http://www.msubillings.edu/commfaculty/coffman/310 on--campus/ppts F 07/310 critical theory F 07aa.ppt

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Communication and Theatre 310 Organizational
Communication Critical Theory based upon Dennis
Mumby and Stanley Deetz
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The rules seem natural. What does this mean?
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Critical theory uncovering the assumptions
(faults, strengths, dysfunction and power
relations) that are hidden in our written text or
oral speech then suggesting alternatives where
needed.
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Critical Theory examines how these issues are

• initiated,
• maintained,
• reproduced,
• and transformed

within specific social, economic, political, and
historical contexts (Van Dijk, 1988).
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• Critical theorists want us to analyze
• power imbalances, such as . . .
• social inequities, such as . . .
• and non-democratic practices, such as.

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Discourse is created and constrained by social
structure

• class
• status
• age
• race
• gender

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Discourse is created and constrained by
co-cultures and sub-cultures

• professional co-cultures
• MSU-B sub-cultures
• Family co-cultures
• Church co-cultures
• Exercise sub-cultures
• Diet sub-culture
• Etc.

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Discourse is created and constrained by our
(very) local languaging community via text and
talk

• Harry Potter by JK Rowling
• The Grammar of Motives by K Burke

• Talk in this room.
• Talk in our families.

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A critical approach to discourse seeks to link
talk and text (local level) with the underlying
power structures in society (cultural level)
What did President Bush tell America to do after
9/11? Go shopping.
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Communication, power and organization are
interdependent and co-constructed phenomena
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Gender
In a paternal culture we see the replication of
white males in power positions.
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What is the difference between produce and
reproduce?
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Hegemonic masculinity is dominating by
controlling the norms, standards, rules, routines.
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Corporate hegemony create new disease markets to
make money. PMS or PMDD and Prozac
Sarafem is an FDA-approved prescription
treatment that relieves both the mood and
physical symptoms of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric
Disorder). Many physicians believe that Sarafem
helps to correct the imbalance of serotonin that
could contribute to PMDD (PMS).
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Ricky Williams paid to say I take Paxil for
social anxiety disorder.
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• Lauren Hutton paid to say Hormones are the
  number 1 secret in treating menopause.

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Manufactured consent what is socially
legitimate (rules of society/organization).

• Work starts at 0800.
• Respect your parents.
• Thats the way we do things around here.

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Employees learn to police themselves. Taking time
off to care for a sick child or elderly parent is
sometimes a benefit but many perceive they cant
take it. How come? How about the term liberal?
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End of Critical Theory Lecture