ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that there are ways to introduce professional ethics into the ‘technical curriculum’ (the core of the professional program) that would contribute to the curriculum’s objectives without forcing out anything of much value. It draws examples from engineering, though most of the argument should transfer easily to other programs, especially architecture, computer science, chemistry, mathematics, and the like. The chapter presents the examples under five headings: (1) Improved justification of academic ethics; (2) Developing a student’s professional identity; (3) Increasing opportunities for what engineers call ‘design’ in courses otherwise unsuited to it; (4) Practicing technical communication; and (5) Providing insight into the profession’s practice. These headings, though not exhaustive, are adequate for the purpose of this chapter, demonstrating that professional ethics need not crowd out anything of importance in the professional curriculum.
