Invitation to Anthropology

Josep R. Llobera (1939-2010) was born in Havana and brought up in Catalonia. He made Britain his home in 1969. He was a visiting Professor of Anthropology at University College London and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.

• IntroductionAimsBibliographyMODULE 1The scope and method of anthropologyIntroductionAims1. Definitions2. The sub-disciplines of anthropology3. The concept of culture4. Ethnography5. The uses of history in anthropology6. Sociology and social/cultural anthropology7. The historical and comparative method8. Fads and foibles of anthropologySummaryEssay questionsTest questionsBibliographyAnswers to test questionsMODULE 2Conceptual and institutional overviewIntroductionAims1. Economics2. Kinship3. Person, self and individual4. ReligionSummaryEssay questionsTest questionsBibliographyAnswers to test questionsMODULE 3The evolution and structure of human societiesIntroductionAims1. Darwin’s theory of evolution2. The human legacy: adapted mind or adaptable mind?3. The study of humanity: assumptions, theories and typologies4. Hunting and gathering, horticultural and pastoral societies5. Agrarian societies6. Industrial societies: the making of the mpdern worldSummaryEssay questionsTest questionsBibliographyAnswers to test questionsMODULE 4The politics of cultural identity: nationalism, ethnicity, race and multiculturalismIntroductionAims1. Definitions2. Nations and nationalism3. Ethnicity4. Race5. The politics of multiculturalismSummaryEssay questionsTest questionsBibliographyAnswers to test questionsEPILOGUEAnthropology and the contemporary world1. The anthropology of Europe2. The process of cultural globalisation3. Looking at the future: a clash of civilisations?BibliographyIndex

"Llobera's book is impressive in its comprehensive and encyclopaedic presentation of theories and key concepts relating to all aspects human societies…Although controversial, Llobera's elementary book is welcome because it opens the way for new debates and discussions in anthropology…[It] is courageous and provocative, but first of all it is a 'fresh', detailed and sophisticated introduction to an old discipline."  ·  Social Anthropology"This introduction to anthropology for undergraduates reflects a blend of textbooks in Europe and the US…excellent chapters."  ·  JRAI