The Government Sophomore Tutorial takes an innovative approach to introducing sophomores to research in political science. Students choose a topic of interest while building on a common curriculum of learning how to write a research prospectus. The topics for Spring 2026 will be released shortly; the topics from last year are listed below for your reference.
Logistics of Enrolling and Entering Section Preferences:
Sophomores (and other Government concentrators who haven’t yet taken Gov 97) should register for the course on my.harvard during the spring registration period (November 5-19, 2026). In Spring 2026, Gov 97 will meet on Mondays, 3-5pm, and Tuesdays, 9:45-11:45am. Students will be sectioned to one of those time blocks based on their preferences, so please make sure you plan your schedule to be free during at least one of those times (preferably both).
Topics for Gov 97 Last Year (Spring 2025):
Click here for fuller descriptions of the topics offered in Spring 2025.
| Section | Topic | Instructor | Day | Time |
| D001 | The Mysteries of Public Opinion | Matthew Dardet | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D002 | The Mysteries of Public Opinion | Matthew Dardet | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D003 | Political Geography | Noah Dasanaike | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D004 | Political Geography | Noah Dasanaike | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D005 | Place, Race, and Power | Brian Highsmith | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D006 | Place, Race, and Power | Brian Highsmith | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D007 | What’s Love Got to Do With It? Plato’s Symposium and Feminist Theory | Abbie LeBlanc | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D008 | What’s Love Got to Do With It? Plato’s Symposium and Feminist Theory | Abbie LeBlanc | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D009 | Economic Statecraft: Geopolitics and the Global Economy | Taegyun Lim | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D010 | Democracy in Peril: Populism, Authoritarianism, and Political Parties in the U.S. & Europe | Ben TerMaat | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D011 | Democracy in Peril: Populism, Authoritarianism, and Political Parties in the U.S. & Europe | Ben TerMaat | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D012 | Comparing Societies: Cross Cultural Approaches to Politics | Julio Solis Arce | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D013 | Comparing Societies: Cross Cultural Approaches to Politics | Julio Solis Arce | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D014 | Intergroup Cleavages and the Politics of Inequality | Kiara Hernandez | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D015 | Intergroup Cleavages and the Politics of Inequality | Kiara Hernandez | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |
| D016 | Changing the Climate: How to Make Public Policy | Brandon Martinez | M | 3:00-5:00 p.m. |
| D017 | Changing the Climate: How to Make Public Policy | Brandon Martinez | Tu | 9:45-11:45 a.m. |