Dept. of Scienece, Technology, & Society -- About Page -- Faculty in the department are close to the point of the knowledge production they study while, at the same time, they are partners in engineering education.

Freshmen are required to take STS 101. Course description -- Introduces the nature of engineering knowledge and practice; the influential role of engineering in shaping the world; and the ways in which social institutions, practices, and values influence engineers' work. A variety of readings explore these topics. Framed as an introduction to the profession, the course promotes students' abilities in creative and critical thinking and their skills in communications used in engineering practice, including oral presentations, written proposals, technical descriptions, memoranda, and abstracts. Drawing on a range of sources, students also complete a substantial research project that integrates course topics. 3 credits. Undergraduate Engineering students are also required to choose one of the 200-level STS courses which also emphasize communication skills.

U.Va.-SEAS also offers a number of Technology, Communication, and Culture courses including TCC 101 --
Language Communication and the Technological Society. Course description -- Introduces the uses of language (technical, persuasive, and expressive) stressing its relevance to professionalism in engineering and applied science. Student participation in the Research Interview Project serves as the context for writing memoranda, abstracts, and technical proposals, as well as preparing oral presentations of technical material for a variety of audiences. In addition, frequent short written and oral presentations are based on readings in a variety of modes of communication. See http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/records/98ugradrec/chapter10/uchap10-4.16.html