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Honors Program

The Government Department Honors Program provides qualified undergraduates with an opportunity to complete independent research under the supervision of members of the Department.

2021 Honors Program

Program Directors

  • Lucas Swaine
  • Benjamin Valentino

Honor Students and their Advisors

  • Fred M. Ames - "The Creation of the Demagogue: Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle" Advisor: Prof. Murphy
  • Patrycja Bazylczyk - "Does Democracy Matter? Investigating the Effect of Democracy on State Convergence with US Foreign Policy" Advisor: Prof. Wohlforth
  • Nicolas Berlinski - "The Message or the Messenger? A Comparative Study of the Mechanisms of news Media Effects" Advisor: Prof. Nyhan
  • Noah J. Campbell -  "Search for the New Land: Necropolitics, Agonism, and Black Dissociation" Advisor: Prof. Threadcraft
  • Christopher J. de Grandpré- "The Specter in South Korea: Mapping an Arsenal for a Nuclear Republic of Korea" Advisor: Prof. Press
  • Elizabeth S. Garrison - "The Impact of Identity and Personal Values on American Public Support for Minority Rights" Advisor: Prof. Valentino
  • Gigi Gunderson - "All Quiet on the Cosmic Front: Assessing the Vulnerability of American Space-Based Military Systems" Advisor: Prof. Press
  • Shira B. Hornstein- "Wasting a Good Crisis: The Effects of Polarization on Public Opinion During National Emergencies" Advisor: Prof. Nyhan
  • Caterina B. Hyneman- "Skin in the Game? Predicting the Future of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems" Advisor: Prof. Miller
  • Delphine G. Jrolf – "Social Expertise: Understanding the Knowledge, Influence, and Power That Explain American Inequality" Advisor: Prof. Bedi
  • Marina L. Liot – "The Puzzle of Power Transition Theory: Why Dominant Powers Trade with Challenger States" Advisor: Prof. Mastanduno
  • Akosua A. Twum-Antwi – "Let's Talk About It: Exploring a proactive Process to Protect Voting Rights and Promote Racial Justice" Advisor: Prof. Bedi
  • Ezekiel Vergara – "Just and Unjust Revolutions: A Theoretical Examination of the Ethics of Revolutions" Advisor: Prof. Murphy
  • Anna G. Wilinsky – "Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Stick: How Military Elites Shape American Foreign Policy" Advisor: Prof. Friedman
  • Faven Woldetatyos – "Ties That May Not Bind: Investigating Ethnic Voting Variation in Sub-Saharan Africa" Advisor: Prof. Horowitz

2022 Honors Program

Watch the informational session recording here.

Deadline to apply to the 2022 honors Program is May 24, 2021.

Program Directors:

  • Lucas Swaine
  • Benjamin Valentino

Applying to the Honors Program

Participants in the Honors Program define and analyze a specific issue or hypothesis in the field of political science and write a thesis. The Program is completed within the framework of a three-course sequence during the senior year: Government 97 (fall), Government 98 (winter), and Government 99 (spring). Government 97 counts as a seminar level course and Government 98 counts as a midlevel. Government 99 is required to complete the program, but it does not count toward the Government major or minor. Students meet weekly with the Directors of the Honors Program at the L hour during the fall term. Students also meet regularly with individual thesis advisors at times convenient to both.

If you are considering applying to the Honors Program, we strongly recommend speaking with potential faculty advisors about your ideas no later than the winter quarter of your junior year. It is important also to remember that a seminar must be completed before enrolling in the Honors Program. If you have an interest in pursuing the Honors Program, please review the informational materials and the application requirements. For additional information on writing an Honors thesis, please feel free to talk with the co-directors of the Honors Program, Lucas Swaine and Benjamin Valentino, or any of the Government faculty members.

Prerequisites and Application Process (Deadline: May 24, 2021)

  • Determine that you have successfully completed six Government courses, including at least one introductory course, at least two upper-level courses, and at least one advanced seminar before the end of your junior year. 
  • Determine that you meet the minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 for all Dartmouth courses, and 3.5 in the Government major.
  • Determine that you have successfully completed the Government Major's statistics prerequisite (Gov 10 or its equivalent) by the end of your junior year.
  • Obtain a faculty advisor (check the Government Department webpage for information on faculty interests).
  • Fill out an application form, and write a thesis proposal and upload here. Both need to be submitted to the Government Department by May 24, 2021.
  • If you will be away on an FSP or an LSA during spring term, you are encouraged to complete your application by the end of winter term. Extensions will not be granted on account of FSP or LSA participation.