Introduction to Cultural Ecology

by Mark Q. Sutton

This contemporary introduction to the principles and research base of cultural ecology is the ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses that deal with the intersection of humans and the environment in traditional societies. After introducing the basic principles of cultural anthropology, environmental studies, and human biological adaptations to the environment, the book provides a thorough discussion of the history of, and theoretical basis behind, cultural ecology. The bulk of the book outlines the broad economic strategies used by traditional hunting/gathering, horticulture, pastoralism, and agriculture. Fully explicated with cases, illustrations, and charts on topics as diverse as salmon ceremonies among Northwest Coast Indians, contemporary Maya agriculture, and the sacred groves in southern China, the book gives a global view of these strategies. An important emphasis in this text is on the nature of contemporary ecological issues, how peoples worldwide adapt to them, and what the Western world can learn from their experiences. A perfect text for courses in anthropology, environmental studies, and sociology.

Genres: Anthropology, School, Environment, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Mark Q. Sutton is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of San Diego, USA. He is Principal Investigator at Statistical Research, Inc., San Diego. His publications include An Introduction to Native North America 5e (2016), A Prehistory of North America (2011), Introduction to Cultural Ecology 3e with E.N. Anderson (2013), Paleonutrition (2010), and Archaeological Laboratory Methods: An Introduction 6e with Brooke S. Arkush (2014).

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the class I TA, conveniently titled Cultural Ecology. Although my students found this book dry and boring, I found it very interesting. It made me think about things I had never thought about for, and I definitely learned a lot about how culture needs to be thought about when dealing with environmental issues.

What I found most interesting was when it was talking about different ways in which cultures use environmental manipulation or resource management to manage their landscapes, and included in this are religious beliefs and ceremonies, such as rain ceremonies & planting ceremonies. So often when the culture no longer believes in these, this change in belief is accompanied with a change in behavior and lifestyle that promotes short-term gain and domination over the environment. This undeniably leads to environmental degradation, long-term shortages, and eventually the culture struggling for survival, while their original religious/cultural beliefs had mechanisms in place to prevent & protect the society against these very actions. It seems obvious to me that the Western world is on the very same path to destruction as individual indigenous peoples are throughout the world today suffering from, but on a smaller scale.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one for a university course, great insight into cultural ecologies. very informative.