Navigating the Realm of Politics: A Guide to Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College's Government and Legal Studies program, often referred to as political science at other institutions, offers a comprehensive exploration into the intricate world of politics. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and engage with the mechanisms by which societies address collective challenges and strive for the common good.

A Broad Introduction to Political Science

The Government and Legal Studies major at Bowdoin provides a broad introduction to the art and science of politics. It delves into the mechanisms by which human beings solve collective problems and pursue the common good. The curriculum encompasses the diverse subfields of contemporary political science, including American politics, political theory, comparative politics (with regional coverage of much of the globe), and international relations.

Subfields of Study

The program delves into the core subfields of political science, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge:

American Politics: Explores the intricacies of the American political system, including its institutions, political behavior, and the forces that shape public policy. Courses in this subfield may include offerings in political institutions and behavior and US law.
Political Theory: Engages with fundamental questions about justice, ethics, and the nature of the state, examining the ideas of influential political thinkers throughout history. The courses range from broad surveys (Classical Political Philosophy, Modern Political Philosophy, Contemporary Political Philosophy, American Political Thought) to thematic courses (Liberalism and Its Critics, Religion and Politics, Eros and Politics) to advanced seminars on individual thinkers (e.g. Jefferson, Nietzsche, Rousseau, Tocqueville).
Comparative Politics: Focuses on power and decision-making within national boundaries: the rules and institutions that govern states and the social groups they comprise. It examines the diverse political systems and cultures across the globe, seeking to understand the factors that contribute to political stability, change, and conflict.
International Relations: Investigates the interactions between states and other actors in the international arena, exploring issues such as war, peace, diplomacy, and global governance. Courses in this subfield may include offerings in international law and political economy.

These subfields may include offerings in political institutions and behavior, US and international law, public policy (including environmental politics), political economy, and the qualitative and quantitative methods used in the discipline.

Curriculum Structure and Requirements

The Government and Legal Studies major consists of nine courses, while the minor requires five courses from at least three of the departmental subfields. A grade of C- or better must be earned in a course to fulfill major or minor requirements.

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A total of two credits from outside Bowdoin can normally be applied to the government major, only one of which can be applied (as a Level B course) to a subfield requirement, in any of the four subfields. If applicable, a second credit can be applied to the government major, as a Level B elective course only. Only one semester of independent study work, at any level (intermediate or advanced), may count toward the major or minor. No major or minor credit is given for AP scores.

Students who received a minimum score of four on the US Government AP exam or the Comparative Government AP exam are eligible to receive up to one general credit toward the degree after completing a Level B course in government and legal studies in the same subfield as the AP exam and earning a minimum grade of B-. Applicable subfield course numbers are: for American Politics (GOV 2000-2199, 2700-2799); for Comparative Politics (GOV 2300-2599). If a student has scores for more than one exam, only one total credit will be awarded.

Students take courses in each of the subfields, choosing to concentrate in one- study that may culminate in an optional, substantial honors project.

Developing Essential Skills

As a "Gov" major, students gain substantive knowledge of government and politics and the skills to critically analyze and debate both timeless and contemporary issues of public policy. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Students learn to:

Critically analyze readings in government and politics.
Articulate a clear thesis, support it with logic and evidence, and present it in clear, grammatically correct prose.
Read and evaluate a text.
Solve problems to address some of society’s most urgent concerns, from polarization and gridlock to low rates of political participation and the spread of political disinformation.

Students read, write, research, present, and persuade, honing their abilities to engage in informed and effective political discourse.

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Opportunities for Independent Study and Honors

Students in the department who become interested in a specific area of research may wish to work on an independent study or an honors project. Students should consult with a professor to make arrangements for an independent study at least one semester in advance; professors are limited in the number of projects they can direct each year.

The department considers the honors paper an important challenge and stimulation to its students. A committee of faculty works closely with students in assisting them to pursue manageable topics and to obtain necessary research materials. Details of the honors program are provided at a meeting of interested seniors in early September. Students seeking to graduate with honors in government and legal studies must petition the department. Interested students should contact the honors director for specific details. Only one semester of independent study work, at any level (intermediate or advanced), may count toward the major or minor. Therefore, graduation with honors normally requires a student to complete at least ten courses in the department.

Course Offerings

The department offers a variety of courses designed to introduce students to or extend their knowledge of a particular aspect of government and legal studies. Courses range from the more introductory to the more advanced. Registration is normally limited to thirty-five students in each course. Courses provide seniors and juniors, with appropriate background, the opportunity to do advanced work within a specific subfield. Registration is limited to fifteen students in each seminar. These courses are not open to first-year students.

Introductory Courses: GOV 1100 Introduction to American Government, GOV 1400 Introduction to Comparative Government, and GOV 1600 Introduction to International Relations are large lecture courses, limited to fifty students in each, and designed to provide a substantive introduction to American politics, comparative politics, or international relations, respectively. These courses are intended for first-year students and sophomores.
First-Year Writing Seminars: All first-year writing seminars offered by the department are designed to provide an introduction to a particular aspect of government and legal studies. Students are encouraged to analyze and discuss important political concepts and issues, while developing research and writing skills.

Exploring Specific Areas of Focus

Within the broader field of government and legal studies, students can delve into specific areas of interest:

American Politics: Institutional studies focus on how rules and enduring governing structures shape political processes and outcomes. Behavioral analyses examine how individuals-from activists to the general public-think about and engage in political activity. No single methodological approach to the study of American politics is adopted.
Comparative Politics: As a method, comparative political science strives to make propositions that can be tested empirically, through qualitative or quantitative analysis, and that hold validity across all systems or within well-defined limits.

Departmental Objectives

The department seeks to graduate students who can describe in analytical terms the actions undertaken by political actors in the domestic and international arenas. A capstone seminar in their concentrated subfield will be the principal course used to assess the degree to which this disciplinary learning objective has been met.

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Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Students may elect to major in government and legal studies or to coordinate a major in government and legal studies with digital and computational studies, education, or environmental studies. Students pursuing a coordinate major may not normally elect a second major.

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