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    Building on over two decades of teaching and research as the Engineering Writing Program, the EiS Program offers curricular and co-curricular programs that help students understand that engineering practice is inseparable from the examination of communication, ethics, and societal impact.



    EiS Student Voices


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    "As an engineer with an interest in consumer electronics, my experience with EIS courses has deepened my understanding of real-world needs, particularly for those often overlooked in the target demographic of advanced technologies we're creating."

    Baran Cinbis

    M.S. Electrical Engineering
    B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering

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    "If we confine engineering to a rigid, cut-and-dry approach, we risk undesirable outcomes. Embracing insights from the humanities and other professions enriches our perspective, allowing us to see our work through a multifaceted lens."

    Jackie Finnemeyer

    B.S. Computer Engineering & Computer Science

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    "It's clear that engineering holds immense potential for positive impact, but it can only be realized when we understand both the people we serve and the ethical implications of our work. Engaging in ethical discussions not only enriches engineering practices but also ensures a deeper understanding of the technologies we develop for public use."

    Sabrina Ly

    B.S. Biomedical Engineering

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    "Effective communication is crucial for engineers and in every walk of life. Working at illumin Magazine has significantly improved my communication abilities, a skill s that was very beneficial during my Amazon internship. This experience has also led to numerous opportunities in science-based communication for me."

    Ralph Jeanty

    B.S. Computer Science and Business Administration

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    "I think when we think back to concepts like design thinking and engineering we need to get ourselves out of a mindset where it’s not just  about the technology itself or design thinking the technical parts, but also how can we apply design thinking to the political sphere, and to the humanities and to make sure that when we’re on that spectrum of dystopia versus utopia, we’re leaning more towards that utopian civilization."

    Vikram A

    CSBA

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    "I feel like as engineers you need to be introduced to every single aspect of the world, and this place does exactly that. Not just the past, but also the present and future are shown here, in a way that I don’t think you would see anywhere else."

    Khushi P

    Aerospace Engineering
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    "The things that we make are going to impact people and so I think having a global mindset and understanding different ways of life and different people is definitely like really important to what we do and what’s going to make us a better person and a better engineer."

    Loza G

    CSBA
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    "Learning that humanistic side of engineering and the fact that that’s such a focus in different places outside of the US. It's just really great to carry forth because remember we’re building products and engineering ultimately to enhance people’s lives."

    Cameron C

    CSBA

      “We should be preparing students not only with outstanding technical competence, which we already are, but also with character, both of which together spell trust.”

      YANNIS C. YORTSOS

      DEAN, USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
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      2,000+

      EiS students reached per year

      120+ 

      Community impact projects to date

      164,858 

      Illumin magazine readership in 2022

      7

      Global destinations to date
      SEE MORE PROJECTS

      EiS Initiatives


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      Vision Venture

      Current Viterbi students interview recent alumni about first jobs and life after graduation, in this video project called “groundbreaking” by the Coalition for Life Transformative Education

      More info
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      Improv in Engineering

      Co-curricular partnership with the School of Dramatic Arts and embedded classroom innovation. IFE trains improvisational theater techniques and strategies to enhance communication, creativity, social cohesion, and trust, in an interactive and dynamic learning environment.

      Learn More
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      The Weingart Center Projects

      Viterbi students complete consulting projects for the Weingart Center, a local organization dedicated to arranging transitional housing for the homeless.
      More info
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      Illumin Magazine

      Illumin Magazine is an online publication written, edited, and published by undergraduate Viterbi students. Its mission is to explain the engineering behind the things we encounter every day.

      Read Now
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      Viterbi Conversations in Ethics Magazine

      An educational forum for reasoned, informed, and relevant discussion of engineering ethics.
      Read Now
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      Engineering Moment podcast

      In this podcast, Viterbi students discuss the role of engineering in society and examine their potential to be force multipliers in the world.

      Listen Now
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      Ethos Project

      The Viterbi Ethos Project seeks to enrich within Viterbi students the practices and values of character that will distinguish a Viterbi engineer graduate.

      Learn More
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      The Hub

      Academic writing and speaking support for engineering Ph.D. students; over 150 appointments in its inaugural year from all Viterbi departments with Ph.D. programs

      See More

        Recent Highlights

        By Marc Ballon

        The new Good Life Discussion Series allows USC Viterbi students to ask such big questions in a safe, supportive setting 
        By Jade Bahng

        Elisabeth Arnold Weiss injects VR and improv into her advanced writing classes, opening opportunities for learning and imagination.
        By USC Viterbi Staff

        These full-time teaching faculty are using everything from improv theatre to classroom polling to connect with USC Viterbi students
        By Marc Ballon

        A newly launched USC Viterbi online publication – believed to be the first student-run engineering ethics magazine in the country – examines some of the major issues of our day.
        By Lila Jones

        The new program aims to give middle and high school students a unique opportunity to learn about engineering in a classroom setting.

        EiS Globally

        We take engineering education global, offering students curated international experiences to witness world-class innovations firsthand. Alongside technical exposure, the program includes cultural immersion, allowing students to gain diverse cultural perspectives. The result is a well-rounded, globally-aware engineer prepared to meet the challenges of an interconnected world.

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        TRIP HIGHLIGHTS


          Students have the opportunity to interact with local engineers and thought leaders, gaining invaluable insights into how engineering challenges and solutions can vary across different cultural contexts. This prepares our students not just as skilled engineers, but also as global citizens who are sensitive to diverse cultures and better equipped to tackle engineering challenges on an international scale.



          Upcoming Events


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          March 12 2024
          Stay tuned for more details

          ETHOS Live brings together students with tech luminaries, entrepreneurs, faculty, and artists in an event focused on the intersection of tech and ethics. Set in a talk-show format, it unfolds before a live audience of undergraduate and graduate students. Each month during the semester we invite a main host who will be joined by special invited guests representing a diversity of expertise and perspectives on thematic topics. Our first Ethos Live event is focused on the Ethical Considerations of A Student Startup.
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          Upcoming Events

          Mar18Mon

          EiS Communications Hub Drop-In Hours

          Mon, Mar 18, 2024
          10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
          Location: RTH 222
          Drop-in hours for writing and speaking support for Viterbi Ph.D. students

          Mar20Wed

          EiS Communications Hub Drop-In Hours

          Wed, Mar 20, 2024
          10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
          Location: RTH 222
          Drop-in hours for writing and speaking support for Viterbi Ph.D. students

          Mar22Fri

          EiS Communications Hub Drop-In Hours

          Fri, Mar 22, 2024
          10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
          Location: RTH 222
          Drop-in hours for writing and speaking support for Viterbi Ph.D. students

          See all Viterbi School events

          Published on February 23rd, 2017

          Last updated on February 21st, 2024