Enhancing student learning through international university-industry cooperation: the GO GREEN course

This article describes a partnership between a US institution, a German institution, and several German industries for the purpose of teaching an interdisciplinary, international course which emphasizes sustainability, globalization, and different cultures and their integration into the engineering and engineering technology curriculum. The course, entitled GO GREEN (Green Organizations: Global Responsibility for Environmental and Economic Necessity), employs experiential learning activities that would be impossible if not for the cooperation and generosity of the German industry partners. A conceptual framework for the course is presented; reasons for involving German industry partners in teaching sustainability and globalization are explained; course development and planning processes are discussed; delivery and implementation strategies are highlighted; and the evaluation framework is articulated. Issues and considerations for course replication are included at the conclusion of the article.