What are emotions, sentiments, and feelings? What functions do they serve, both for the individual and for society?

We are using social psychology research, and creative writing and moving image media as methods of inquiry into the ways that emotions are connected with cultural ideologies and assumptions. We are studying the ways emotions are expressed, avoided, embraced, and rejected–the ways they function in our everyday lives–according to complex display rules that vary across and within cultures based on gendered, raced, and classed social norms.

We are looking closely at the ways that power operates on and through us to get under our skin and into what feels like our most personal possessions: our emotions. If we read–and write–between the lines, what is the subtext of our cultural narratives about fear, love, guilt, anger…?

Please visit the blogs listed at right to explore the artifacts of our daily, individual and collaborative inquiry.