Global Studies and Geography Major, Connor Mayes, Defends Thesis

The Global Studies and Geography Department is proud to announce that triple major (Global Studies, Geography and German) and graduating senior, Connor Mayes, successfully defended his Geography Honors Thesis on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.  Connor’s thesis, "Ruling the Bloodlands: the Relationship between Space, Resources, and Genocide" focused on the tangible, physical motivations behind genocidal events, such as natural resource extraction, territorial expansion, and a desire for slaves. In addition to a historical overview of these genocidal motivations, Connor presented a case-study of the Bosnian Genocide. His Honors Thesis Supervisor was Dr. Kari Jensen, Associate Professor of Global Studies and Geography; additionally, the committee was comprised of Dr. Zilkia Janer, Professor of Global Studies and Geography, and Dr. Mario Ruiz, Associate Professor of History. Connor will be presenting his research at Hofstra’s Undergraduate Research Day on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

Connor, who will be graduating this semester, is also writing a thesis called "Traveling Texts: An Analysis of Migrant Literature and Transnational Writing in Germany" as part of his German major.  He is a member of Mu Kappa, Hofstra’s chapter of the International Geographic Honor Society, Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) and has also been active in the department’s student run club, Get Global, since his Freshman year.

Congratulations Connor!