Stories of Culture and Place

This lively and original introduction to cultural anthropology is a textbook like no other. Structured as a narrative rather than a compendium of facts about cultures and concepts, it invites students to think of anthropology as a series of stories that emerge from cultural encounters in particular times and places. These moments of encounter are illustrated with reference to both classic and contemporary ethnographic examples - from Shakespeare in the Bush to My Freshman Year and from Coming of Age in Samoa to Coming of Age in Second Life - allowing readers to experience both the excitement and the limits of the discipline. Chapters are organized on a thematic basis and each begins with an introduction that sets the stage for telling stories (through ethnographic case studies and examples) and then frames these stories in terms of their relevance to understanding anthropology and society. Key concepts, ideas, and methods pertinent to the theme are discussed, ensuring a solid coverage of both content and methodology. Anthropological theorists and theories are also embedded in the narrative allowing readers to see how theory is put into practice. The result is a fresh discussion of anthropology that is both broad in scope and selective in coverage, offering a different way of engaging today's students in the enduring strengths of the discipline.