Categories
critical theory
The systematic critical analysis of systemic power relations in society, especially in their influence on or underpinning in normative communication, social knowledge production, and popular or conventionl concepts of values like “truth”, with the normative aim of challenging or undermining those systemic power relations
cultural studies
The systematic study or examination of the dynamics of contemporary culture–that is, a systematic study and examination of the process and conditions of cultural change as well as the role of culture in processes of social, political or economic change more broadly
ethnic studies
The systematic study of the production of difference, especially difference in terms of marking or culture, through the exercise of power, and the influence of difference, especially difference in terms of marking or culture, on the opportunities for and constrants on power
Feminist Theory
The systematic study of the phenomena and nature of gender inequality and the role of power in the production of gender difference, as well as examining those consequent differences and their impact in various social fields or domains
Gender Studies
The systematic study of the phenomenon of gender identity, the ascription or perception of gender in bodies, behaviors or activities, and the social construction as well as performance of gender
Psychoanalysis
The development or application of a set of theories or techniques whereby meanings or implications that occur independent of the subject’s/self’s/agent’s awareness/intention when self-expressing are interpreted or extracted, with the aim of disrupting, destabilizing or challenging the established self- or life narrative of that subject/self/agent and its role in their system of behavior
Psychology
The plausible positing and repeated empirical corroboration of hypotheses explaining collections of mental and behavioral facts, the mathematical modeling of relationships among mental or behavioral factors, and the statistical analysis of observed patterns of mental activity or behavior
Queer Theory
The systematic study and theorization of those gender or gender-related phenomena as well as sexual practices which challenge heteronormativity or destabilize heterosexuality as a fixed and wholly exclusive or “untainted” category
Sexuality Studies
The systematic study of the concept of sexuality and the phenomenon of sexual identity, the ascription or perception of sexuality or sexual categories for activities or behaviors, and the social construction of sexuality or sexiness, as well as the performance of sex or ‘sexiness’
Sociology
The plausible positing and repeated empirical corroboration of hypotheses explaining collections of facts regarding persistent interaction among agents or the behavior of agents that share an infrastructure they are embedded in; the mathematical modeling of relationships among factors involved in such persistent interaction, shared infrastructure or coordinated action among agents; and the statistical analysis of observed patterns within interactions between agents, in the impacts of shared infrastructure upon agents, and the outcomes of strategies or tactics of coordination among agents.
Philosophy
The systematic normative study of the relationships among concepts, typically for purposes of sharpening discrimination of worldviews and developing perceptual or normative discernment