Global Humanitarian Engineering Emphasis (GHEE)

Overview

The Global Humanitarian Engineering Emphasis program is designed to be a transformative complement to the engineering education a student receives at Walla Walla University, impacting them personally and professionally by

  • Exposing them to new ideas about culture and society, and their place in it;
  • Engaging them in real-world projects and experiences that demand skillful leadership, hard work, and diplomacy;
  • Challenging them to think critically about responsible development practices;
  • Connecting them with resources that help them build industry connections and experience;
  • Developing their cross-cultural communications skills.

This program aims to engage all of its students deeply, fostering a focused community that actively learns, grows and serves together. When the requirements for the emphasis are met, the words Global Humanitarian Engineering Emphasis will appear on the student's transcript and diploma.

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Emphasis Requirements

This emphasis is open to students pursuing a BSE or a Bioengineering Science degree. A student must complete at least 20 credits of course work, as outlined below under "Course Requirements." Furthermore, they must complete an international experience according to one of the following options outlined under "International Experience."

Course Requirements

Engineering (6 credits)  [Core Classes]

ENGR 293

GHEE Seminar I

1

ENGR 493

GHEE Seminar II

1

ENGR 3901

Engineering in a Global Context

4

ENGR 393

International Experience

0

Religion (3-4 credits)

RELH 303

World Religions

4

RELM 233

Intro to Cross-Cultural Ministry

3

HONR 348

Topics in World Religious Thought

4

Ethics (4 credits)

RELT 348

Christian Ethics

4

GBUS 463

Business Ethics

4

PHIL 305

Moral Philosophy*

4

Culture and Business [2] (7-8 credits)

COMM 325

Multicultural Communication

3

ANTH 225

Cultural Anthropology

4

SOCI 234

Current Social Problems

4

SOCI 236

Privilege and Oppression

4

SOCI 420

Immigration and Identity*

4

TECH 321

Technology and Society*

4

LANG 406

Language and Culture

4

MGMT 380

Principles of Project Management

4

MGMT 488

Global Management and Marketing

4

ECON 220

Principles of Global Development

4

Italics indicate classes that can apply to Engineering General Studies Requirements (AKA,"double-dip" classes). 

*Indicates there are prerequisites. See bulletin for details.

[1] Also available as GBUS 390.

[2] At least one class from the Culture and Business category must be a “Culture-Centered” class such as COMM 325, ANTH 225, SOCI 234,SOCI 236, SOCI 420, TECH 321 or LANG 406.

(Two quarters of seminar are required, one prior to the international experience and one after. Topics classes or other appropriate classes may be substituted for classes in the religion, culture and business, or ethics requirements if approved by the Global Humanitarian Engineering Committee.)

International Experience

  1. A study experience in an international context (ACA, Study Abroad, etc.). 
  2. A work or service experience in an international context (EWB, SM, Maranatha, Peace Corps, Non-Governmental Organization, etc.). Consult with the emphasis advisor.

Plans for the international experience must be pre-approved by the GHEE committee.


FAQ

  • Can I use credits that I did not earn at WWU? Yes, provided that they are relevant and transfer to WWU, and are approved by the GHEE committee.
  • How many additional credits beyond the BSE are required? If a student chooses their general studies electives carefully, there would be a minimum of 6 non-overlapping credits a student must complete beyond the BSE requirements to meet the requirements for this emphasis.
  • Still have questions? Contact David Lopez, Director, Center for Humanitarian Engagement at david.lopez@wallawalla.edu.

 

Pictures from EWB-WWU's Peru Project

(One of many ways GHEE students gain international experience!)

2017 - Japura Solar Energy Project (Best Pics)