This project analyzes two sets of alien invasion films to understand lay opinions on hegemonic authority. It defines hegemonic authority along two major lines: neo-Gramscian hegemony and hegemonic stability theory. The project uses alien invasion films to study challenges to hegemonic authority because of the unique and confrontational narrative alien invasion films typically possess. Through a comparative process, the project concludes that alien invasion films reveal paradoxical relationships of power, where the hegemon encourages aggressive pre-emptive policies against its challengers but at the same time depends upon these challengers to maintain its power. It argues that despite arguments of growing globalism and cosmopolitanism in the world, the liberal hegemon remains clearly divided among notions of Us versus Them.

Alien plant invasions and human-induced land transformations are the two most important factors contributing to loss of biodiversity, and Chromolaena odorata (C. odorata) is one of the world’s worst invader plants. It impacts negatively on biodiversity conservation, forestry and agriculture due to its rapid rate of spread, fast growth and hence an ability to transform habitats. It was introduced into KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in the mid-1940s, and has spread north and southwards along the coastline and adjacent interior. In 1961 it was observed in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, and has invaded and transformed large parts. In this thesis I use C. odorata distribution maps from 1978 to 2001 to investigate invasion pathways, and whether these are related to species or habitat characteristics. Invasion in the twelve vegetation types identified in the Reserve showed two patterns. In some vegetation types invasion expanded linearly, while in others there were three phases of invasion, driven by interactions between habitat suitability, habitat fragmentation and propagule pressure. Expansion of existing invasions (phalanx or wave invasion) through short distance seed dispersal was the primary mode of spread, rather than the formation of new infestations (guerrilla or diffuse invasion). Known distribution of dense stands was used to develop a spectral signature and run a supervised classification of satellite images. I utilized the dense stands and other GIS data sets of climate, altitude, solar radiation, distance from roads, distance from rivers and normalized differential vegetation index from 1973 and 2001 to determine a probability model, and assess the impact of the invasion on biodiversity conservation. The supervised classification underestimated the extent of the invasion, as C. odorata is a cryptic understory species in some habitats. Supplementation by using multiple regression to develop a probability model, and combining these into one map provided a realistic result. I used this map and GIS data sets of vegetation types and protected areas to assess the impact of the invasion on biodiversity conservation. This showed that C. odorata was preferentially impacting sensitive areas, and the conservation of threatened vegetation types is not guaranteed by including them in protected areas. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.

Living as a white Zimbabwean in the 1990s meant a near-perfect life: your clothes were always clean and ironed, there was always tea in the silver teapot, gins and tonics were served on the verandah, and, in theory at least, black and white lived in harmony. As Mugabe’s presidency turned sour, however, this idyllic and privileged world began to crumble into anarchy. My family and I left to escape the political violence in 2002, and moved to New Zealand. My novel Ngozi draws on these experiences to tell the story of one troubled white family who struggle to stay afloat in the collapsing economy and escalating horror of Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. The story is told through the eyes of a young white girl, who is partly based on myself. When the farm invasions begin, the violence threatens to destroy the family’s way of life forever. They eventually leave Zimbabwe, but escaping the vengeful ghosts (‘ngozi’) of their past still seems impossible.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 133-154.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 1994. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-76). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thèse (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 2007. / Bibliogr.: f. [166]-181. Publié aussi en version électronique dans la Collection Mémoires et thèses électroniques.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 15, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2004. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-90). Also available via the World Wide Web.