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Discursive Formations and the Denigration of Emotion

Historically Western discourses shaping perceptions and practicesassociated with world creation and engagement have toggled metaphorically between head and heart in regard to conceptual constructs concerning human nature. Rationalized conceptions have been consistently favored while irrational ones have been met with a disdain too often associated with marginalized individuals, silenced voices, and disqualified knowledge. Whether considering binaries contained in Plato’s tripartite conception of the Soul, Cartesian dualism, Freudian typographies, or modern theories concerning cortical and subcortical brain functioning, the rational has typically held hegemonic and explanatory sway over the irrational elements contained therein. In parallel fashion, gendered binaries such as hard… Read More »Discursive Formations and the Denigration of Emotion

Bodies at Work, Bodies at Play: Improvisation and Direct Care.

This thesis will advocate a distinctly relevant place for theatrical improvisation in the direct care field under the following premises: 1) the principles for good improvisation coincide with the principles required for positive interpersonal relations, 2) the skill set developed through improvisational participation makes for good work in the direct care field. 3) to be a good direct care worker requires a penchant for introspection and self-development, 4) the process of learning to improvise can raise for each individual the material most needing to be addressed for continued personal development, 5) improvisation provides each individual with the direct means to… Read More »Bodies at Work, Bodies at Play: Improvisation and Direct Care.

The Othering of Emotion

Discourses about the following matters shape our partial, poorly examined, and stifling understanding of the potentiality, utility, and significance of our emotional life. For much of what is said, shown, written, heard, seen, or read about gender, bodies, normality, knowledge, love, anger, food, sex, death, health, and illness amongst a myriad of other topics bear on how we come to know ourselves emotionally in this modern day American world. The messages we get are so pervasive and entrenched that they are little noticed and hardly seen clearly or felt fully. The results are a self-image which is just a partial… Read More »The Othering of Emotion

Bodies at Work, Bodies at Play: Improvisation and Direct Care.

This thesis will advocate a distinctly relevant place for theatrical improvisation in the direct care field under the following premises: 1) the principles for good improvisation coincide with the principles required for positive interpersonal relations, 2) the skill set developed through improvisational participation makes for good work in the direct care field. 3) to be a good direct care worker requires a penchant for introspection and self-development, 4) the process of learning to improvise can raise for each individual the material most needing to be addressed for continued personal development, 5) improvisation provides each individual with the direct means to… Read More »Bodies at Work, Bodies at Play: Improvisation and Direct Care.