Prof.
Ashraf Ghaly considers engineering problems even in his sleep. The idea
for an unusual course called “Construction for Humanity” came to
him in a dream. Quite literally.
“I woke up thinking, “Why don't all buildings that serve
the same function look the same in different parts of the world?”
says the associate professor of civil engineering. “What is it that
affects the design of structures?”
So, Ghaly approached a colleague – historian Steve Sargent – whom
he knew was interested in Roman housing and medieval cathedrals.
The course – known simply as “C4H” – is an
interdisciplinary introduction to the technology of construction and the
social uses of building by humans. Students are asked to consider types of
building materials and their application to domestic housing, castles,
cathedrals, palaces, monuments, dams, bridges, tunnels, and skyscrapers.
Students also are asked to consider cultural, religious, social, natural,
and historical factors that determine the look, size, and shape of
structures.
“Human beings are never satisfied with the status quo,”
observes Sargent. “They like to exercise their ingenuity, their
creativity. They like to do things that others have not done. It's a
characteristic of human nature.”
The course was supported by a three-year grant of $500,000 from the new
National Science Foundation program “Awards for the Integration of
Research and Education (AIRE).”
According to Thomas Werner, who administers the AIRE grant, C4H
“fits very well into one of the grant's primary objectives:
bridging the gap between engineering and the liberal arts by developing
courses in technology for liberal arts students that are team taught by
engineering and liberal arts faculty.
“Steve and Ashraf are a good match,” observed Werner after
the pair gave a lecture at a faculty lunch on interdisciplinary courses
and technology. “It is a matter of matching personalities. Both are
effusive with gestures and body expression. The students enjoy the
show.”
Of his professors, Justin Golub '02, a biology major, said, “The
course is different in that two professors have a different view – Prof.
Ghaly looks at the technical, Prof. Sargent looks at the historical and
cultural aspects.”
Throughout the term, the professors lectured on 20 topics ranging from
pyramids to futuristic structures, making full use of the technology in
Olin 106. In one class, they showed slides of the Experience Music Project
in Seattle (under construction), which resembles a ball of crumpled paper.
Engineers had to use a robot sensor to take thousands of readings from a
scale model to create a digital map of the building, Ghaly explains.
At term's end, the students gave presentations on structures of their
choice.
Harry Robinson '02, a computer science major, presented the Frank
Lloyd Wright design for the Johnson Wax headquarters in Racine, Wis. Built
in 1939, it was one of the first corporate buildings to be considered a
work of art.
Chris Geraghty '02, an anthropology major, spoke about Fenway Park in
Boston, pointing out that it was designed with high walls to keep
non-paying spectators out and well-hit balls in.
“Unlike the anatomy of humans or animals, construction anatomy is
a never-ending evolution,” Ghaly says.
“This course provides an example of how technical and cultural
knowledge can be blended to appeal to all students and to get them to
appreciate factors that may initially seem unimportant or
irrelevant,” says Sargent. “It has changed the way I teach my
other courses. There is more participation, more emphasis on oral
presentation.”
“And it has enhanced the way I approach my engineering
classes,” adds Ghaly.