing a minor in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success in advance of and following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is required both before and after participation in the international experience (min. 2 cr.)

Prerequisites: none

This class provides students pursuing a minor in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success in advance of and following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is required both before and after participation in the international experience (min. 2 cr.)

Prerequisites: none

This class provides students pursuing a minor in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success in advance of and following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is required both before and after participation in the international experience (min. 2 cr.)

Prerequisites: none

This class provides students pursuing a minor in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success in advance of and following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is required both before and after participation in the international experience (min. 2 cr.)

Prerequisites: none

Elective

Minor Electives - Tier 2 Courses (Minimum 10 cr. from the following three groups).

Tier 2 Course Options - Trade and Technology Electives. - Select from the following courses (0-6 credits).

Topics on current developments in international business, technology, and legislation.

Prerequisites: IBUS 380 

Managerial approach to marketing decision making in multicultural market situations.

Prerequisites: MRKT 210, IBUS 380

This course examines cross-cultural differences in business practices. Among the topics covered are the differences in management styles, multiculturalism, international negotiations, as well as international human resource issues, social responsibility and ethics in a global context, international labor relations, cultural synergy and multicultural teams.

Prerequisites: none

International finance functions in a corporation include currency issues, investment, financial markets interacting, raising debt and equity, and export financing.

Prerequisites: IBUS 380 

The curriculum focuses on Fair Trade, sustainability, and international business principles. Students will spend 9 days in Belize and learn about diverse populations, engage in a service learning project, and visit businesses who produce goods that are Fair Trade certified.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Traces the history of public lands in the United States, their acquisition and disposal. Congressional charges to executive agencies managing national lands and state and local government responsibilities for managing nonfederal public lands. Attention is given to international oceanic resources and how the international community will manage these resources.

Prerequisites: RPLS 272, RPLS 282, or with instructor permission.

Tier 2 Course Options - Language Electives. - Select from the following courses (4-8 credits).

An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Prereq: FREN 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context. Prereq: One year university French or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university French or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context. Prereq: FREN 201 or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Introduction to German for students with little or no language experience.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Prereq: GER 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

A review of German structure and its application to reading, conversation, and composition. Prereq: GER 102 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 102 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Prereq: GER 201 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 201 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing coupled with culture.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing coupled with culture.

Prerequisites: SCAN 101 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 102 or equivalent

Prerequisites: SCAN 102 or equivalent. 

Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 102 or equivalent

Prerequisites: SCAN 102 or equivalent

An introduction to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; presentation of condensed cultural notes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

An introduction to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; presentation of condensed cultural notes.

Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Introductory work toward proficiency in reading, writing speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.

Prerequisites: none

Introductory work toward proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.

Prerequisites: none

A review of the fundamentals of grammar, practice in written and oral expression, development of listening and reading skills, brief cultural components.

Prerequisites: one year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

A review of the fundamentals of grammar, practice in written and oral expression, development of listening and reading skills, brief cultural components. Prereq: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: one year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at the intermediate level. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.Pre: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at the intermediate level. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Major cultural and historical aspects of Spain from ancient times to the present. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Major cultural and historical aspects of Latin America from pre-colonial times to the present. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

This course will focus on acquisition of cultural, personal and universal dimensions of cultural learning that will lead to recognition and (appropriate) response to conditions of marginalized populations as they experience first-hand diverse cultures.

Prerequisites: SPAN 201, SPAN 202

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Tier 2 Course Options - Culture and Communication Electives. - Select from the following courses (0-6 credits).

This introduction to cultural anthropology covers cultural diversity and organization by examining several examples in detail. Both anthropological methodology and theory will be important parts of this course.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Language provides not only communication but identification of oneself and one's group. Humans are extremely sensitive to language, dialect, jargon, and slang. An understanding of language and its relationship to culture is basic to any understanding of human beings.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Survey of human cultures through a variety of classic and contemporary anthropological writing and film. Students write weekly reflections. Written work is shared, discussed, and revised.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A detailed study of Latin American archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca.1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.

Prerequisites: none

The contemporary peoples and cultures of Mexico and Central and South America. Emphasis is on cultural patterns and contemporary issues of the region.

Prerequisites: ANTH 101, ANTH 230, or consent 

Survey of East Asian cultural region. Cultural diversity, change and continuity examined in China, Japan and Korea through institutions and cultural settings. Focus includes how modern East Asian societies face internal social changes and their changing international status.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course analyzes relationships between art and politics from ancient times through today, exploring uses of art from persuasion to overt propaganda in visual arts and architecture. It will deal with diverse cultures, covering material from a global perspective.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Historical survey of art and architectural developments from Islam's origins through the twentieth century. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, and other arts from various regions around the world.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, India, Korea and Japan from pre-history to the 20th century.

Prerequisites: ART 260, ART 261 or consent 

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A course designed to help students learn effective communication using a variety of contemporary technologies. Students will be better equipped to use communication technologies to communicate personal, professional, and public messages.

Prerequisites: none

Designed to help students improve oral communication skills in the workplace. The emphasis is on the preparation and presentation of public messages in formats commonly used in business and professional settings. Listening as an oral communication skill in the workplace will be explored, as will the role of intercultural communication in the workplace. Individual speeches, group presentations, and interviews are the major presentations.

Prerequisites: none

Students examine everyday communication practices (rituals, stories, symbols) analyzing what discursive practices turn individuals into a community. Students explore the meaning of community through experiential learning by experiencing and reflecting upon the way communication creates, maintains, transforms, and repairs community.

Prerequisites: none

This theory and research-oriented course examines the relationship between communication and conflict, and is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in dealing with conflict situations.

Prerequisites: none

Courses will introduce students to works of literature from a variety of world cultures. Designed to increase knowledge of world cultures and appreciation and understanding of cultural differences in representation, and in seeing, believing, and being. Emphasizes critical thinking, reading, and writing. May be repeated with different topics.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Courses will focus on some characteristic ways in which literature addresses and explores the ethical dimensions of human society and the relationships between works and their cultural contexts. Emphasizes critical thinking, reading and writing. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-09

Introduction to business communication. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation typical to a business/industry setting. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, software applications, collaboration, and usability testing to complete business communication tasks. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to introduce students to technical project management. This introduction is achieved through participation in a simulated project management experience. Assignments include standard documentation associated with project management and reflective writing. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: ENG 271W

Differences and similarities in the cultural and natural environments by the world's major regions. Useful survey of world geography for educators and international relations students

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Examines national and international economic geographical order and trade activities. Topics include economic development, competition, international trade, and impacts on the environment and people.

Prerequisites: none

Concepts and theories concerning global and national social problems and the significance of geographic analytic methods for social research. Study of factors related to variations in regional standards of living.

Prerequisites: none

Regional geography covering the ecological and human environment of Middle and South America, including the Caribbean. Students can pick specific topics to study in detail. The geographic relations between the USA and Latin America are also covered.

Prerequisites: none

Students will develop a knowledge of the environmental, cultural, historical, and economic geographies of Canada. Readings of bestselling fiction and scholarly works written by Canadians will provide a Canadian perspective on the nation's past, present, and future.

Prerequisites: none

Cultural, environmental, and economic background of Europe west of Russia and Ukraine. Following a general geographic survey, the course will cover major regions and countries.

Prerequisites: none

Examines the physical and human environments of eastern Asia, mainly China, Korea and Japan. The class will be assisted by visual sources and hands-on use of primary documents.

Prerequisites: none

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Engaging with the practice of policy development, understanding critical policies impacting the experience of aging, and learning how to become a policy entrepreneur will be the focus for this course. The course will also explore innovations in aging policy globally.

Prerequisites: none

This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08, GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A history of western monotheistic religions and their interactions with the secular world and each other from the beginnings of Judaism to the Crusades.

Prerequisites: none

Political, social and economic development of England and Great Britain since the death of Elizabeth I.

Prerequisites: none

Review of French history from the Revolution of 1789 to the present, including such topics as origins and course of the Revolution, Napoleon, Louis XVIII to Third Republic, World War I, World War II and France since 1945.

Prerequisites: none

Political, economic, social, cultural, and immigration history of the Scandinavian countries, including major themes in the mass migration and history of Scandinavians in America. Emphasis on the period, 1500-present.

Prerequisites: none

This seminar course will deal with a specific aspect of European history as announced by the department.

Prerequisites: none

This seminar course will deal with a specific aspect of World History as announced by the department.

Prerequisites: none

A comparative history of the rise of the Chinese and Japanese nations from 1945 to the present.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

History of relations of major East Asian countries with the United States from the late 18th century to the present.

Prerequisites: none

Investigation of historical developments in Sub-Saharan Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Topics will include trade with Europe and America, European colonization and African resistance, life in colonial Africa, independence movements, South Africa's apartheid state and the Rwanda genocide.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course traces the history of Latin America from the late colonial period through the present as the various countries in the region attempted to transcend their colonial past and confront the pressures of modernization and globalization.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An examination of the major factors influencing U.S. diplomacy since 1900. Students will examine how influential policy makers defined their diplomatic goals, and how both domestic and external factors have contributed to America's reaction to wars and revolutions around the world.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course examines cross-cultural differences in business practices. Among the topics covered are the differences in management styles, multiculturalism, international negotiations, as well as international human resource issues, social responsibility and ethics in a global context, international labor relations, cultural synergy and multicultural teams.

Prerequisites: none

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society, and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course examines the sociological significance of popular culture and focuses on how popularized aspects of social life are produced, consumed and experienced by members of society. Includes discussion of celebrities, sports, music, television, movies, commercials and consumption practices.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of sociological theory and research on the ecology, demography, and social organization of the urban community. Presents a sociological interpretation of the development of urban society and how the process of urbanization affects the basic societal institutions and individual behavior.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An overview of the causes, processes and consequences of social stratification in society. Includes an overview of classical statements about stratification and focuses on social inequalities rooted in social class structures, the organization of political power, and social hierarchies based on race and gender differences in society.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 150 or by instructor approval.

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Analysis of social forces and processes involved in changing norms, values, and structures in traditional and modern societies. Examines both planned and unplanned change.

Prerequisites: none

This course exposes students to some of the major realities of life among the poor and socially deprived in all parts of the world, primarily developing countries. Students will confront conditions that impede development and keep people locked into poverty and despair, and will discuss how a person who sees her/himself as a global citizen can act in tangible ways to make that citizenship more meaningful.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A fresh look at the city, with emphasis on the reasons why cities have grown and how people can make cities livable.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

This course will identify and analyze global social, economic, political and environmental problems impacting community viability and explore the full range of solutions to these problems. The course will view communities as complex, sustainable organisms and bring together the works of the great minds working on sustainability.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-10

A basic working knowledge and vocabulary of urban design concepts and techniques in an applied problem solving context.

Prerequisites: none

Examines and applies the fundamental concepts, techniques and mechanisms for environmental planning at the city, county, and sub-state regional levels.

Prerequisites: none

Examines transportation problems of, and solutions for large and medium sized cities. Special emphasis on reducing traffic congestion, improving management of transit systems, and linking transportation and land-use planning.

Prerequisites: none