Departments & Programs

Political and Civic Engagement

Introduction

The Political and Civic Engagement program (PACE) offers an interdisciplinary, 25-credit certificate program. It combines academic study with hands-on learning to provide students with an education in democratic citizenship. The PACE certificate prepares students to make a difference through active engagement in the creative conflict of American political and civic life. Students learn to seek out various perspectives, engage in dialogue, analyze the effectiveness of policies, and take principled stands on vital public issues. They also explore the relationship between theory and practice, develop informed critiques of political and civic institutions, practice collective decision-making, work with those who hold opposing views, and devise effective solutions to public problems.

Through academic and co-curricular experiences, students learn how to engage in a wide range of political and civic activities: advocacy groups; nonprofit agencies; political campaigns; branches of local, state, and national government; community organizations; and the media. PACE prepares students to enter work in political and civic organizations right after graduation and to pursue post-graduate education in law, public policy, the media, and kindred fields. It also enhances the education of students headed toward careers in other areas such as health care or the arts who want to be engaged citizens.

Co-curricular activities are critical to PACE’s goal of developing students’ political and civic knowledge and skills. They range from formal lectures and panels to informal lunches with individuals with a wide variety of political and civic experiences. PACE students also engage in debates, election-watching parties, program retreats, blogs, roundtable discussions, and other activities designed to enhance their academic and experiential learning.

• Faculty
• Admission
• Courses
• Certificate
• Electives

Contact Information

Political and Civic Engagement
Indiana University
004C, Franklin Hall
Bloomington, IN 47405

(812) 856-1747
pace [at] indiana [dot] edu

http://www.pace.indiana.edu