Readings for a History of Anthropological Theory, Third Edition

by Paul A. Erickson, Liam D. Murphy (Editor)

This comprehensive anthology presents 40 readings that are critical to an understanding of anthropological theory and the development of anthropology as an academic discipline. The readings have broad anthropological appeal, emphasizing social and cultural anthropology.

The third edition has been completely revised throughout and organized to work more closely alongside the companion overview text, A History of Anthropological Theory . It includes six new readings as well as two original essays written by contemporary anthropologists on "Why Theory Matters." These new essays help ground the more abstract readings in the collection. The glossary has been significantly expanded and the discussion questions have been revised. The result is a volume that offers not only a strong foundation in the history of the discipline but also a good overview of developments in twentieth- and twenty-first-century anthropological theory, including feminist anthropology, postmodernity, medical anthropology, globalization, postcolonialism, and public anthropology.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Social Science

632 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Dr. Paul A. Anderson, Ph.D. (Connecticut), is Professor of Anthropology at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Reviews

[sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my cultural theory class, and the reading selections in this are good! It's a comprehensive look at the canon, but there are some parts where excerpts from articles are cut out. For example, Bourdieu's article on habitus has the introduction cut out for some reason. I'm not sure why this happens, but it doesn't impact too much of the reading experience. A good start to anthropological theory!

[Carrie Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best resource for cultural theory primary sources that I’ve ever found. The 6th edition is also out and likely has more updated sources.

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't read unless forced.

[Janet Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for ANTH 304

[Viviana Nunez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 495 pages I’m counting it

[Xarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a lot of good pieces on anthropological theory. I would recommend reading this book with Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History (4th edition) by R. Jon McGee and Richard Warms. They work really well together.

[Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred my undergrad text to this version - it was exclusive and incomplete. Lacked helpful details for studying