This was an audiovisual exhibit showcasing 10 participants' portraits, artifact photos & audio stories. In a world full of polarization in the media and bias, my thesis project strives to highlight the similarities in our differences with stories from people of all different ages, backgrounds & lifestyles. And what topic is more human than home & belonging? Additional info, audio & photos from the event can be found at the website used during the event: https://gsorian18.wixsite.com/sob-thesis2024

The secular rights surrounding dead bodies are conditional and possess unfortunate shortcomings. The existence of ghosts as representatives of the supernatural seem to make up for those shortcomings and provide a firmer foundation for rights. Thus I explore the existence of supernatural rights of the dead as present in a wide basis of belief systems. From this I examine the connection between the supernatural rights and the current discussions on secular rights of the dead, finding the supernatural rights acting as an impetus for the secular.

The term "Latinx" has emerged as a gender-neutral alternative to the gendered "Latino/Latina" label, sparking debates within the Latino community. However, the implications of creating a new label extend far beyond the minority group it aims to represent. This study investigates the differing perspectives of individuals within and outside of the Latino community regarding the term and its meaning. It provides additional literature that explores how people's identification with labels affects their support for political candidates and advocacy groups. Specifically, the survey experiment examines how candidates’ use of these labels influences their political support.