Critical culture and theory

Critical culture and theory by James P. Dimock & Kristi K. Cole

1. Critical cultural theory James P. Dimock & Kristi K. Cole

2. Critical Cultural Theory Critical cultural theory is a way to begin unpacking and grappling with assumptions, with beliefs, with ideology that we shape based on our interaction and participation in our surrounding institutions: music, television, art, literature, newspapers, media, the internet etc. It explores the study of how social cultural and political beliefs affect the various kinds of communication and roles/tasks people have.

3. The Marxist Critique a supporter of the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

4. Theory of Capitalism An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Marx understood society to be a conflict between two classes: the bourgeoisie-ruling class, and the proletariat- working class. Based on the exploitation of working class by the ruling class thus resulting in alienation of the working class for the benefit of the ruling class. Petite bourgeois: researchers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, police, military- the lower middle class. Roles vital to the maintenance of the system

5. Critical Theory Critical theory is a school of thought that relies on reflection, assessment, and critique of the social and cultural Critical theory is multidisciplinary: bridging the gap between theory and practice Critical theories are chiefly concerned with evaluating the freedom, justice, and happiness of societies; hence it is ongoing and reflexive. It has turned into what today we call post-modernism.

6. Critical theory privileges praxis (accepted practice or custom) in order to rationalize, explain, and master the world itself. Praxis unfolds along these three lines: Consciousness raising: seeking to bring change by making people aware of ‘oppression’, by unmasking the nature, and causes of injustice. Contemporary orientation: It is about understanding and impacting the present and the future rather than changing the past. Centering the margins: is to change perspectives in order to look at the world from the point of view of the oppressed and make their experience, voices and values the center of critical theory. Critical theory privileges praxis (accepted practice or custom) in order to rationalize, explain, and master the world itself. Praxis unfolds along these three lines: Consciousness raising: seeking to bring change by making people aware of ‘oppression’, by unmasking the nature, and causes of injustice. Contemporary orientation: It is about understanding and impacting the present and the future rather than changing the past. Centering the margins: is to change perspectives in order to look at the world from the point of view of the oppressed and make their experience, voices and values the center of critical theory.

7. Critical Race Theory Race theories are dialectical but emphasizes race over class conflict

8. Critical theorists define racism and prejudice differently than how we normally define them interchangeably as synonyms. Prejudice is preconceived ideas about a person or a group. One characteristic that applies to one individual from a group is applied to all individuals from that group. a black man who thinks all white men like golf because he encountered a few white men who like golf. Racism is however something different. It can be understood as prejudice plus power. It becomes racism when it has power behind it. A white person holds a black person as slave, and that ownership is recognized by statuses and laws, is justified by religious institutions, and is normalized by literature and other art forms is racism.

9. Critical Gender Theory Includes Feminist theory & Queer theory

10. Concerned with equity between sexes Evolved in waves: First wave, Second wave, Third wave Focused on: women's right to vote, women's liberation, women's reproductive/political/ workplace rights Broadly covers the diversity of human sexuality and gender Distinguishes between the terms of Gender and Sex Sets a divergence from heterosexual norms Feminism Theory Queer Theory

11. Thank you