This supplementary reader is composed of both classic and contemporary articles that demonstrate the significant contributions that cultural anthropologists make; the emphasis is on the applicability of cultural anthropology to understanding and improving the present day human condition.
This is a great introduction to anthropology, particularly for a student. Short essays address a range of issues from polyandry in Tibet to household workers in Western Europe. My favorite was "Reading Shakespeare in the Bush," about a young woman's attempt to explain "Hamlet" to her new neighbors in the African bush. Provides a basic foundation of linguistics, sociology, and archeology as well.