Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspectives for Contemporary Practice

by Alexander M. Ervin

The most up-to-date and accessible text on the subject, Applied Anthropology provides the skills, perspectives, and methodologies needed when working in today's communities and organizations.

An invaluable resource, this practical book answers the question, “What can I do with a degree in Anthropology?” In addition to a focus on method, this book provides a solid foundation in the history, activities, and ethical concerns of applied anthropology. The book stresses decision-making and the need to understand policy through anthropological analysis. Because an anthropologist must communicate effectively with the general “non-anthropological” public, the text employs an accessible, jargon-free writing style. More than twenty case studies plus many “real-world” examples of anthropological practice reinforce the usefulness of anthropology in the real world. New material includes a summary of Elizabeth Guillette's research, a case study summarizing the work of Kendall Thu on intensive livestock operations, an analysis of Rapid Assessment Procedures and a summarization of the work and ideas of Robert Chambers.

Genres: Anthropology, Folklore, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 1999

Reviews

[Sharla]

Great introductory book on Applied Anthropology and the many roles and responsibilities that an anthropologist wears while conducting this type of work.

[Demodesrev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the information was incredibly necessary and fundamental, this textbook is very dificult to get through and requires multiple readings of passages to understand what is being detailed.