Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Bod Squad (Organization); Identity politics; Overweight persons--Public opinion; Identity politics; Overweight persons--Psychology; Academic theses;
Abstract
This thesis investigates the power of language, discourse, and symbols in the dominant construction of corpulence, and how it simultaneously constricts subjectivity and offers avenues of resistance and revolt. I focus my analysis on the public protest actions of San Francisco's radical cheerleading troupe The Bod Squad. I argue that The Bod Squad's protest constitutes a counter-public sphere in its rhetorical functions of positive self-representation and public confrontation. Through their protest actions, The Bod Squad stretches dominant ideologies of corpulence to create discursive space for alternative articulations of identities, interests, and needs. This thesis challenges traditional counter-public sphere theory and argues fat body protest necessitates a revision of the theoretical distinction of enclaves and oscillation. Additionally, I argue The Bod Squad rejuvenates the public sphere through the politicization of the personal and strategic engagement of technical argument.
Year of Submission
2008
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Communication Studies
First Advisor
Catherine Palczewski
Second Advisor
Harry Brod
Third Advisor
Susan E. Hill
Date Original
2008
Object Description
1 PDF file (152 leaves)
Copyright
©2008 Emily Dianne Cram
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Cram, Emily Dianne, "Corpulent Counter-Publics: Radical Cheerleading and Resignification of the Fat Body" (2008). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2410.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2410
Comments
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