Conrad Phillip Kottak,
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
ISBN: 0073530956 Copyright year: 2008
Feature Summary
News briefs, including several from 2005 and 2006, introduce each chapter and show how anthropology attracts public attention and how it relates to contemporary events, issues, and world affairs.
Interesting Issues boxes have been updated and revised, with a timely new one titled “Intelligent Design versus Evolutionary Theory.” These boxes, which offer unique coverage of current issues in anthropology, many with maps and photos, raise students’ awareness of some of the more provocative aspects of anthropology today.
Critical Thinking Questions and Suggested Additional Readings, found at the end of each chapter, have been updated. There are five critical thinking questions per chapter. These questions allow the student to extend and apply information in that chapter beyond the context in which it was presented originally. The readings direct students to additional work related to the theme of the chapter. This is useful when papers have been assigned on particular topics.
Living Anthropology Student CD-ROM features a powerful marriage of anthropological video clips and pedagogy to reinforce concepts from each chapter of the text. It includes 16 succinct video clips, each corresponding to a chapter in the textbook.
A comprehensive Kottak Anthropology Atlas located in the back of the text. The color Atlas includes 17 maps covering topics important to all four fields in anthropology, accompanied by interpretive questions that test students' skill with map usage. Cross-references to individual maps appear in the margins of most chapters.
The Appendix provides a thought-provoking overview of anthropological theories, their evolution, and relevance to contemporary thought. The essay also includes a timeline charting the historical development of key theories.
A "Linkages" activity at the end of each chapter provides comments and questions that link the text chapter to information in three other McGraw-Hill books often packaged with this text: Assault on Paradise, Fourth Edition, by Conrad Phillip Kottak; Culture Sketches, Fourth Edition, by Holly Peters-Golden; and The Gebusi, a new case study by Bruce Knauft.
Chapter openers improve access to key ideas and themes. Each chapter begins with an outline of key points, a concise overview that helps students organize their reading and focus on critical concepts, and a "News Brief" that conveys the excitement and relevance of anthropological inquiry, illustrated in today’s headlines.
Quick guides to theory ("Applications of Anthropology’s Major Theories" and "Coverage of Race and Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Class") appear on the inside covers of the book, providing quick access, through chapter or page references, to discussions of these critical issues within the text.
"Beyond the Classroom" boxes thematic boxes, found in most chapters, report on student-based research; they enable students to read about the work of their peers, further highlighting the relevance of anthropology in the real world and suggesting possible research and academic options.
Innovative "Bringing It All Together" sections highlight anthropology’s holistic, four field perspective.
The overarching theme of "Understanding Ourselves" helps students see the relevance of anthropology's facts and theories to their own lives.
Chapter-opening previews provide succinct chapter outlines and overviews, helping students focus on the chapter’s critical concepts.
Helpful marginal icons point students to relevant additional information available on the text's companion Online Learning Center.
A thematic box program--“Interesting Issues” and the widely acclaimed “Beyond the Classroom”--captures student interest by focusing in on provocative issues and student research.
An unusually rich visual program of illustrations, including photos with thought-provoking captions, make chapter material clear and inviting.
Easy-to-use end-of-chapter learning aids, including summaries, glossaries, critical thinking questions, atlas and Internet exercises, and lists of suggested readings facilitate chapter review and further study.
To obtain an instructor login for this Online Learning Center, ask your local sales representative.
If you're an instructor thinking about adopting this textbook, request a free copy for review.
2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education