New course bridges cultural gap for engineering majors

A new partnership between the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University is bridging the cultural gap that many international students experience when they arrive in a new country.

Recognizing that strong writing and communication skills are crucial to student achievement in college and beyond, the engineering schools approached the English Department for assistance in helping its international students better succeed.

In response, the English Department established FSE 194 English for Engineering, a pilot course designed specifically for this group of students to learn important academic writing techniques, for engineers, citation styles in engineering research and working effectively in teams on writing projects, as well as become familiar with American and ASU culture. It will complement the required Introduction to Engineering (FSE 100) and First Year Composition (Eng 107) courses that first-year engineering students must take.

“This type of course can provide our international colleagues with not just enhanced skills, but can expand their comfort zone by helping forge connections to their immediate cultural environment, and thereby allowing them to better flourish,” said Mark Lussier, professor and chair of English.

Two pilot sections of the course are currently being offered this spring. Those interested in learning more about the course offerings can view the complete schedule here.