Government
About Government
Our Program and Courses
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.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
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.
Success Beyond F&M
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
Student Spotlight
A Summer Internship with Local Government
Following a passion for public service, Ethan Grabowski ’26, a government and history major, spent his summer interning at the Lancaster County Commissioners’ Office. “I wanted to become better connected with Lancaster,” he said. “The internship offered me not just the opportunity to be here for a summer, but to meet many different community leaders in the city and learn more about what makes the county as a whole so special.”Read More »
Student Spotlight
A Diplomat On and Off Campus
Government major Fatimata Ly ’25 spent six weeks of her summer in the nation’s capital. Ly attended the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), a program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends as well as career opportunities in international affairs. “As an aspiring U.S. foreign service officer, this program offers an excellent opportunity to gain relevant experience and education in the field,” Ly said. “I’ve always been passionate about helping people and community-building. Coming from a Senegalese background, I've always had to bridge my Senegalese and American identities. That drove me toward public diplomacy.”Read More »
Alumni Spotlight
“Coming from a first-generation background and having parents that are immigrants, I’ve thought a lot about diplomacy and the impact of aid – specifically international aid.”
Muna Sultana ’24, a joint major in government and international studies, was named a recipient of the prestigious Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program. The fellowship is a competitive award that prepares outstanding young people for foreign service careers in the U.S. Department of State. Sultana was also F&M’s first recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service and participated in the United States Foreign Service Internship program. “Coming from a first-generation background and having parents that are immigrants, I’ve thought a lot about diplomacy and the impact of aid – specifically international aid – and my parents’ journey to come to the U.S. and their visa process. I didn't realize that I could make a career out of it,” Sultana said. “I remember being a sophomore in high school knowing that this is what I want to do. When I applied to F&M, I wrote about it in my application!”Read More »
Related Fields of Study
International Studies
International studies is an innovative program that combines off-campus study in a non-English-speaking location with on- and off-campus coursework. As a student of international studies at F&M, you will develop a global perspective and immerse yourself in the languages and cultures of non-English-speaking countries and regions.
Pre-Law
F&M’s pre-law program is offered through our Legal Professions Advising as a supplement to your chosen major. By engaging as a pre-law student and utilizing the skills gained from your F&M liberal arts education, you’ll be distinctly prepared to navigate the legal profession and make a difference to the world around you.
Public Policy
Government, economy, and society are increasingly reliant upon one another for ensuring the well-being of a community. When you study public policy at F&M, you’ll explore the methods and institutions through which governments, economies, and societies work together to support, regulate, protect, and communicate with diverse communities.
Government at F&M in Action
November 22, 2024
Professor to Study How Cities Are Reshaping Democracy
Franklin & Marshall's Stephanie McNulty is receiving $200,000, part of a $1.4 million award, shared across four continents by 25 researchers.
November 15, 2024
Students Promote Civic Engagement Through F&M Votes
F&M Votes, a nonpartisan coalition of students, faculty, and staff, spent the months leading up to the election engaged in voter registration, education, and motivation activities. The organization's student co-chairs share their experience and talk about what's next.
November 4, 2024
‘I Wanted to Become Better Connected with Lancaster’: Reflections from a Municipal Internship
Ethan Grabowski ’26, a government and history major, spent his summer interning at the Lancaster County Commissioners’ Office. See a day in his life in politics.