Study the science of all of us
Anthropology is the organized study of what makes humans human. It takes an objective step back to view homo sapiens as a species and ask questions like: Given our common characteristics, why aren't all of us exactly the same? Why do people across the world have variable skin and hair color and so many inventive ways to say hello? And how can knowing the reasons behind our differences--as well as our similarities--teach us useful lessons for the future? The updated edition of Anthropology For Dummies gives you a panoramic view of the fascinating fieldwork and theory that seeks to answer these questions--and helps you view the human world through impartial, anthropological eyes.
Keeping the jargon to a minimum, Anthropology For Dummies explores the four main subdivisions of the discipline, from the adventurous Indiana Jones territory of archaeology and the hands-on biological insights provided by our physical nature to the studious book-cracking brainwork of cultural and linguistic investigation. Along the way, you'll journey deep into our prehistory where we begin to differentiate ourselves from our primate relatives--and then fast forward into the possibilities of centuries yet to come.
* Explore the history of anthropology and apply its methods
* Get a deep, scientific take on contemporary debates such as identity
* Excavate the human past through new fossil discoveries
* Peer into humanity's future in space
Whether you're studying anthropology for school or just want to know more about what makes us humans who we are, this is the perfect introduction to humanity's past and present--and a clue to what we need to build a better future.
Autorentext
Dr. Cameron M. Smith has searched for early human fossils in East Africa, studied traditional hunting methods in Arctic Alaska, and more. His research has been published in The American Journal of Physical Anthropology and The Journal of Field Archaeology, and he is the author of An Atlas of Human Prehistory.
Klappentext
Find out what it means to run in the human race!
Starting with early human evolution and journeying through modern-day pandemics and politics, anthropology tells us all about us! Learning about humankind is a fascinating way to add texture to your everyday life, as you begin to see culture in context and understand why we do all the outrageous (and mundane) things we do. Think of Anthropology For Dummies as the true story of how we got where we are and where we're going next. (Mars, maybe?) This updated For Dummies title is the fun way to discover what it means to be human.
Inside. . .
- Our evolution into Homo sapiens
- Cultural anthropology
- Group identity and diversity
- Language and symbols
- The latest research findings
- Why we fight and argue
- Careers for anthropology majors
- Anthropology in daily life
Zusammenfassung
Study the science of all of us
Anthropology is the organized study of what makes humans human. It takes an objective step back to view homo sapiens as a species and ask questions like: Given our common characteristics, why aren't all of us exactly the same? Why do people across the world have variable skin and hair color and so many inventive ways to say hello? And how can knowing the reasons behind our differencesas well as our similaritiesteach us useful lessons for the future? The updated edition of Anthropology For Dummies gives you a panoramic view of the fascinating fieldwork and theory that seeks to answer these questionsand helps you view the human world through impartial, anthropological eyes.
Keeping the jargon to a minimum, Anthropology For Dummies explores the four main subdivisions of the discipline, from the adventurous Indiana Jones territory of archaeology and the hands-on biological insights provided by our physical nature to the studious book-cracking brainwork of cultural and linguistic investigation. Along the way, you'll journey deep into our prehistory where we begin to differentiate ourselves from our primate relativesand then fast forward into the possibilities of centuries yet to come.
- Explore the history of anthropology and apply its methods
- Get a deep, scientific take on contemporary debates such as identity
- Excavate the human past through new fossil discoveries
- Peer into humanity's future in space
Whether you're studying anthropology for school or just want to know more about what makes us humans who we are, this is the perfect introduction to humanity's past and presentand a clue to what we need to build a better future.
Inhalt
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Foolish Assumptions 3
Icons Used in This Book 4
Beyond the Book 5
Where to Go from Here 5
Part 1: What is Anthropology? 7
Chapter 1: Human Beings and Being Human: An Overview of Anthropology 9
Digging Into Anthropology's History 10
Getting Acquainted with Anthropology's Subfields 11
Physical anthropology 11
Archaeology 12
Cultural Anthropology 13
Linguistics 14
Making Sense of Anthropology's Methods 14
Applied Anthropology: Using the Science in Everyday Life 15
Chapter 2: Looking Into Humanity's Mirror: Anthropology's History 17
Getting to the Heart of Anthropology 18
Dazed and Confused: What It Is to Be Human 20
Two types of culture 21
Two types of modernity 22
-Isms and the Making of Anthropology 22
Colonialism 23
Antiquarianism 25
Scientism 27
Holism 28
Anthropology Today 29
Chapter 3: Actually, Four Mirrors: How Anthropology Is Studied 31
Physical Anthropology and the Evolutionary Basis of Biology 32
You say you want an evolution 33
More facets of physical anthropology 36
The biocultural animal 39
Archaeology: The Study of Ancient Societies 41
Archaeology and evolution 42
More facets of archaeology 44
Linguistic Anthropology 46
Nonhuman animal communication 46
Spoken language 47
Gesture and body language 48
Cultural Anthropology: The Study of Living Societies 49
Putting the culture in cultural anthropology 50
Attempting to explain why humans do what they do 51
Participant observation 52
Applied anthropology and global culture 54
Part 2: Physical Anthropology and Archaeology 57
Chapter 4: The Wildest Family Reunion: Meet the Primates 59
Monkey Business: Primate Origins 60
You Look Like an Ape: Primate Species 62
What's in a name? General primate characteristics 63
Going ape (and prosimian): Primate subgroups 66
Yes, We Have No Bananas: Primate Subsistence 70
The indiscriminate-eaters: Omnivores 71
The bug-eaters: Insectivores 72
The leaf-eaters: Folivores 72
The fruit-eaters: Frugivores 73
Monkeying Around: Primate Locomotion 74
Stand back, Tarzan: The brachiators 75
Bug-bashers: The vertical-clingers-and-leapers 75
In the trees: Arboreal quadrupeds 75
Soldiers beware: Terrestrial quadrupeds 76
A group of one: Bipeds 77
Monkey See, Monkey Do: Primate Social Groups and Behavior 78
Primates Today (But For How Long?) 80
Chapter 5: My Career Is in Ruins: How Anthropologists Learn about the Past 83
What, How Old, and Where: It's All You Need to Know 84
The significance of where 85
The significance o…