<p>I am pretty certain the system described in this thread is still the system. The main points are: (1) It’s up to each department whether it participates in joint majors at all, and with what restrictions if it does. So you have to look at the individual department websites, which will almost certainly have their current policy somewhere. Some of the larger departments – like biology and economics – don’t do joint concentrations, or limit them a lot. (2) You have to do a thesis project that combines the two majors. That would seem to be super-easy with classics and government . . . but not so much if your classics interests revolve around lyric poetry and your polisci interests around quantitative polling methods.</p>
<p>A subtle point you might miss in the foregoing discussion, too, is checking to see what you have to do to be eligible for honors when you have a joint concentration.</p>
<p>A gov/classics joint should be very feasible. It looks like both departments allow joint concentrations (you can check on this for other fields by going here and looking for a concentration under ‘fields of concentration’: [Welcome</a> Handbook for Students 2011-2012](<a href=“HarvardKey - Harvard University Authentication Service”>HarvardKey - Harvard University Authentication Service)).
When you double concentrate, a joint thesis is required, so you’d have to find a topic that synthesizes your two fields. For gov and classics, that shouldn’t be too hard. You also pick a ‘home’ concentration - there is a difference between a ‘Government and Classics’ concentrator and a ‘Classics and Government’ concentrator that manifests mostly in the proportion of classes that you take in each field.
It’s worth nothing (and it’s already been said, just want to reiterate) that a lot of departments don’t allow double concentrations. Gov/classics should be fine, but most biology concentrations don’t. If you’re ever unsure, consult the handbook - it’s your best friend!
Congrats on your admission, and good luck!</p>