Cultural Anthropology - Tapa blanda

The second edition of Barbara Miller's Cultural Anthropology takes an innovative approach to the subject by combining a solid materialist foundation with attention to interpretive approaches and findings. This contemporary book continues to emphasize social inequality and explain its affect on economy, kinship, politics, religion, and language while still covering the core concepts of cultural anthropology. Contemporary issues, such as health systems, migration, and development, are integrated through out the book to highlight the practical applications and relevance of cultural anthropology studies to today's society. Miller's knack for showing students how anthropology is relevant to their lives and skill at generating lively discussion continue to win her book high praise. In addition to a greater focus on theory, the newest edition features new discussions and the latest research on the affect of development on indigenous peoples, the relationship between development and social inequality, and new examples of human resistance in the face of large-scale exogenous development. The Table of Contents has been reorganized to streamline the coverage of certain topics and create room to reinstate topics that have been popular in previous editions. Finally, a new layout with larger pages and an improved design make the text more accessible and easier to read.

Truly integrating issues of class, gender, race, ethnicity, and age, Miller's contemporary text engages students by concretely showing the relevance of anthropology to their lives. Faculty and students alike praise the book's proven ability to generate class discussion, effectively promote student learning, and facilitate good teaching. Utilizing clear writing, a balanced theoretical approach, and engaging examples, Miller stresses the importance of considering social inequality, cultural change, and applied aspects of anthropology throughout the book. The rich examples of gender, ethnicity, race, class, and age thread through the core topical coverage of economic systems, the life-cycle, health, kinship, social organization and politics, language, religion, and expressive culture. Each chapter highlights an example of applied anthropology and connects with students by providing practical tips about how they can use anthropology in their everyday lives and careers. The final two chapters provide in-depth coverage of how migration is changing world cultures and how international development policies and programs are most effective when shaped according to local people's cultures.