Critical Theory - Structuralism

Structuralism

Structuralism is a critical theory that analyzes culture in terms of larger systems of language and the unconscious.    Objects, language and notions of things are all determined by their relationship with other objects and notions.  Together, they all form a system that is understood by the culture, and together, form the overarching linguistic and cultural system.  Structuralism looks for the underlying structures that form the systems.  Semiotics, the study of signs and their human relationships, is central.  As described by Saussure, Signs gain their meaning from their relationships and contrasts with other signs.  In addition to linguistics, Lacan proposed that parallel structures form as a system within the unconscious.