Explore cultural anthropology and its relevance in today's world with Gary Ferraro and Susan Andreatta's CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: AN APPLIED PERSPECTIVE, Tenth Edition. This contemporary book provides interesting real-world examples and applications of the principles and practices of anthropology, helping readers appreciate other cultures as well as their own--and apply what they learn to situations in their personal and professional life.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.