USC Viterbi Engineering in Society

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 Sy

    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 Agarwal

    B.S. Computer Science and Business Administration
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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 Patel

    B.S. 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 Gebremariam

    B.S. Computer Science and Business Administration
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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 Cole

    B.S. Computer Science and Business Administration

      “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
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      EiS in the News

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      Technical Communication, and Entrepreneurship with Prof. Elisabeth Weiss

      Paul and Hannah sit down with Elisabeth Weiss, a professor who teaches WRIT 340. They discuss her journey to becoming a professor, the hands-on projects and initiatives she has developed for the course, and why strong writing and technical communication are essential skills for engineers.
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      Writing as Envisioning

      Watch Viterbi News Now's coverage of how EiS's Elisabeth Weiss uses Los Angeles landmarks like the LA Memorial Coliseum to spark imagination.

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      Teaching Students to Identify and Attack Misinformation

      An interdisciplinary course at the University of Southern California teaches engineering students research skills and information literacy.

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      USC Viterbi’s In-House Philosopher

      Katherine Brichacek, the USC Viterbi School’s only Ph.D. in philosophy, infuses her advanced writing and other classes with Kant, Aristotle and ethics.

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      Using the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) as an Assignment

      Are you looking for a new way for students to effectively communicate their research? Elizabeth Fife, Viterbi School of Engineering, describes how the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentation format challenges students to share their research in a concise and engaging manner and prepares them for future academic presentations, conferences, and job interviews. Find out how in the latest What a Great Teaching Idea.

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      President’s High-Tech Scholars

      The President’s High-Tech Scholars program builds on USC’s leading role as a top destination for transfer students, with USC ranking first in transfer enrollment among private research universities in the United States.

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      Helping students gain practical sustainability experience

      Q&A with Elisabeth Arnold Weiss

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      USC Viterbi To Play Significant Role in New NSF Center

      USC will be a key contributor to the newly launched U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Pandemic Insights (CPI)...

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      Engineering in Society with Professor Steve Bucher

      Viterbi Voices is back with Season 10! In the pilot episode, Paul sits down with Professor Steve Bucher, the director of the Engineering in Society (EiS) Program.

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      The Academic Minute

      Helen Choi, University of Southern California – Because You Can, Should You?
      Is artificial intelligence the right tool for those in higher education to be using?

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      Shifting Gears

      Read Learning Well magazine's coverage of EiS Associate Director Harly Ramsey's research on fostering engineering students' social consciousness and countering the effects of "grind culture."

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      Community Partnerships

      Read the Weingart Center's coverage of recent visits from EiS students who are learning about interim housing solutions in Los Angeles.

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        DREAM
        Industry Mentorship Speaker Series

        DREAM connects students with experienced industry professionals from a variety of tech and destination companies who help them create a vision for their futures, align their careers around purpose, and build character in the context of growth, reinvention, and constant change. Industry mentors discuss how professional challenges present opportunities for character and leadership development.
        Contact Elisabeth Arnold Weiss to get involved
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        Recent Highlights

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        Read More →
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        Teaching the Whole Engineer with Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
        By The Virtuosity Podcast - Episode 11 
        Join Dr. Corey Crossan and Elisabeth Arnold Weiss to explore how character isn’t an “add-on” to engineering, but the accelerant that makes trustworthy technology and resilient people possible.
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        Into the ViterbiVerse
        By Jade Bahng
        Elisabeth Arnold Weiss injects VR and improv into her advanced writing classes, opening opportunities for learning and imagination.
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        The Classroom Innovators
        By USC Viterbi Staff
        These full-time teaching faculty are using everything from improv theatre to classroom polling to connect with USC Viterbi students
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        By Marc Ballon
        From Deep Sea Mining To Genetic Engineering
        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.
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        USC Viterbi to Launch New Program to Bring Engineering Education to Local Schools
        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.
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        What Makes a Good Engineer?
        By Marc Ballon
        The new Good Life Discussion Series allows USC Viterbi students to ask such big questions in a safe, supportive setting 
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        EiS Globally

        We offer 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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        Things We Learned In The Fires
        On May 6, ETHOS Live! returns with a timely and powerful conversation on disaster resilience. In the wake of the fires that swept through our region earlier this year, we’re bringing together emergency response leaders, engineers, scientists, and community partners for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how we prepare for and recover from crisis.
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        Published on February 23rd, 2017Last updated on September 9th, 2026