Anthropology: A Perspective on the Human Condition - Softcover

A truly balanced treatment of the major subfields of anthropology, this text provides more extensive coverage of physical anthropology and archaeology than any other introductory text. Reviewers found the chapter on primates unusually complete, with coverage of traditional and cladistic taxonomy, in addition to standard descriptions about each major primate category. Also included are important issues in primatology: sociobiology, socioecology, aggression affiliation, intelligence studies, and language. Archaeology is treated in three chapters and includes feminist archaeology, ethnoarchaeology, and postprocessualism.
Material on gender and feminist anthropology is featured throughout the text rather than being relegated to a separate chapter. Considerations of gender are found in almost every chapter pertaining to cultural anthropology, including coverage of supernumerary sexes and genders (such as berdaches in Native North America, Chapter 18) and nonreproductive sexual practices (Chapter 19). Work by scholars such as Linda Fedigan and Barbara Smuts in primatology, and Margaret Conkey and Joan Gero in archaeology, provide important new insights into some key roles assumed by females.
The text takes a world-system approach. The text systematically points out the extent to which a people's current sociocultural situation has been shaped by their history of contact with the world system and their degree of incorporation within it. Students will see that cultures cannot be studied out of context, and will begin to acquire an appreciation of the interrelatedness of the society in which we live.
Many new voices, including those of indigenous peoples and researchers outside the field of anthropology, are incorporated in commentaries called "In Their Own Words." Anthropologists, journalists, and farmers, among others, offer observations on topics featured in the chapters. The variety of perspectives will challenge students to take a broader view of anthropological issues.
Chapter maps pinpoint the locations of peoples and places discussed in detail within the chapters. Students will be able to see at a glance where the sites and cultures covered in each chapter can be found on a global map.
EthnoProfiles provide concise ethnographic profiles of the peoples discussed at length in the text; each includes a detailed map of the group's location, which is incorporated into the chapter-opening global map. These brief summaries include data on location, population, environment, livelihood, and political organization. A source for further information gives students a starting point for more in-depth study.