1. Mind’s On – Think Share
Write down something you think we need/value in North American culture (product, technology, appliance, etc)
Give a brief explanation why it is necessary
Put it on the chart on the board – Essential, Nice to Have, Really?

2. Schools of Thought in the Social Sciences
Focus On:
Anthropology

3. School of Thought – Definition
A school of thought is a way to use information in a way that is credible
It is a much more academic way of discussing similarities and differences in the social sciences than opinion-based arguments

4. Functionalism Maslow’s Needs
As humans we are constantly trying to meet physical and psychological needs
Functionalism focuses on the purpose (why) and practice (how) of satisfying those needs
Maslow’s Needs

5. These needs and customs contribute to the institutions that can hold a culture together
The focus of functionalism is to explain behaviours and practices of a culture, not judge them

6. Structuralism
Think About It! In your notes list as many things as you can that are opposites in 1 minute (Example – Good and Evil)
Structuralists believe that the human mind is based on binary opposites
These opposites explain our perspective, and that we like to compare things to make sense of them
Culture programs us to think this way

7. These opposites can be damaging/limiting when taken in the wrong context
Example?
A criticism of structuralism is that it overemphasizes logic and stability

8. Cultural Materialism
Is based on the idea that technology and economics are the most important factors in moulding any culture
Also suggests these factors determine the way we live in and perceive our own culture

9. Wrap Up – Applying the schools
As we watch the following video make a chart and make points on how each School of Thought would view the issue of how computers have evolved to become a dominant – even defining – aspect of our culture
Functionalism
(Why and How)
Structuralism
(Binary Opp.)
Cultural Materialism
(Tech and Econ.)