ABSTRACT
This chapter explores critical cultural theory or the study of how social, cultural, and political believes effect the various kinds of communication and roles/tasks people have. Many of the issues discussed in this chapter come from a more theoretical perspective, while others come from a practical perspective. The theory Marx developed is an early form of social theory called structuralism. Structuralism theories postulate that, while social phenomena take many forms, the underlying structures are similar. Marx began by distinguishing between the base, also called the substructure, and the superstructure of a society. Critical theory is a school of thought that relies on reflection, assessment, and critique of the social and cultural. At the conclusion of this chapter, it will show a sample student paper written by Jordan Christensen. In his work, Christensen applies critical theory to aspects of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in an area referred to as the Occupied Territories.
