Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity [Paperback]

Conrad Kottak (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0078116996 | ISBN-13: 978-0078116995 | Publication Date: February 4, 2010 | Edition: 14

Focused on the appreciation of anthropology, the new edition of Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity offers an up-to-date holistic introduction to general anthropology from the four-field perspective. Key themes of appreciating the experiences students bring to the classroom, appreciating human diversity, and appreciating the field of anthropology are showcased throughout the text. In this edition, Understanding Ourselves chapter openers and Through the Eyes of Others boxes show how anthropology helps us understand ourselves. New Appreciating Diversity boxes focus on the various forms of human biological and cultural diversity. Appreciating Anthropology boxes are also new to the text and focus on the value and usefulness of anthropological research and approaches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Conrad Phillip Kottak (A.B. Columbia, 1963; Ph.D. Columbia, 1966) is the Julian H. Steward Collegiate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1968. He served as Anthropology Department chair from 1996 to 2006. In 1991 he was honored for his teaching by the University and the state of Michigan. In 1992 he received an excellence in teaching award from the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts of the University of Michigan. In 1999 the America Anthropological Association awarded Professor Kottak the AAA/Mayfield Award for Excellence in the Undergraduate Teaching of Anthropology.

Professor Kottak has done ethnographic fieldwork in cultural anthropology in Brazil (since 1962), Madagascar (since 1966), and the United States. Conrad Kottak's articles have appeared in academic journals including American Anthropologist, Journal of Anthropological Research, American Ethnologist, Ethnology, Human Organization, and Luso-Brazilian Review. He has also written for more popular journals, including Transaction/SOCIETY, Natural History, Psychology Today, and General Anthropology.

In recent research projects, Kottak and his colleagues have investigated the emergence of ecological awareness in Brazil, the social context of deforestation in Madagascar, and popular participation in economic development planning in northeastern Brazil.

Recently, Kottak was inducted to The National Academy of Sciences. This is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare.

Product Details

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 14 edition (February 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0078116996
• ISBN-13: 978-0078116995
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good overview for what it is, November 2, 2010

By 

MO "mm" (Eastern Seaboard) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity (Paperback)

Books like this are a good start to appreciating human diversity, which goes way beyond what we imagine possible, in our Newtonian/Cartesian world view. I do so love Anthropology. If you want to go further with diversity of what is possible, other books, Urban Shaman, The Future Is Yours: Do Something About It!, Lost Secrets of Ancient Hawaiian Huna, Volume 1, ThetaHealing can be helpful; all are written by Americans, in a distinctly nonacademic way. Grandfather is an intro to a different kind of world, as isWhispers of the ncients: Native Tales for Teaching and Healing in Our Time, and House of Shattering Light: Life as an American Indian Mystic, or Journey to the Ancestral Self: The Native Lifeway Guide to Living in Harmony With Earth Mother, Book 1 (Bk.1). Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives is a very superficial discussion of what indigenous spiritual apprenticeship could be. Chi Kung: Way of Power and Wong Kiew Kit's books show some unusual survivals of nonwestern ideas in Chinese culture. Joseph Murphy The Power of Your Subconscious Mind gives some idea of just how diverse even just America can be. This book is a good start, like a tourist guide to human diversity. I have to say I enjoyed Dr. Kottak's classes immensely, he is a very entertaining speaker, in addition to having a lot of knowledge.

2.0 out of 5 stars Lullaby, December 19, 2011

By 

RamSlam (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity (Kindle Edition)

Daggon this book was boring! I took an introductory class to Anthropology in college and every time I had to read this textbook I was literally falling asleep. It is SUCH a boring read I didn't know what to do with myself. It was painful to read this sucker.

5.0 out of 5 stars Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity Book, November 30, 2011

By 

Clinton J. Freeman (mahomet, Il us) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity (Paperback)

Great book! Kottak gives a lot of detail about all four fields of Anthropology. Examples of cultures around the world are used which gives the reader glimpses into many different types of cultures. Definitely a good book for anyone who might be interested in getting into anthropology!