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28 reviews for:
Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction
Peter Just, John Monaghan
3.59 AVERAGE
28 reviews for:
Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction
Peter Just, John Monaghan
3.59 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Great introduction to the subject. Slightly outdated, but it's a product of its time, nothing to be done about that.
I read this for my anthropology course. If you are interested in learning more about ethnography and anthropology, it creates a good base to build on. It shows the perspectives of two anthropologists and their experiences. The book also mentions important anthropologists so if you are interested in their research field you can do further research.
was a very comprehensive refresher on all the important bit of my Intro and Culture Theory anthro classes. Would recommend to anyone seriously considering anthro or wanting to understand what it's all about.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This was a good book, and I like how it didn't shy away from exposing the racist and colonialist origins of anthropology. However, in my opinion, it was heavily biased toward a male viewpoint. (Unsurprising, since it's written by two men.)
For example, one of the issues mentioned was FGM, and they talked about cultural relativism and how this practice actually makes total sense within the context of the culture, how it's accepted even by the women, and echoed in mutilation of the men. I don't know a ton about FGM, but I know it's a hot-button feminist issue, and obviously removing the clit and damaging the sex organs prevents most female pleasure.
I'll have to do more reading into the specific subject, but there were a lot of little moments like that I found questionable. Perhaps I can find a book on anthropology written by women, since the book states they're currently receiving the most degrees in the field.
Audiobook narrator was AMAZING!
For example, one of the issues mentioned was FGM, and they talked about cultural relativism and how this practice actually makes total sense within the context of the culture, how it's accepted even by the women, and echoed in mutilation of the men. I don't know a ton about FGM, but I know it's a hot-button feminist issue, and obviously removing the clit and damaging the sex organs prevents most female pleasure.
I'll have to do more reading into the specific subject, but there were a lot of little moments like that I found questionable. Perhaps I can find a book on anthropology written by women, since the book states they're currently receiving the most degrees in the field.
Audiobook narrator was AMAZING!
funny
informative
Because it's a VERY short introduction to a field that encompasses sociological, economical, and ethnographic research, there were moments I felt whiplash from the new terms and theories that were mentioned. Fortunately, the authors have plenty of stories to share (and they tell them well) from their extensive experience doing ethnographic research in Indonesia, Mexico, and Guatemala. This was a useful and accessible book to get a basic understanding of what sociocultural anthropology is, and how it's morphed into its current form from its origins from "European discovery, colonialism, and natural science."
slow-paced