Readings for a History of Anthropological Theory

by Paul A. Erickson, Liam D. Murphy

This comprehensive anthology presents 34 readings that are critical to an understanding of anthropological theory and the development of anthropology as an academic discipline. The readings have broad anthropological appeal, emphasizing cultural anthropology in the North American and European traditions. Thematic coverage begins with nineteenth-century foundations and forerunners, before moving on to the early and mid-twentieth century when anthropology comes of age. The last section looks at numerous late twentieth-century and early twenty-first-century developments in anthropological theory, including feminist anthropology, postmodernity, medical anthropology, and globalization.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Social Science

Paperback

Published March 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Dr. Paul A. Anderson, Ph.D. (Connecticut), is Professor of Anthropology at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Reviews

[sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my cultural theory class, and the reading selections in this are good! It's a comprehensive look at the canon, but there are some parts where excerpts from articles are cut out. For example, Bourdieu's article on habitus has the introduction cut out for some reason. I'm not sure why this happens, but it doesn't impact too much of the reading experience. A good start to anthropological theory!

[Carrie Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best resource for cultural theory primary sources that I’ve ever found. The 6th edition is also out and likely has more updated sources.

[Sophie 🥱 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idgaf that this is a textbook i read most of it so it’s going here

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't read unless forced.

[Janet Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for ANTH 304

[Viviana Nunez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 495 pages I’m counting it

[Xarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a lot of good pieces on anthropological theory. I would recommend reading this book with Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History (4th edition) by R. Jon McGee and Richard Warms. They work really well together.

[Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred my undergrad text to this version - it was exclusive and incomplete. Lacked helpful details for studying