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Details
Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Major
International Relations | Political Sciences and Civics
Area of study
Social Sciences
Course Language
English
About Program

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

Business

Education

Government

Law

Media

Military

Medicine

Courses

Program Contacts

For First-Year Students

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Calendar

Undergraduate Events

Department Life

Department Events

Graduate Student Awards

Undergraduate Awards

Welcome from the Chair

Why the Department of Government

Administrative Offices

Key Documents

  • TF Payment Information

Research Spotlight

Recent Book Publications

Featured Faculty Research

Featured Graduate Research

Placement History

See More