Games as Academic Work

I'm a grad student in a telecommunications program that focuses on video games. The time has come for me to start planning my thesis. My thesis can be a sociological study of games/gaming or it can be a technical implementation of a new/interesting idea. I have designed and built a few games so far, so I have the necessary background and I would rather go the technical route and design something interesting.

I have a few ideas in mind, but a lot of things aren't nailed down yet. Has anyone else here done a video game related thesis? Or, have you heard about or seen one that you thought was interesting?

Thanks,

dan