Cultural Anthropology (with InfoTrac) [Paperback]

William A. Haviland (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 053427479X | ISBN-13: 978-0534274795 | Publication Date: July 1, 2002 | Edition: 10

Comprehensive, readable and written for the student, Haviland's market-leading text, CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, is a relevant, high-quality teaching tool. In CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Haviland challenges and supports students with a thoughtful look at the diversity of the human condition; an examination into the field of cultural anthropology, its findings, and its relevance; and the continuing role of cultural survival issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The information provides a good introduction to the field, providing a rich balance between theory and example and application."

"The quality of Haviland is outstanding with regard to the introduction of key concepts and the discussion of those concepts."

"With regard to the comparison with the present text I am using, I'm beginning to think that the Haviland text is written in a more interesting and engaging style!"

"Clearly written and conceptualized."

"This is an exceptionally well written text and very easy to digest by entry-level students." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dr. William A. Haviland is Professor Emeritus at the University of Vermont, where he has taught since 1965. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and has published widely on archaeological, ethnological, and physical anthropological research carried out in Guatemala, Maine, and Vermont. Dr. Haviland is a member of many professional societies, including the American Anthropological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and he has participated in many projects, including "Gender and the Anthropological Curriculum," sponsored by the American Anthropological Association in 1988. Dr. Haviland has always loved teaching and writing for Anthropology students and he has a passionate interest in indigenous rights, having worked with the Maya for years. He continues to work with Native Americans in the northeastern United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 10 edition (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 053427479X
• ISBN-13: 978-0534274795
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,713,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introductory Text, June 20, 2005

By 

PrOfEsSer (fLOrIDa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Paperback)

This is one of the better anthropology texts available today. It is very comprehensive, well-organized, and takes a very broad view of the human condition. The problem with textbooks is that they sometimes summarize issues as if they were settled questions, when, in reality, many of the problems involved are the subjects of complex debate. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since the majority of undergraduate students are not interested in primary sources that are very difficult to read and take a lot of work to understand. As an instructor I found the book to be very good as a basic resource that allowed me to teach my perspective of the discipline to students using supplementary materials and lectures. The major drawback is that it is so expensive, but not more so than other textbooks out there.

Here is what one of my very good students said about the book, "I found it to be well-organized, thorough, and easy to understand. I have never taken a class in this subject before, so I have nothing to compare it to, but as far as I can tell it is a useful text. I had one other cultural anthropology class this term and I was able to use the textbook from your class as a reference from time to time. I chose anthropology as my minor, and so for further reference purposes I have kept the text from your class."

Students who have strong political views (right or left) will say this book is "biased" since it does not claim that Western civilization, Christianity, or American culture are superior or inferior to other cultures. The book, for example, teaches that ethnocentrism, racism, economic exploitation, colonialism, and polluting the environment are generally not good things-- but these evils are not new to the world or authored by any one particular culture. Those who don't like the idea of multiculturalism will not like the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Curtral Anthropology in a Detailed Sense, December 26, 2007

By 

SpeedChick82009 "Speedy" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Paperback)

I wouldn't have normally purchased this book if it wasn't for a course requirement. From chapter one all the way to the end, the authors take the reader or student through a detailed interface of what life is like experienced in other cultures. It touches upon the four different career interests in cultural anthropology as well. A time consuming read, but loaded with useful information for in and out of the class room.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cultural Anthropology, 11th edition, July 13, 2010

By 

Squares - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Paperback)

This book is straightforward and easy to understand. Chapters are organized and vocabulary and main topics are summarized at the end of the book; sometimes I'd just read these parts and I would understand the entire chapter.