1. **State the problem:** Find the slope of the line passing through points $(-3, -2)$ and $(5, 2)$. 2. **Formula for slope:** The slope $m$ of a line through points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. **Substitute the points:** $$m = \frac{2 - (-2)}{5 - (-3)} = \frac{2 + 2}{5 + 3}$$ 4. **Simplify numerator and denominator:** $$m = \frac{4}{8}$$ 5. **Simplify the fraction by canceling common factors:** $$m = \frac{\cancel{4}^1}{\cancel{8}^2} = \frac{1}{2}$$ 6. **Interpretation:** The slope of the line is $\frac{1}{2}$, meaning the line rises 1 unit vertically for every 2 units it moves horizontally to the right. **Final answer:** The slope of the line is $\boxed{\frac{1}{2}}$.