Senior Thesis Colloquium Showcases East Asian Studies Undergraduates

Last Thursday, February 14, four thesis writers in the East Asian Studies concentration presented their projects at the Senior Thesis Colloquium and Valentine’s Day Advising Lunch Break held at 2 Divinity Avenue. The Colloquium was well-attended by classmates, prospective EAS concentrators, graduate students, and faculty coming to hear the lectures and participate in a short Q&A session after each.

Professor Ryuichi Abe introduced the presenters, the first of whom was Miranda Richman ‘19. Miranda, a joint concentrator in EAS and Political Science/Government, was advised by Christina Davis, Professor in the Government Department and Susan S. and Kenneth L. Wallach Professor at the Radcliffe Institute, and Graeme Reynolds, EALC Ph.D. Candidate in HEAL/Korea. Miranda’s thesis, “Apologies Under Pressure: How Security Concerns and Memory Politics Interact in Japan-South Korea Relations, 1990-2015,” focused on the political factors influencing war apologies Japan has issued to South Korea since 1990. Her analysis sought to identify the primary factors on the Japanese side which tend to lead to the issuance of such apologies.

Next to present was Theo LeBryk ‘19, a joint concentrator in Social Studies and EAS, advised by Professor Nara Dillon of the Government Department, and Joshua Freedman, a Ph.D. Candidate in the Government Department focusing on China. Theo’s thesis, “Go East, Young Man: Crafting International Elites at Chinese Fellowship Programs,” traced the development of China-based fellowship programs and the challenges faced by their creators and participating scholars.

Following Theo’s presentation, attendees of the Colloquium breaked for a sushi lunch, Valentine’s day candy and treats, and a chance to write positive feedback “Valentine” cards for the thesis writers. Concentrators and other interested students took the opportunity to meet with EAS advising staff and ask questions about study abroad, concentration requirements, and course offerings. Prospective concentrators expressed that the talks had given them valuable insight into the EAS department, and that they were intrigued by the contemporary and global focus of the four research projects represented at the Colloquium.

After the lunch and advising break, Raquel Leslie ‘19, a joint concentrator in Government and EAS, presented her thesis project, entitled “Towards the ‘China Model’ of Development? Ethnic Conflict Management and Party System Stability in Africa.” She was advised by Professor Alastair Iain Johnston, Gov. James Albert Noe and Linda Noe Laine Professor of China in World Affairs in the Government Department, and Austin Strange, a Ph.D. Candidate in Government focusing on International Relations. Raquel’s research took Ethiopia and Kenya as case studies, using personal interviews and data on Chinese investment in Africa to analyze the possibility of these countries adopting a ‘China Model’ of economic development strategy.

The final presenter was Jonah Lefkoe ‘19, advised by Erez Manela, Professor of History and Director of Graduate Programs at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs; Adam Frost, an EALC Ph.D. Candidate in HEAL/China; and Thomas Jamison, a Ph.D. Candidate in International History. Jonah’s thesis, “Defending the Open Door: The Promise and Perils of Economic Diplomacy in U.S.-China Relations, 1898-1922,” charted the development of U.S. trade and economic policy in China during the burgeoning globalization of the early 20th century.

The Senior Thesis Colloquium is held annually to allow seniors to obtain feedback on their thesis topics and methods of presenting their research, as well as to give the Harvard community a sampling of what EAS concentrators are currently working on.