I need a synonym for "part of"

In the following sentence I need to find a synonym for "part of". Also I don't like how "construe" sounds in the sentence.

The sociological perspective of structuralism construes aspects of society as being part of a cohesive and self-sustainable system.

Try:

The sociological perspective of structuralism interprets aspects of society as being elements of a cohesive and self-sustainable system.