Defining the Discipline
Political Science, known as Government at Harvard, is fundamentally the study of the structure and dynamics of human interaction. A conceptually broad field, it supports diverse approaches to answering wide-ranging questions.
Writing in Government
Scholars and students share arguments and insights primarily in written form. Communication in our discipline demands clarity, precision and a familiarity with evidentiary norms and expectations that may differ from those of other fields.
Collaborating with Others
A growing trend in political science, working together frequently leads to synergistic and exciting results. It is critical students understand when collaboration may be fruitful and appropriate—and when it is not.
Working with Integrity
Academics always stand on the shoulders of others, and scholarly integrity is vital to our trade. It is important to understand why we acknowledge previous work and to consider the ethical dimensions of how we produce knowledge.