Global Awareness and Regional Challenges

Course Descriptions 

Prerequisites: AECH1100, COMM1020

Management is an integral part of engineering and technical work. This course introduces essential leadership concepts and management principles to students in engineering fields. Leadership theories and styles are explored with students to establish a foundation of knowledge and understanding that guides future practice. Role-play, case studies, and real-life examples are employed to support students in acquiring necessary management practices of effective leaders such as team and group goal development, performance monitoring, conflict resolution, and effective communication skills. Through a variety of lectures and group discussions, students acquire the necessary knowledge of leadership theories and practices.

Prerequisites: AECH1100

Engineering design, operation and maintenance of systems and components need to consider sustainability and alternative sources of energy. This course presents an overview of renewable energy resources, introduces current and emerging technologies to exploit these resources, and places these technologies in context with environmental, political, and economic constraints in the context of sustainability. The course explores society’s present needs and future energy demands, examines conventional energy sources and systems, including fossil fuels. Alternate, renewable energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal, hydro energy (conservation), solar and biomass energy conversion methods are emphasized. Through a variety of lectures and group discussions, students acquire the necessary knowledge and considerations of sustainable and renewable systems.

This course provides an introduction to the field of global or international economics. Students learn how the world economy functions by first surveying the basic economic concepts that drive the global economy. Students then learn about the organizations and agreements that facilitate global effectiveness. There are also opportunities to reflect and debate on the major economic benefits globalization provides to people and nations, as well as the most serious problems it causes. The course is delivered in a practical way that even students with little background in business or economics can easily understand. Real-world case studies, current news, videos, lectures, and group activities ensure the course is relevant and valuable to students.

History shapes beliefs, our understanding of events and their causes, and provides the context for future actions. This course familiarizes students with the major events and influences that led to the formation of Qatar as an independent state in 1971. Also covered is the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council and how the complex diplomatic relations among member states influences the economic development of Qatar. Through the perspective of socio-political history, this course examines the modernization of Qatar as a richly diverse, multi-cultural society.

This course will introduce students to the history and ongoing efforts for development in Qatar. The course also covers international and regional perspectives, putting Qatar’s experience within the broader context of human development across the world..

It is important that students understand the nexus between globalization and the environment as many of our contemporary challenges relate to it. This interdisciplinary course examines multiple perspectives on ecological, social, political, cultural, and economic drivers. Students embark on a multi-level analysis of diverse topics such as international cooperation, the global economy, science and technology and the context of Qatar. Along with participation in debates and quizzes, students plan and execute a small project related to one of the primary case studies that is explored throughout the semester.