University of Mount Union
AC-5: Immersive Experience

There are three programs Social Responsibility and Well being is s full semester class that offers students an immersive experience in a developing country working directly with people there to solve some of their needs (building latrines, housing, water supply) The Wilderness is an immersive experience in the Adirondacks that is coupled with reflections on the value of wilderness. it is linked to an course in Environmental Ethics International Engineering is in immersive experience for engineering students who travel to t developing country to assist in the design and construction of cost-effective and sustainable infra structure such as water and waste water treatment systems

PSY 350 Social Responsibility and Personal Well-Being. This is an experientially-based course that looks at what it means to operate in a socially responsible manner in today’s world. It is assumed that service and other forms of helping behavior can be a significant component of social responsibility and so the class discusses service extensively and provides both local and international opportunities for service. One of these service components involves a week-long Spring Break service project in a third world country. In addition to service, the course examines such concepts as sustainability (environmental, economic and social), responsible consumer behavior, economic fairness and social justice. By examining these issues and participating in the service projects, it is hoped that students emerge committed to living in a more socially responsible way. PHL 291 The Wilderness. This course will focus on the nature and value of the wilderness. Is there an ethical obligation to preserve wilderness areas? How can humans visit and use wilderness areas responsibly? Students will participate in an extended trip to a wilderness area and will engage in service learning, discussion, and reflection activities exploring the nature and value of the wilderness and problems associated with wilderness preservation. Prerequisite: permission of instructor EGE 320 International Engineering Field Experience. This course will provide the student with an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and international exposure to engineering projects, specifically projects in the developing world. The course will expose students to the grand challenges of engineering and the need for various stakeholders (engineers, scientists, policy-makers, etc,) to collaborate and to develop, test, and implement innovative, appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.