The Presidential Seminar is committed to establishing an intentional conversation throughout the campus and between the campus and surrounding communities on the questions of personal and institutional civic responsibility. The Presidential Seminar consists of multiple interrelated components.

1. The instructional seminar, which includes students, Professor Kenneth Sacks, and invited public servants from the Rhode Island community, explores the values inherent within liberal education and the ways that academic institutions and its members contribute to the public good.
2. The evening panel discussion, involving Brown and wider communities, featuring distinguished experts, who also participate in the afternoon instructional seminar.
3. Outreach to general public through interactive Web site.
4. Action-research project that derives from the seminar.
5. Outreach to all students through faculty fellow study breaks, dorm-based discussions, and other community-building institutions.
6. Outreach to faculty through various faculty collegia and fora.
7. Outreach to Rhode Island, through participation of public schools and community organizations.
8. Outreach to alumni, through web access and alumni magazine coverage.
9. Outreach to Brown Corporation, by making materials available for meetings and retreats.