Understanding digital society and its challenges
An engineer’s effectiveness, whether as an expert, researcher, project leader, entrepreneur etc., is based not on their scientific and technical expertise, but also on their ability to analyze society and their skills in a wide range of communication situations (teamwork, meetings, reports, presentations, negotiations, etc.).
That’s why Télécom Paris places special emphasis on the humanities and social sciences, general culture and personal and professional skills in its engineering curriculum.
Economic and social sciences
Because Télécom Paris engineers must understand how digital technology is transforming the economy and society, the school offers courses in economics, law, design, digital marketing, digital sociology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and management.
Social sciences education and research are headed by the Economic and social sciences department with the professors, who are all researchers in their fields.
Personal and professional skills
To prepare our future engineers for the professional world, Télécom Paris helps them develop their interpersonal and communication skills, listening and dialogue skills, and their ability to resolve conflicts, which is hinged on a strong understanding of oneself and others. They also learn how to understand communication situations and find their place within an organizational environment.
Our future engineers’ personal and professional skills training includes:
- developing their communication skills in a professional situation
- providing keys for understanding work situations and encouraging them to reflect on their experience
- helping students determine their career plans
- developing their creative abilities
While they are optional for 1st-year students, two Personal and Professional Skills modules are required for 2nd and 3rd-year engineering students. These courses are divided into 4 subject areas:
- Communication (e.g. oral communication, self-assurance, train-the-trainer etc.)
- Cooperation and leadership (e.g. teamwork, working with other cultures, working in a network with new communication tools, leading a team etc.)
- Creativity (e.g. writing workshop, exploring an artistic practice, theater and improvisation etc.)
- Motivation (e.g. orientation, career plans, job hunting)
Law for digital engineers
Engineers must not only be able to design and implement technological solutions, but also understand the legal and ethical implications of their creations. In recent years, the legal environment applicable to digital technology has become increasingly complex, with more and more standards that are themselves increasingly technical and difficult to understand. Law courses aim to provide engineering students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate this complex landscape. They also aim to show students how engineers themselves contribute to the regulation of technologies and therefore act as “co-regulators” through their design choices and their involvement in the creation of norms. Law courses include introductions to artificial intelligence law, personal data protection, intellectual property, and cybersecurity.
Contemporary humanities
Contemporary humanities offer a multidisciplinary introduction to philosophy, humanities, and social sciences. The courses do not require any prerequisites or specific skills in the various disciplines offered: they are always introductory courses designed to quickly provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge. The instructor of each course adapts the content to the students based on their questions, difficulties, or, conversely, their ease with the subject matter. Topics covered include philosophy, psychoanalysis, architecture, musicology, and political science.
