Departments & Programs

Political and Civic Engagement

Course Descriptions


  • PACE–C 210 Public Leadership in America (3 cr.) S & H Interdisciplinary introduction to the role of leadership and individual action in American political and civic life, from local communities to the nation's capital. Students will research, compare and analyze different leadership styles and individual leaders as well as begin to develop their own leadership skills and interests.
  • PACE–C 211 Public Decision Making in America (3 cr.) S & H Interdisciplinary introduction to public decision making in the United States from local communities to the nation's capital, including theories, key sites of political and civic action, and case studies. Students will also be introduced to the primary skills of effective engagement in political and civic discussion, deliberation, advocacy, and action.
  • PACE–C 300 Issues in Political and Civic Engagement (3 cr.) Intensive study and analysis of selected political or civic engagement issues. Topics will vary and will be listed in the online Schedule of Classes. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • PACE–C 400 Issues Forum (1 cr.) P: C210 and C211 and consent of program. PACE leadership and decision making activity structured as a one-day forum to develop a solution to a particular problem. Students take on the organization and preparation before the forum and write an analysis and position statement afterward.
  • PACE–C 410 Internship in Political and Civic Engagement (1–6 cr.) P: C210 and C211, 6 credit hours of PACE electives, and consent of program. Students will complete a mentored internship providing field experience in political and civic action, research, and/or decision making. Includes an orientation session before and a structured evaluation afterward. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours.
  • PACE–C 420 Readings and Research in Political and Civic Engagement (1–6 cr.) P: C210 and C211, acceptance into PACE certificate program, and consent of faculty supervisor. Independent readings and research project under the supervision of an approved faculty mentor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • PACE–C 450 Capstone Seminar (1–3 cr.) P: Consent of PACE program. Required capstone seminar for students who have completed all other certificate requirements. Provides students with the opportunity to integrate academic study, experiential learning, and co-curricular activities, to demonstrate understanding of American political and civic life, and to document individual learning and development.