The Missing Link in Engineering Education: The Arts and Humanities

Abstract

We suggest that engineering education would benefit from a closer integration with the arts and humanities: to improve the design process, to attract a more diverse student body, and to sensitize students to the social impact of technology. Conversely, in today’s high- tech environment, the liberal arts would be strengthened by introducing students to engineering concepts. We propose a program, Liberal Studies in Engineering, and outline its key components. Creating this interdisciplinary program in higher education requires confronting and transcending academic silos.