This interdisciplinary course introduces students to Contextual Engineering—an approach that evaluates social, cultural, political, and economic factors to determine whether a technological intervention is appropriate for a specific community. Through a detailed case study based in rural Nigeria, students will explore how factors such as education levels, mechanical proficiency, and local governance impact the design, implementation, and success of engineering solutions. Ideal for students interested in global development, sustainability, or engineering design, this course emphasizes how contextual awareness can significantly improve adoption and outcomes of technical projects.
This course satisfies General Education requirements in:
- Non-Western Cultural Studies
- Behavioral Sciences
ABE 232 / AFST 233: Context in International Interventions
CRNs: ABE 232 – 75460 | AFST 233 – 75542
Fall 2025 | TR, 12:30–1:50 p.m. | 3 credit hours
Instructor: Dr. Ann-Perry Witmer | awitmer@illinois.edu
