Government

F&M’s Department of Government has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the country. You may either major in government or create a joint major by combining the field with public health or public policy. You’ll study the processes by which societies make collective decisions, explore the theoretical and ethical foundations of political action, raise critical questions about the nature and use of power, and examine how societies and international systems attempt to address basic problems of liberty, equity and order. 

Your learning won’t take place solely in the classroom; you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself directly in the political environment through internships, civic activism, off-campus study, and service-learning. Through independent and collaborative learning, you’ll develop skills in language, economics, mathematics and philosophy — all while developing skills of sound research, rigorous analysis, and clear and effective argumentation.

By the time you graduate, you will: 

• Effectively describe, critique and apply various theories for understanding political processes and outcomes in a domestic, comparative and international context.
• Be able to critically connect political events with course material.
• Think conceptually about politics and immerse yourself in your political environment through internships, civic activism, off-campus study and service-learning.

Curious what government classes are like? Take a look at our course catalog to see the depth and breadth of what’s available to you. 

The Department of Government has a long tradition of encouraging students’ intellectual growth through internships, networking, off-campus study, independent research and more. Our goal is to provide close supervision and mentoring to you in the classroom and around the world.

Research Opportunities

Do you want to dive into a U.S. Supreme Court case? Or compare American and international approaches to cybersecurity? You can at F&M. As you explore all that a government major has to offer, you’ll discover areas or ideas you want to further explore. The good news? You won’t have to wait until graduate school to launch your investigation.
Explore research at F&M

Internships

Internships allow you to explore fields and job functions of interest, building your portfolio while shaping and inspiring your path in both expected and unexpected ways. Recent government majors have secured internships with: 

• Members of Congress
• The White House
• The Federal Reserve
• Local and state governments
• The U.S. Department of State
• Television and print media outlets
• Policy institutes

In November, current government students can also apply for a Sidney Wise Public Service Internship, which provides paid internships through a competitive selection process.
Explore internships at F&M

Off-Campus Study

At F&M, government majors have extraordinary opportunities to study in the U.S. and abroad. In recent years, students have completed internship programs at American University in Washington, D.C. and in London, and Bath, England; conducted research on migration and borders in southern Mexico; and taken politics and international relations courses in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Spain, and at various universities in the United Kingdom, including the prestigious University of St. Andrews. You, too, can make study abroad integral to your experiences and research.
Explore off-campus study at F&M

The Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers

The Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers comprises the F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights (GBGR (R)), the Global Barometer of Transgender Rights (GBTR (TM)) and the F&M Global Barometers LGBTQI+ Perception Index (GBPI). Together, these barometers provide groundbreaking research on the state of LGBT+ human rights in 204 countries and territories. Founded in 2010 by government professor, Dr. Susan Dicklitch-Nelson, the barometers generate annual report cards detailing the state-and societal-level protection or persecution of LGBT+ minorities worldwide.

Learn more

 

By majoring in government at F&M, you’ll gain a holistic outlook that provides a strong background in critical thinking, analysis, writing, and public presentation — skills in high demand in any post-graduate pursuit.

Graduate School

Many of our majors choose to pursue graduate school after F&M, with a significant number enrolling in law school. Our graduates have completed their advanced degrees at the best universities, including:

• Harvard University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Yale University
• Columbia University
• Georgetown University
• New York University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Villanova University
• American University

Career Paths

Government graduates build an invaluable foundation for an eclectic range of careers. They find success in education, law, government, marketing, and more, and hold positions such as: 

• Attorney
• College Professor
• Deputy Attorney General
• Foreign Service Diplomat
• Government Official
• Journalist
• Judge
• Law Clerk
• Marketing Manager
• Nonprofit Executive
• Publisher
• Research Analyst
• Social Worker