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Program Overview
Introduction to the Senior Capstone Project
The Senior Capstone (GOV 98) offers an extraordinary learning opportunity for students interested in developing a capstone project centered on practical, real-world policy analysis. This course is especially well-suited for students who want to write a policy-oriented thesis; the capstone works better for those seeking hands-on experience and is a great option for students who may not be interested in staying in academia after graduation.
Course Overview
Class meetings guide students through key stages of policy development, including proposal writing, stakeholder analysis, and research methods. Peer review and formal presentations help students refine their analytical and communication skills. By the end of the course, students will have produced actionable policy analysis with real-world applications.
Eligibility and Ideal Candidates
Government 98 is open to all seniors pursuing the Government concentration or secondary field. It is particularly ideal for students in the public policy program or anyone looking to engage in substantive research that culminates in a tangible project, but who feels that the senior thesis may be too great an undertaking. The capstone allows you to end your senior year with a meaningful and rigorous project that is less time intensive than the year-long senior honors thesis.
Transitioning from Senior Thesis to Capstone
If you begin the senior thesis in the fall but decide it’s not the right fit for you, you can easily transition to the capstone by the end of the semester and start your capstone project in the spring when the course begins.
Benefits of the Senior Capstone
For students seeking a rewarding, policy-oriented alternative to the thesis – one tailored to both future policymakers and those seeking applied skills – the Senior Capstone is an excellent choice.
Senior Capstone Project Details
- Sample projects
- Undergraduate Poster Session
- Senior Capstone FAQ
Programs of Study
The Department of Government offers various programs of study, including:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Thought and Its History
- Quantitative Methodology
- Formal Theory
- Data Science
- Tech Science
- Tech Science Requirements and Course Options
- Political Economy
- Public Policy
- Law and Justice
Academics
Concentration Requirements
- Gov 97: The Sophomore Tutorial in Government
- Methods Requirement and Course Sequencing
- Gov 94 Seminars
- Subfield Requirements
- Elective Requirements
- Courses at the Harvard Kennedy School
Gen Ed Courses for Government Credit
Joint Concentration
Secondary Field
Summer School Policy
FAQ
Concentration Advising
Meet the Director of Undergraduate Studies
Concentration Advisers
Peer Concentration Counselors
For Sophomores
For Juniors
For Seniors
Leaving & Returning to Harvard
Honors & Theses
Finding an Advisor
Thesis Timeline
Funding Resources
IRB Approval
Theses for Joint Concentrations
Theses from Previous Years
Senior Thesis Symposium
The Process for Determining Honors
Honors FAQ
Study Abroad, Research & Internships
Study Abroad
Research Opportunities
Experiential Study
Internships
Alumni Voices
Academia
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Education
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Courses
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For First-Year Students
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Undergraduate Calendar
Undergraduate Events
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Graduate Student Awards
Undergraduate Awards
Welcome from the Chair
Why the Department of Government
Administrative Offices
Key Documents
- TF Payment Information
