PACON
The PACON explores these questions and many others like them in pursuit of an interdisciplinary perspective on American public policy. The PACON goes beyond the political tug of war to explore the roots of contemporary controversies in historical debates and ideals, and to develop the complex relationship between the moral, theoretical, and scientific dimensions of public affairs.
Two Course Sequence + Funded Internship Opportunity:
- Open to all first year students, regardless of anticipated major.
- (Fall) Public Affairs I – Foundational Debates: Considers core contested ideals during the founding of the republic such as freedom, equality, democracy, authority, community
- (Spring) Public Affairs II – Contemporary Controversies: Approaches contemporary issues such as gun rights, abortion, affirmative action, healthcare reform, immigration, and free speech from an interdisciplinary perspective
- Funded Internship Opportunity (Up to $4500.00): Completed in the summer immediately following the program in the first year–or during the January semester of the sophomore year–at an organization of the student’s choosing.
- FYS – Foundational Debates; and – Contemporary Controversies; WRR
- Note: Only by taking the full two-course sequence do students get access to the internship funds + all of the following GE’s – FYS, WRR.
Note: the video below, while several years old and containing former instructors and leaders, still gives a sense of the program and its aims. Look for an update in the coming year!
Fall Semester
PACON 180–Foundational Debates: This course examines American ideals and the tensions among them, ideals such as freedom, community, equality, democracy, justice, responsibility, and authority. The course analyzes the political, economic, moral, and religious dimensions of the debates and decisions that continue to shape American society. It considers classic founding documents, ideas that influenced the founders, and the major thinkers and events relevant to understanding the diverse range of models for government, markets, and society.
Spring Semester
PACON 181–Contemporary Controversies: This contemporary public affairs course examines ethical 
commitments and empirical evidence relevant to the workings of government, markets, and society as applied to contemporary issues. Possible topics include immigration, abortion, education, sexuality, medical care, foreign policy, income inequality and poverty, affirmative action, and responses to climate change. (GEs: EIN, HBS, WRI)