Antropologia culturale, un approccio ai problemi

by Richard H. Robbins

Learn anthropology within a strong active learning environment when you open Robbins' unique Fifth Edition. This brief, cost-effective text presents a variety of questions focused on the most important issues anthropologists study in first of-of-its-kind, problem-based format. You'll find yourself thinking critically about today's world as you read engaging Chapter Openers, complete integrated exercises, and review unique Case Studies in Doing Anthropology at the end of each chapter, now with new locator maps for your convenience. Robbins's text presents a variety of questions focused on the most important issues anthropologists study in a unique, problem-based format. Within the book's engaging narrative, you'll learn how to analyze your own culture as a basis for understanding the cultures of others. Presentations organized around problems rather than topics, creating a natural discussion of traditional concerns, such as kinship, caste, gender roles, and religion. Meaningful questions integrated throughout further guide you in exploring these subjects.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference, Social Science, College

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Riley Gailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

1st book for 2nd semester classes done!

[Leah Markum · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should not be considered an anthropology. The premise of objectively studying human beings, a premise that sets anthropology from other social sciences does not apply here. While the book covers the usual introductory topics in other textbooks, the language indicates an underlying ideology and a subjective understanding of several subdivisions of society. Essentially, before researching the authors I concluded he was a Democrat and raised in an upper-middle class environment. Other anthropology books I have read do not have Robbins's angular view of society but the genuine anthropological objective observations and academic reasoning of observations--which, as distant as that may sound, it was those books that made me entranced with the insight anthropology provides.

Simply this book is not anthropology. This book is subjective and hints at ideological actions based on the subjective interpretations.

I don't know if this type of text would be acceptable in sociology circles, but otherwise it could be a sociopolitical text or an extended essay. The title could also include a parameter so the reader can know before reading where in the book the information will be distorted. For instance, Robbins clearly has no idea how low and working class individuals socialize as his view is that expended money is a necessity for social interactions. He also asserts that certain socioeconomic and cultural situations are wrong and it would be right to interfere.

Trying to pass ideology and subjective perspective as fact has nothing to do with anthropology. Unfortunately Robbins weaves this among the portions of text that do describe anthropological concepts.

[Blaire Mulcahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this as a textbook for my cultural anthropology class, I found it quite intriguing in each topic and ideaology that is brought forth. It separates each topic such as identity, social hierarchy, marriage and family, language, etc. In a way that allows for the reader to get a basic understanding and to then utilize them in real situations. It is difficult to write a large text about so many different concepts while tying them all together. While what it does lack in making you think critically about how each topic effects the others in each culture and society, it does make you think critically about each topic and how it applies to your life and every culture and society out there. It makes up by providing the reader with the basics and capability of stepping away from the book and saying"I'm ready to learn more".

[Reid Turing · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is tone deaf and contains various forms of racism. The chapter on economics is a mess.

[Prejudice Neutrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is how you write a textbook! Homeboy Richard killed it.

[Victoria Ferrari · Rating 2 out of 5]

l'approccio americano non fa per me

[Michèle · Rating 4 out of 5]

p. 191 sur 250. (deuxième édition, 1997)

Un livre de classe sur les questions de transmission d’habitudes culturelles. Une approche originale, en comparant notre société urbanisée avec des peuplades aux traditions différentes, et beaucoup d’histoire!

J’ai été éclairée par le chapitre sur les religions, résumé par la question:
« Why do people believe different things, and why are they so that their view of the world is correct and other views are wrong? » (p.63)
Ce chapitre montre des exemples frappants de glissement de sens (interpretative drift) qui survient quand on pratique ou on s'immerge dans les rituels.

La construction culturelle de la réalité, ou comment on prend des habitudes mentales, et qu’on reste avec notre clan "confortable".

L'avant-dernier chapitre, montre comment des sociétés construisent un biais favorable (ou défavorable) à la violence collective, en prenant des exemples de peuples anciens, des nations modernes et ... des gangs de rues! La guerre sert-elle vraiment à quelque chose, nous améliore-t-elle?

C'est par l'éducation des jeunes dans les tribus (certaines encouragent les adolescents de huit ans et plus à se fesser dessus), la valorisation de la férocité, la domination sur les femmes, le choix de métaphores qui évacuent les conséquences humaines de la violence (langage sportif, langage "conte de fée" pour justifier une action militaire) que des sociétés ou des gangs facilitent le recours à la violence comme moyen normal de régler des conflits. Les facteurs aggravants sont un accès limité à des ressources, qui favorisent le conflit.

La bonne nouvelle, c'est que l'inverse est aussi possible. On montre des sociétés qui ont établis des mécanismes qui rendent le conflit peu intéressant, en créant de l'interdépendance, et en valorisant le partage.

*
Cultural anthropology helps to understand the roots of cultural traditions and constructed social habits; some constructs are a short-cut of rational thinking. If you're not afraid of "paradigm shift", the book is for yu!

The book is presented in form of questions and answers in many fields. For instance, religions:
« Why do people believe different things, and why are they so that their view of the world is correct and other views are wrong? » (p.63)

I was reading the second edition, now, there are five!


The chapter on the cultural construction of violent conflict is one of the best.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I didn't like that it jumped around a bit, but it did have some great pieces of information. I love the inclusion of exercises to help allow for critical thinking. I strongly recommend this for all students, but especially those studying anthropology or sociology.

[Osman Abdul Rahman]

yet to read.................

[Eric Prentice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great text book, woke up my love of Anthropology while reading it for my Anthropology university course.

[SADIA AYUB · Rating 1 out of 5]

to know about old culture and about what is cultural anthropology