Indiana Social Studies S.2.8

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Culture

The Standard

Explain how functionalists, interactionists, and conflict theorists differ in their view of culture.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain three ways to study culture. They look at how shared customs hold groups together, how people give symbols meaning, and how powerful groups shape cultural rules.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a school dress code, a student can explain why a functionalist might see it as creating shared expectations. They can also explain how students interpret clothing and ask who sets the rules and who faces penalties.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the three views disagree about whether culture exists, rather than asking different questions about it. They may also assume a custom helps everyone equally just because it creates order.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A school bans hats. In three labeled sentences, explain how each viewpoint would interpret the rule.

Lesson moves

Give pairs nine printed statements about a school dress code and have them sort the statements by viewpoint.
Ask students to write three answers to: Why does our school have a mascot, one from each viewpoint?
Play lens bingo: read statements about graduation robes, then have students cover a viewpoint and defend their choice.
Hand out your school dress code and ask students to mark a rule that may affect one group more than another.

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