Senior spring might seem relaxing, but '94s with senior theses to write by graduation are hardly sunbathing on the Green.
Seniors who elected to write theses can be found in study carols at Baker, hibernating in their rooms or traveling across the country researching their thesis topics.
Adam Lipsius '94, an English major, was in Washington, D.C. last week researching for his thesis, a biography of Dr. Seuss, otherwise know as Theodore Seuss Geisel '25.
"I chose Dr. Seuss because I couldn't think of anything I'd enjoy more than nine months of Green Eggs and Ham," Lipsius said in an electronic mail message from Washington, D.C.
"After nine months, the research, the frustrating hours in front of the computer and all the reading above and beyond the Cat in the Hat and his many friends have gotten a bit stale, but I honestly can't imagine my senior year without it," he said.
Seniors sign up to participate in an honors program in their major and then propose a thesis idea. Once they find an advisor, the advisor makes a recommendation to the department about the topic's feasibility.
The thesis candidate then submit the proposal to the department and begin research once it is approved. After submitting a final draft, the senior must answer questions and defend his or her work in front of a panel of faculty members in the department.
Following the meeting, the professors meet to determine the student's grade and level of honors - regular or high.
Many seniors found their theses topics changed as their research progressed. Jennifer Miglionico '95, who is an anthropology major graduating this spring, said classes outside her major influenced her to modify her topic.
As her research progressed, Miglionico said she incorporated work from Classics courses into her thesis, "Preserving the Hero Soldier: The History and Politics Behind Military Mortuary Monuments (With Special Focus on the Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C.)."
Lipsius said he scaled down his thesis as the research started to overwhelm him.
"Initially I envisioned writing a full-length biography," Lipsius said. "But unsuspected competition and the sheer girth of something like that have compelled me to scale back my efforts and focus my investigation into the period he began writing for children."
Some students found that leave term internships influenced their thesis topics. Kerry Whitacre '94 spent the summer before her senior year working in Washington, D.C.
"The last two weeks I was there, I spent researching the entire field of women in politics at the Library of Congress and did some informational interviews in person and on the phone with various women's political organizations," Whitacre said.
"Because of my policy interest, I decided to write on women politicians and public policy."
Miglionico was also influenced by her freshman summer research project, which the Dean of Freshmen Office sponsored.
"I spent time focusing on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. I conducted fieldwork at the site in order to understand the rituals which were developing at the monument," Miglionico said.
Chris Bartel '94 worked for the Mexican State Department last summer where he developed his thesis topic, "United States-Mexican Economic Interdependence."
Amy Candido '94 said she developed her thesis idea as a result of research she did for Philosophy Professor Susan Brison as a Presidential Scholar.
Candido's thesis for the Government Department titled, "Reconcilable Differences: The Intersection of Free Speech and Equality in Sexual Harassment and Pornography," applied both her majors, government and English.
The time commitment to writing a senior thesis has exhausted some students. Research and actual writing are extremely time consuming.
"It's taken more time than I can talk about without breaking down in tears, and I have no predictions about its length," Lipsius said.
Although Bartel complains about the time commitment as well, he said his thesis work has benefited other aspects of his life, like trying to find a job.
"Writing a thesis is a huge pain in the ass but you learn so much about organization and arguments," Bartel said. "During corporate recruiting they seemed really interested in the fact that I was writing a thesis."
Thesis advisors are professors that offer support and guidance to students during the thesis process. And their job can also consume a large amount of time.
Government Professor John Scott, Candido's thesis advisor, said he has enjoyed the advising process.
"It's time consuming but in some sense the role of advisor becomes guiding a novice through a process that we've gone through many times before," Scott said.
Scott said he meets with Candido almost every week for between 15 minutes and an hour.
"My role is different - I give support and direction so that if Amy has any questions about issues, we can talk them through," Scott said. "We also help to formulate and focus ideas."
"This is by far the most rewarding kind of teaching," said anthropology professor Hoyt Alverson who is Miglionico's advisor.
Miglionico began the research for her topic two summers ago, and began writing at the end of last summer.
"At the moment it is about 90 pages but I expect it to grow to about 120 by May," Miglionico said.
