Anthropology: What Does It Mean to Be Human?

by Robert H. Lavenda, Emily A. Schultz

A unique alternative to more traditional, encyclopedic introductory texts, What Does It Mean to Be Human? takes a question-oriented approach that illuminates major concepts for students. Structuring each chapter around an important question, the authors explore what it means to
be human, incorporating answers from all four subfields of anthropology--cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology--and offering a more balanced perspective than other texts. They address central issues of the discipline, highlighting the controversies
and commitments that are shaping contemporary anthropology.

FEATURES :
* Covers the material in fifteen concise chapters--an ideal text for a one-semester course
* Addresses issues of power and inequality in the contemporary world--including racism, ethnic discrimination, nationalism, caste, and class
* Incorporates cutting-edge theory and gender and feminist anthropology throughout
* Takes an explicitly global approach, discussing ways in which the spread of capitalism has drastically reshaped how people everywhere live their lives
* Presents new voices and alternative perspectives from nonanthropologists and indigenous peoples through "In Their Own Words" commentaries
* Provides ethnographic summaries--with maps--of each society discussed at length in the text in "EthnoProfile" boxes
* Integrates additional helpful pedagogical aids including key terms, a running glossary, chapter summaries, maps, and annotated suggestions for further reading
* Supplemented by an Instructor's Manual and Computerized Test Bank Course Management Systems are available from your Oxford representative.

Genres: Anthropology, Textbooks, School, Nonfiction, Science

560 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introductory textbook for a four-fields class, but it can still be fairly boring at times, even in its choice of case studies. As an anthropologist working on international economic development, I did not find the chapter on globalization satisfactory. The added chapter on medical anthropology was a thorough overview. Textbook comes with good partner assignments like reading quizzes and modules. I would assign this book again for a four-fields intro because it gets the job done and it definitely has the best price point.

[Maria Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbook for Introduction to Anthropology course at my university. Explains anthropological concepts very well so that someone who has never studied the subject before (like me) can easily grasp it. Interesting case studies presented throughout to reinforce concepts.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very informational, I got about a third of the way through, so I technically didn't finish, as our class didn't go through the entire book. Though, I thought what we read was interesting and I wanted to remember that I read it.

[Jesse Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very interesting course and I enjoyed it very much

[Trinity]

Read for Michael Rodgers ANTH 100 course. Intro to Anthropology

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

re reading a classic text for class

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brilliant textbook that takes a pragmatic and multi-disciplinary approach to beginner's anthropological knowledge. Case studies present aspects of field work to the student, a critical element in anthropology that is typically lacking in primary ANTH education. Easy to follow with a superb glossary. One of the best texts I've used to date.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my choice in texts.
not bad...just not my first pick

[Brad Needham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no other Anthropology texts to compare it to (hence the 3 stars), but I enjoyed this text. It felt like a thorough and engaging introduction to the field. On the down side, it did feel a bit editorial at times, placing some positions' terms in quotes while leaving other positions' terms without quotes.