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Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) | 
 enlarge | Authors: John Monaghan, Peter Just
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $11.95
Buy New: $6.83
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Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 5115
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 168
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.5
ISBN: 0192853465
Dewey Decimal Number: 306
EAN: 9780192853462
ASIN: 0192853465
Publication Date: June 15, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
"If you want to know what anthropology is, look at what anthropologists do," write the authors of Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. This engaging overview of the field combines an accessible account of some of the discipline's guiding principles and methodology with abundant examples and illustrations of anthropologists at work.
Peter Just and John Monaghan begin by discussing anthropology's most important contributions to modern thought: its investigation of culture as a distinctively human characteristic, its doctrine of cultural relativism, and its methodology of fieldwork and ethnography. Drawing on examples from their own fieldwork in Indonesia and Mesoamerica, they examine specific ways in which social and cultural anthropology have advanced our understanding of human society and culture. Including an assessment of anthropology's present position, and a look forward to its likely future, Social and Cultural Anthropology will make fascinating reading for anyone curious about this social science.
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| Customer Reviews:
using this for undergrads December 13, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
After disheartening forays into text books and frustration at readers that are either too thematic or otherwise not quite right for a quick orientation in the discipline, I decided to check this out. This is about as perfect a scene-setter as I could ask for for either an intro course or any course that is likely to attract students who do not have an anthropological background. It's pocket-sized, it's affordable, it's readable, and it's SMART. It covers theoretical debates in a straight-forward and understandable way that shows why anyone should care about evolution vs. diffusion (to name one example). This little book as does about a good a job as any at showing how (and why) anthropologists and others use the word "post-modernity" (pg 69). The field examples are well chosen and engaging. The chapters are of a length and written in a style students are likely to read. Even better, the authors give enough tantalizing detail that I suspect it will inspire students to read MORE.
A very good Introduction November 10, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first time I laid my hands on this little pocket size book I could not put it away until I drained out all its information. This book really gave a very concise idea about anthropology and its subfields. The authors provided valuable first hand examples about their experiences as anthropologists and ethnographers. This book is perfect for those who would like to get a brief understanding of what anthropology is about and also good for experts because the authors managed to incorporate some of the most relevant anthropologists.
A Very Smart Introduction June 19, 2005
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
I wanted my 100th review for Amazon to be for something I could wholeheartedly recommend, and this is it.
The authors manage, within severe space restrictions, to convey the essential features of their discipline, an outline of its history and development, and an indication of the philosophical and moral issues that it raises.
Monaghan's work with the Mixtec of Central America and Just's work with the Dou Donggo of Indonesia are used as sources for the anecdotal details that are used throughout the book to illustrate aspects of anthropology. This is very much a description of anthropology as a practical endeavor, a hands-on discipline whose theories are firmly grounded in the everyday lives of human beings.
Broader theoretical contexts, such as are found in Marxism or Structuralism, are touched on but no more. Those are the things you go on to read about after your appetite has been whetted by an excellent introduction such as this.
Not Mired In Postmodern Rhetoric September 6, 2002
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is the first Anthropology introduction I have read that doesn't get bogged down in postmodern academic speak. It was very clear and interesting, with good examples.This was the first VSI I read and it made me fall in love with the series.
Get a first impression of the field April 5, 2001
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
This is a great little book to get a first impression of anthropology. The two authors present different historical developments and schools of thought. I had not know anything about this academic field before, but this book made me want to read more. Especially helpful with that were the examples that pertained to the authors' own fieldwork in Mexico and Indonesia. Reading about bee larvas and onion soup just makes the ideas presented more "real".
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