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Technology, Innovation, and Culture in Germany

Technology, Innovation, and Culture in Germany
Location:
Germany - Frankfurt, Mainz, Darmstadt, Stuttgart, Reutlingen, Munich, Ingolstadt, Nuremberg
Term:
Maymester/Summer
Dates:
Sat, May 8 - Sun, May 23 2027
School/Department:
School of Engineering Technology
Credits:
3 credits (MFET 49900)
Estimated Cost:
$4,300

Program Description

This 2-week study abroad is built as a timeline of German innovation. Students trace the evolution of technology and industrial strategy from Gutenberg's printing press, through guild-era craftsmanship and 20th-century industrial rebuilding, to contemporary Industry 4.0 production systems. The organizing premise of the course is that technology is a cultural product: students examine how Germany's historical events, apprenticeship and Mittelstand traditions, regulatory environment, and cultural priorities produced a distinctive and durable model of industrial leadership.

Tentative Program Itinerary

  • Saturday, May 8th- Travel to Frankfurt, Germany
  • Sunday, May 9th- Arrive in Frankfurt, Train to Mainz, Gutenberg Museum, City Tour, Group Dinner
  • Monday, May 10th- Rittal Corporate HQ, Engineering Production Facility Tour, Innovation Showcase Workshop, R&D Center Walkthrough, Loh Auto Collection Private Tour, Group Dinner
  • Tuesday, May 11th- Rhine River Cruise, Lorelei Climb, Bobsledding, Group Dinner, Free Time
  • Wednesday, May 12th- Train to Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Museum, Group Dinner
  • Thursday, May 13th- Mercedes-Benz Production Tour, Group Lunch, Werk 150 Showcase, Group Dinner
  • Friday, May 14th- Reutlingen University Visit, Group Lunch, Smart Factory Workshop, Group Dinner
  • Saturday, May 15th- Free Day to Explore Stuttgart
  • Sunday, May 16th- Train to Munich, Walking Tour of Munich, Group Dinner
  • Monday, May 17th- Allianz Arena Operations Tour, Group Lunch, BMW Production Tour, Group Dinner
  • Tuesday, May 18th- Train to Nuremberg, Faber-Castell Production Tour, Nuremberg Trials Courthouse/Museum, Nuremberg Caves/Bunker Tour, Train to Munich, Group Dinner
  • Wednesday, May 19th- Munich University of Applied Sciences Tour, Ayinger Brewery Production Tour, Group Dinner
  • Thursday, May 20th- Charter Bus to Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein Castle Tour, Group Lunch, Zugspitze Cable Car to Summit, Zugspitze Engineering Workshop, Charter Bus to Munich, Group Dinner
  • Friday, May 21st- E-Bike in English Garden, Group Lunch, Deutsches Museum, Group DInner
  • Saturday, May 22nd- Free Day to Explore, Group Dinner
  • Sunday, May 23rd- Program Concludes and Departure

Program flyer

Contact program leader Grant Richards via email with your questions.