Sites of Belonging: Rhetoric, Affect, and the Dynamics of Home in Academia

This study examines belonging’s historical foundations, conceptual underpinnings, and manifestations within the realms of location and affect, highlighting its significance in individual development and social interaction. The study considers the political dimensions of affective experiences, revealing how emotions influence the creation of sites of belonging; challenges Western views equating silence with emptiness and explores silence’s rhetorical potential as a medium of knowing, composing, and generating meaning; and delves into how objects and artifacts shape our sense of belonging, from cherished heirlooms to handwritten letters. Personal narratives and scholarly analysis are employed to unveil the emotional depth of material possessions, enriching our sense of belonging. Through a synthesis of personal experiences, scholarly research, and theoretical frameworks, this study ultimately seeks to deepen understanding of belonging and its transformative potential in fostering empathy, connection, and collective well-being, highlighting the complexities of belonging and its significance in shaping our shared human experience.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Rhetoric and Composition

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Siddiqui, Shireen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Leake, Eric

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Wilson, Nancy
• Jackson, Rebecca

• belonging
• affect
• identity
• emotion
• composition studies

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/18672

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/18672