With pre-registration come and gone, many juniors have been struggling with the decision of whether or not to do a thesis, and maybe some ambitious freshmen and sophomores have already begun to look ahead to the possibility for independent work. Take a look at what some of those who have already taken the plunge are working on:
"It's a lot of work ... I'd like to be able to sleep," said Elizabeth Shelburne '01, who has recently completed a combination narrative/photo essay thesis for the English department based on her experiences in Lamu, a small community in Kenya. The idea for this project arose out of her study abroad in Kenya last year. Shelburne's thesis is composed of over 100 pages of text and 50 to 60 photos.
Shelburne has created a character, Eliza, through whom she retells her journey. "Writing that section in the third person gave me far more freedom, while it's still based on my experiences," she said. Shelburne also included excerpts from her journal and emails that she wrote during a three-week return trip funded by the College this past January, which is the primary focus of her narrative.
To help with the creative process, Shelburne took a thesis-writing course first semester with Professor of English Barry O'Connell and second semester with Professor of Black Studies and English Rhonda Cobham-Sander, which helped her explore different writing styles and focus on the ones that were most appropriate for her project. "It was more frustrating first semester when I wasn't actually producing anything but now being able to see the final product is very satisfying," she said.
Looking ahead to future endeavors, Shelburne aspires to get her writing or photos published. Also, after graduation, she has further travel plans, hoping to continue her writing and photography: "Give me a job with National Geographic and let me do my thesis all over again, and I'd be ecstatic!"
"It's about a guy writing a story," explained Dave Azoulay '01 of his English major thesis: a roughly 470-page novel about a male character who "doesn't quite know what to do with his life." The book is the result of almost a year of effort, as Azoulay began the work last June, having to work over the summer and hand in a large chunk of the book in September. "I'd never taken any creative writing courses here, so that added to the burden of proof," he said. But after getting this first 120 pages under his belt, he proceeded to finish the story by the end of Interterm.
After working with Visiting Writer Claire Messud, Azoulay now confers with Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies Michele Barale for guidance. Now on his fourth draft of the piece, he has given the book to five of his friends to read and offer suggestions. "Some professors have been grumbling about the length, they don't want to take the time to read it," said Azoulay.
While he has entertained the prospect of later attending law school, Azoulay plans to travel after graduation and possibly pursue writing as a career. "I'm going to try to get the book published," he said.
"I love this role because it gives me a chance to indulge in two of my most favorite things: pretending to be British and Shakespeare," says Julie Squire '01 of her thesis, a culmination of her theater and dance major. The play "Desdemona" gives an in-depth look into the lives of the female characters in Shakespeare's "Othello." Squire and Amy Salzman '01 began work on "Desdemona" last semester and have been rehearsing since the beginning of spring semester, leading up to three performances in the Experimental Theater on April 12-14.
In the theater and dance department seniors can elect to do a senior project, which basically equates to an acting thesis. "When you choose to do an acting thesis, you get to act the lead in a play, chosen either by yourself of the person you are working with," said Salzman. Salzman plays the role of Bianca to Squire's Desdemona.
The two became engaged in an intense study of character accents in addition to an "actor's journal," documenting the rehearsal process. Squire and Salzman took advantage of weekly meetings with Professor of Theater and Dance Peter Lobdell, using varied accent tapes. "But there is also major writing to be done," said Squire. "I'm really not looking forward to the 20 days I have to actually write and complete my thesis!" Writing after the performance includes an analysis of the show's success and possible improvements. "After you have written the actual thesis, there is a thesis defense where you stand in front of a couple department profs and defend your work," said Salzman.
"Desdemona," while a far cry from a production similar to "Othello," is, Squire explained, "a theatrical world that is both inhabited and haunted by Shakespeare's characters and events."