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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information, please review the draft syllabus on the course Canvas site or email undergrad@gov.harvard.edu with any questions.
To find out more about the Senior Capstone, watch our video asking students why they chose the Capstone project and how they found the process: