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Meeting the Subfield Requirements

Every Government concentrator is required to take one course in each of the 4 subfields of political science (American politics, international relations, political theory, and comparative politics). Please follow the instructions below to find a list of courses that meet these requirements: 

Political Thought and Its History 

  • Course search in my.harvard this exact phrase: “theory_subfield” 
  • Most courses listed under this designation in the on-line catalog (numbered 1030–1099 and 2030–2099) plus cross-listed courses only if taught by a Government faculty member.
  • Also certain Gov undergraduate seminars in political theory, upon petition to the Gov coordinator. 
  • Also Gen Ed courses taught by Gov faculty in Political Theory (e.g. Gen Ed 1058). 

Comparative Government 

  • Course search in my.harvard this exact phrase: “comparative_subfield” 
  • Any course listed under this designation in the on-line catalog (numbered 1100–1299 and 2100–2299) plus cross-listed courses only if taught by a Government faculty member.
  • Also certain Gov undergraduate seminars in comparative politics, upon petition to the Gov coordinator. 
  • Also Gen Ed courses taught by Gov faculty in Comparative Politics (e.g., Gen Ed 1008). 

American Government, Public Law and Administration 

  • Course search in my.harvard this exact phrase: “american_subfield” 
  • Any course listed under this designation in the on-line catalog (numbered 1300–1599 and 2300–2599) plus cross-listed courses only if taught by a Government faculty member.
  • Also certain Gov undergraduate seminars in American politics, upon petition to the Gov coordinator. 
  • Also Gen Ed courses taught by Gov faculty in American Politics (e.g., Gen Ed 1052). 

International Relations 

  • Course search in my.harvard this exact phrase: “IR_subfield” 
  • Any course listed under this designation in the on-line catalog (1700–1999 and 2700–2999) plus cross-listed courses only if taught by a Government faculty member.
  • Also certain Gov undergraduate seminars in IR, upon petition to the Gov coordinator. 
  • Also Gen Ed courses taught by Gov faculty in IR (e.g., Gen Ed 1119). 

Please note: 

(1) Do not assume that any cross-listed course listed in the catalog counts for the subfield under which it is listed. Only those courses taught by a Government faculty member may count for a subfield. 

(2) Subfield courses must be taken for a grade. Freshman seminars may count only for Gov elective credit, not subfield credit.