At Harvard, we’re all special. Right, mom? Those with special concentrations, slightly more so. Why they couldn’t just be sociology concentrators like the basketball team? We’ll never know for sure. It’s a mystery greater than what makes up red spice chicken sauce. Take a look at these special concentrations—paired with thesis titles—to pick out the real from the fake, and the special from the non-special.
1. Special Concentration: Esoteric Studies
Thesis Title: “A Year in the Woods: Wandering, Horror, and Home”
2. Special Concentration: Theater Arts
Thesis Title: “Skinwalking”
3. Special Concentration: Media Studies
Thesis Title: “What is this Black Box in my Living Room?: The History of Television From 1500-2010”
4. Special Concentration: Organizational Behavior
Thesis Title: “The Language of Team Leadership: An Analysis and Comparison of Language Patterns in Ultimate Frisbee”
5. Special Concentration: Post-Post-Post-Colonial Development
Thesis Title: “The Legacy of the Vikings’ Invasion of Ireland, 800-1169”
6. Special Concentration: Magic Studies
Thesis Title: “The Card Trick, 1960-1973” or simply “Abracadabra”
7. Special Concentration: Aesthetic Understanding
Thesis Title: “Lipstick or Lip Gloss? The Gendered Implications of Makeup In 20th Century New Zealand”
8. Special Concentration: Regional Urban Studies
Thesis Title: “Sante Fe or Fanta Se? The Transfer of Ownership in a Gentrifying Place”
9. Special Concentration: Theater Arts
Thesis Title: “Kissing On Stage: Love, Loss, and Homophobia in Middle Schools”
10. Special Concentration: Earth Science and Media
Thesis Title: “Under the City Upon a Hill: Glacial Heritage of Boston”
1. Real 2. Real 3. Fake 4. Real 5. Fake 6. Fake 7. Fake 8. Real 9. Fake 10. Real