Cultural Anthropology: A Perspective on the Human Condition, 8th Edition eBook

Cultural Anthropology: A Perspective on the Human Condition is an introductory cultural anthropology text that explores the interplay of cultural creativity, human agency, and material constraint in the shaping of human cultural traditions. By focusing on contemporary applications of anthropology, the text encourages students to think critically about culture and to view the world in new ways. The authors incorporate cutting-edge theory into solid coverage of traditional topics and pay special attention to issues of power and inequality in the contemporary world, including gender inequalities, racism, ethnic discrimination, nationalism, caste, and class. Covering the material in 14 chapters, the text fits well into a semester-long introductory course structure. ‘In Their Own Words’ commentaries expose students to alternative perspectives from non-anthropologists and indigenous peoples, and ‘EthnoProfile’ boxes provide maps and ethnographic summaries of each society discussed at length in the text. The text also features many pedagogical aids, including a running glossary, chapter summaries and key terms at chapter ends, and annotated suggestions for further reading.