An Invitation to Anthropology - The Structure, Evolution and Cultural Identity of Human Societies

Synthesizing British, French and American traditions, this stimulating and accessible text presents a comprehensive and fascinating introduction to social and cultural anthropology. It offers an original approach through integrating knowledge produced from a variety of perspectives, placing cultural and social anthropology in a wider context including macro-sociological concepts and reference to biological evolution. Written in a clear and concise style, it conveys to the student the complexities of a discipline focusing on the structure, evolution and cultural identity of human societies up to the present day.

The text consists of four major parts: the scope and method of anthropology, a conceptual and institutional overview, the evolution of the structure of human societies, and the cultural politics of race, ethnicity, nationalism and multiculturalism.

List of contents

Introduction

Aims

Bibliography

MODULE 1

The scope and method of anthropology

Introduction

Aims

1. Definitions

2. The sub-disciplines of anthropology

3. The concept of culture

4. Ethnography

5. The uses of history in anthropology

6. Sociology and social/cultural anthropology

7. The historical and comparative method

8. Fads and foibles of anthropology

Summary

Essay questions

Test questions

Bibliography

Answers to test questions

MODULE 2

Conceptual and institutional overview

Introduction

Aims

1. Economics

2. Kinship

3. Person, self and individual

4. Religion

Summary

Essay questions

Test questions

Bibliography

Answers to test questions

MODULE 3

The evolution and structure of human societies

Introduction

Aims

1. Darwin's theory of evolution

2. The human legacy: adapted mind or adaptable mind?

3. The study of humanity: assumptions, theories and typologies

4. Hunting and gathering, horticultural and pastoral societies

5. Agrarian societies

6. Industrial societies: the making of the mpdern world

Summary

Essay questions

Test questions

Bibliography

Answers to test questions

MODULE 4

The politics of cultural identity: nationalism, ethnicity, race and multiculturalism

Introduction

Aims

1. Definitions

2. Nations and nationalism

3. Ethnicity

4. Race

5. The politics of multiculturalism

Summary

Essay questions

Test questions

Bibliography

Answers to test questions

EPILOGUE

Anthropology and the contemporary world

1. The anthropology of Europe

2. The process of cultural globalisation

3. Looking at the future: a clash of civilisations?

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Josep R. Llobera (1939-2010) was born in Havana and brought up in Catalonia. He made Britain his home in 1969. He was a visiting Professor of Anthropology at University College London and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.

Summary

Synthesizing British, French and American traditions, this stimulating and accessible text presents a comprehensive and fascinating introduction to social and cultural anthropology. It offers an original approach through integrating knowledge produced from a variety of perspectives, placing cultural and social anthropology in a wider context including macro-sociological concepts and reference to biological evolution. Written in a clear and concise style, it conveys to the student the complexities of a discipline focusing on the structure, evolution and cultural identity of human societies up to the present day.

The text consists of four major parts: the scope and method of anthropology, a conceptual and institutional overview, the evolution of the structure of human societies, and the cultural politics of race, ethnicity, nationalism and multiculturalism.

Additional text

"Llobera's book is impressive in its comprehensive and encyclopaedic presentation of theories and key concepts relating to all aspects human societies...Although controversial, Llobera's elementary book is welcome because it opens the way for new debates and discussions in anthropology...[It] is courageous and provocative, but first of all it is a 'fresh', detailed and sophisticated introduction to an old discipline."�����Social Anthropology

"This introduction to anthropology for undergraduates reflects a blend of textbooks in Europe and the US...excellent chapters."�����JRAI

Product details

• Authors: J. R. Llobera, Josep R. Llobera, Josep R. Llobera†
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.10.2003
• EAN: 9781571815989
• ISBN: 978-1-57181-598-9
• No. of pages: 272
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 14 mm
• Weight: 402 g
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Theory and Methodology, Cultural Studies (General)