Editing Discourse (section)

===Poststructuralism (Foucault)===
Following the perceived limitations of the modern era, emerged [[postmodernism|postmodern]] theory.<ref name=":1" /> Postmodern theorists rejected modernist claims that there was one theoretical approach that explained all aspects of society.<ref name="Best & Kellner, 1991"/> Rather, postmodernist theorists were interested in examining the variety of experiences of individuals and groups and emphasized differences over similarities and shared experiences.<ref name="Strega, 2005"/>

In contrast to modernist theory, postmodern theory is pessimistic regarding universal truths and realities.  Hence, it has attempted to be fluid, allowing for individual differences as it rejects the notion of social laws.  Postmodern theorists shifted away from truth-seeking and sought answers to how truths are produced and sustained. Postmodernists contended that truth and knowledge are plural, contextual, and historically produced through discourses. Postmodern researchers, therefore, embarked on analyzing discourses such as texts, language, policies, and practices.<ref name="Strega, 2005"/>