While the concept of thesis writing makes lots of seniors cringe, Deborah C. Cohen's thesis makes her laugh. She's doing her History of Science thesis on laughter.

According to Cohen '86, writing about ribaldry "can make you happy and excited about writing a thesis."

While seniors write theses for many reasons--including amusement--one fact remains true from Afro-American Studies to VES: motivation and interest must accompany the lengthy task. Otherwise, a senior wonders forever why he spent his final Saturday nights of college in front of the word processor or in the library.

Social Studies concentrator John E. Klaaren '86, whose topic concerns the Sanctuary Movement for Central American refugees, says, "my thesis isn't putting a direction in my life, like it is for other seniors. It's not an absolute expression of my being."

Klaaren adds, "It's a long paper. I like to think of it as an assignment between a paper and a philosophical statement."

Jonathan A. Kaplan 86's Government thesis on social security reform puts some direction in his life, however. "It's a subject I'd like to work on in the future."

Kaplan says, "the Gov department told us last year that the three reasons not to write a thesis are to get into law school, to graduate with honors, and to please our parents."

But, he adds, "these are the three reasons I'm writing a thesis, but I don't mind it."

History and Literature concentrator Mary D. Garrison '86 is writing her thesis on an extension of the subject she wants to pursue in graduate school--the Middle Ages. This year, her work focuses on the social implications of changing attitudes toward beards in the 12th century.

"My thesis is a chance to learn a lot about a topic I'm interested in and to test out my own ideas," says Garrison. "My aim is to show how something that is a basic part of life--beards--can also be related to the structure of society."

Garrison adds, "At first I was worried that other people wouldn't take my topic seriously. I was getting desperate in my search for a subject and I got the idea when I reread an article on 11th and 12th century fashion changes. A few days later, I was inspired to actually write about beards after I heard a lecture by a Princeton historian."

Brigitte M. Duffy '86 sees her thesis--a History and Literature opus on Edith Wharton--as a way to accomplish something substantial. She asserts that "it's nice to know that you've worked on one concrete piece of writing and finished it."

Duffy's roommate, Elizabeth Wardenburg '86, agrees with Duffy that her thesis--on the treatment of Polio 1935-1950--offers her "a sense of real satisfaction and accomplishment."

C. Chandler Bryan, who is writing his Social Studies thesis on the revitalization of Lowell, MA., views his work as "his first chance to take advantage of what Harvard is good at and good for--thesis research."

Some students hope to get fame from writing their theses.