Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department or Program
Speech Communication
Advisor
Sandra Pensoneau-Conway, Ph.D.
Abstract
In this paper, I argue that critical intercultural communication, as a discipline, can benefit from an inclusion of fat studies within its literature and analysis. Reciprocally, fat studies can also benefit from this relationship and the questions that would be raised for both fat studies and critical intercultural communication by such a juxtaposition of the areas of study. In particular, I employ my experiences as a fat, U.S. American woman to situate my own embodied knowledge as a way of understanding, in concert with literature reviews of fat studies and identity research within critical intercultural communication. I also utilize muted group theory and intersectionality to suggest specific ways that fat studies can be applied within communication studies, and critical intercultural communication specifically.