Cultural Transformations and Globalization: Theory, Development, and Social Change / Edition 1

by Alexander M Ervin

Overview

Change is the most significant factor of contemporary society and humanity s past. This book represents the first substantial attempt since the 1970s to synthesize and critique sociocultural change theories in anthropology and relate them to trends in the social and physical sciences. It emphasizes the most recent contributions especially complexity and emergence theory, social movements, network analysis, and globalization. Ervin presents a rich legacy of theories and case studies accessible to both the established scholar and the beginning student. He considers how theories and insights can inform policy as humanity faces crises of globalization.Key Features of the Text Designed for scholars and students seeking a comprehensive analysis of the relation between anthropological theory and practice. Assesses big questions facing the social sciences: Do cultures and societies change or is it really individuals, families, and social networks? Are there prime movers of change environment, technology, economics, ideas, powerful leaders, or cultural contacts? Are there structures embedded within changes and changes built into structures? Original contribution of the book is the integration of sociological and anthropological theories, including networks, social movements, complexity, world'systems, etc. Online appendices include resources for students on applied and practice anthropology."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612058115
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/30/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	316
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alexander M. Ervin is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan, where his specialties include applied anthropology, political ecology, social movements, and cultural change. He is the author of Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspective for Contemporary Practice and other books.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Cultural Materialism and Political Ecology; Chapter 3 Process and Agency; Chapter 4 World Systems Approaches to Cultural Change; Chapter 5 Modernity, Modernization, and Development; Chapter 6 Modernity, Modernization, and Development; Chapter 7 Globalization; Chapter 8 Networks, Social Systems, and Change; Chapter 9 Social Movements and Collective Agency; Chapter 10 Complexity and Emergence—Introduced; Chapter 11 Complexity and Emergence in Sociology and Anthropology; Chapter 12 Applied Anthropology and Change; Chapter 13 Summary, Conclusions, and Hints of Synthesis;