USC Viterbi | Engineering in Society Program

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.

Engineering in Society Program from USC Viterbi on Vimeo.

EiS Student Voices

"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

"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

"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

"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

2,000+

EiS students reached per year

120+

Community impact projects to date

164,858

Illumin magazine readership in 2022

Global destinations to date

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Recent Highlights

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

Into the ViterbiVerse

By Jade Bahng

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

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

From Deep Sea Mining To Genetic Engineering

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.

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.

MORE VITERBI NEWS

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.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Engineering Students Explore Berlin, Spring 2023

Engineering in Society: Exploring Past, Present and Future in Berlin from USC Viterbi on Vimeo.

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.

EiS Initiatives

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

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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.

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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.

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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 Magazine

Viterbi Conversations in Ethics Magazine

An educational forum for reasoned, informed, and relevant discussion of engineering ethics.

More info

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

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.

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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

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Upcoming Events

OCTOBER 10, 2023 @ 4PM
USC Brain and Creativity Institute's Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall

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.

Upcoming Events

Feb01Sun

Upcoming Events

Viterbi Calendar Testing

Viterbi Calendar Testing

Viterbi Calendar Testing