Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective

by Gary P. Ferraro

Explore cultural anthropology in an applied and fascinating way with Gary Ferraro's CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: AN APPLIED PERSPECTIVE. This contemporary and student-relevant text gives you all the key material you need for your introductory course, plus it will show you that anthropology is for you! With real world applications of the principles and practices of anthropology, this book will help you learn to appreciate other cultures as well as your own. Apply what you learn in this course to those situations that you are likely to encounter in your personal and professional life. What can you do with anthropology today? Check out the real-life examples of cross-cultural misunderstandings and issues (in our popular "Cross-Cultural Miscues" features) to view 'culture at work.' Also, the book takes a look at specialized vocabularies as illustrated by "chickspeak" (the language of single, urban, upwardly mobile women), the war in Iraq, environmental degradation, and other contemporary topics.

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology, Textbooks, Science, Reference

Paperback

Published February 26, 2007

About the author

Gary P. Ferraro is a Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Anthropology is the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities." ~Alfred L. Kroeber

A Cultural Anthropology textbook that was, at one time, requisite at both Columbia Basin College and Washington State University. I’m sure it has undergone many updates and revisions since it last occupied space in my book bag, circa 1992.

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthropology, the science of "what makes us human" really is as fascinating as I expected. Partly I was curious because one of my nieces is majoring in anthropology and what she told me over the last few years has piqued my interest. But the other, larger, part of my "need to know" is because I wanted to find out more about the way scientists examine the way humans behave. I figured it might have an impact on my writing, as well as how I "design" alien societies when I write science fiction. I am happy to report that I was right!

Divided into 14 chapters, this book gives an introduction into Cultural Anthropology, with some hints at the other three subfields (physical/biological anthropology, archeology or the cultures of the past, and linguistic anthropology). Of course I now want to take courses in those areas as well, so I'll be busy for a while. Also, we did not delve into all the chapters in the course, but I have now read the three chapters that were missing and they were just as fascinating.

As textbooks go, this one is very practice oriented, contains a host of case studies and examples, and is a great way to show how diverse we all are while being more interconnected than ever.

Great reading and definitely recommended - even if you're not taking a course but just want to find out more about the "human condition" and how we developed the many cultures present today.

[Joseph McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great textbook that covers many topics and provides real world examples.

[Wakeel Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

its very well written and is totally researched based like.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Anthropology in general and Cultural Anthropology in particular is having the potential to give you a mind or even life changing perspective about human beings overall. Combine these potentialities with beautifully illustrated book like that of Ferraro's, ultimate beauty. Enjoyed each and every page of it like taking a beautiful Sunday breakfast at a beautiful restaurant.

[Brandon Fryman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really geared to teach students anthropology in its basic form. It says it has an applied perspective...ehhh. I am still using it for my class and adding other articles to suppliment the missing applied aspect.

[Lexi Muhlenbeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I am going to enjoy this class. The reading is pretty interesting so far.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book about a year ago. I just left it on the shelf in the bathroom. Haha. But it was really interesting...

[Janice Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. My world view was renewed AND expanded. Of course, as an online student, I also got to view actual videos from various cultures and the book came to life.

[Garland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This text book, while passable, wasn't terribly readable.