Government Department Will Revamp Sophomore Tutorial

To the editors:



The Crimson editorial of May 2, “Gov 97b, Good Riddance,” came as no surprise to the department of government. This year, in anticipation of curricular review changes in the timing of declarations of concentration, our tutorial office ran a comprehensive survey of the tutorial. The responses from our concentrators were detailed and enlightening, and in many cases sobering. With the help of our undergraduate committee, we are now reviewing Gov 97 and proposing radical changes. We will preserve the elements that students appreciate: attention to writing and analysis, a mix of great books and contemporary topics, and tutors who are our best graduate students. Prospective concentrators should be assured that we see reform of this gateway course into the study of politics as an intellectual challenge for us as a faculty, and we are committed to making it an intellectual treat for our students.



NANCY L. ROSENBLUM

Cambridge, Mass.

May 2, 2006



The writer is Clark Professor of Ethics in Politics and Government and chair of the department of government.