Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System

by John H. Bodley

This introductory text introduces basic concepts in cultural anthropology by comparing cultures of increasing scale and focusing on specific universal issues throughout human history. Cultural materials are presented in integrated ethnographic case studies organized by cultural and geographic areas to show how ideological, social organization, and material features fit together in specific sociocultural systems. John H. Bodley explicitly seeks a balance between ecological-materialist and cultural-ideological explanations of sociocultural systems, while stressing the importance of individual power-seeking and human agency. Part One examines domestic-scale, autonomous tribal cultures. Part Two presents politically organized, class-based civilizations and ancient empires in the imperial world. Part Three surveys global, industrial, market-based civilizations in the contemporary commercial world. Cultural Anthropology uniquely challenges students to consider the big questions about the nature of cultural systems.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Social Science

577 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1996

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another textbook I cling to for nostalgic and sentimental reasons. This one was authored by one of my professors. Say what you want about Washington State University, their anthropology staff was second to none.

[M.F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/5 for the most part, book was a slog to get through but has good information. Last chapter is pretty good though and I find his theory of society scale both enlightening and intriguing. Might read more of his academic work in the future.

[Jonathan]

None