Description
The new edition of textbook written for introductory undergraduate courses. The material is organized around problems of general concern, with each chapter addressing a specific question such as explaining the emergence of the modern nation state or understanding the dynamics of family life in other societies. Other topics include the social and cultural construction of reality, problems of identity, the construction of social hierarchy, and the justification and meaning of collective violence. For each problem a number of readings and case studies are provided that address more specific questions within the broader topic. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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This widely adopted text provides a fresh look at cultural anthropology and challenges students to engage in active and collaborative learning and critical thinking, as well as to recognize their own cultures as a basis for understanding the cultures of others. The book is organized around problems rather than topics, creating a natural and integrated discussion of such traditional concerns as kinship, caste, gender roles, and religion within the context of meaningful questions, including How can people begin to understand beliefs and behaviors that are different from their own. How do societies give meaning to and justify collective violence? Why are some societies more industrially advanced that others? What can anthropology tell us about attempts to link intelligence and class?
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