Theory in Social and Cultural Anthropology: An Encyclopedia

by R. Jon McGee (Editor), Richard L. Warms (Editor)

Overview

Social and cultural anthropology and archaeology are rich subjects with deep connections in the social and physical sciences. Over the past 150 years, the subject matter and different theoretical perspectives have expanded so greatly that no single individual can command all of it. Consequently, both advanced students and professionals may be confronted with theoretical positions and names of theorists with whom they are only partially familiar, if they have heard of them at all. Students, in particular, are likely to turn to the web to find quick background information on theorists and theories. However, most web-based information is inaccurate and/or lacks depth. Students and professionals need a source to provide a quick overview of a particular theory and theorist with just the basics—the "who, what, where, how, and why". In response, SAGE Reference is publishing the two-volume Theory in Social and Cultural Anthropology: An Encyclopedia.

Features&Benefits:

• Two volumes containing approximately 335 signed entries provide users with the most authoritative and thorough reference resource available on anthropology theory, both in terms of breadth and depth of coverage.
• To ease navigation between and among related entries, a Reader′s Guide groups entries thematically and each entry is followed by Cross-References.
• In the electronic version, the Reader′s Guide combines with the Cross-References and a detailed Index to provide robust search-and-browse capabilities.
• An appendix with a Chronology of Anthropology Theory allows students to easily chart directions and trends in thought and theory from early times to the present.
• Suggestions for Further Reading at the end of each entry and a Master Bibliography at the end guide readers to sources for more detailed research and discussion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506307756
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/28/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	1056
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

R. Jon McGee received his Ph.D. from Rice University in 1983.  He is currently Professor of Anthropology at Texas State University, where he has taught since 1985.  His research has focused generally on anthropological theory, field research methods, and the anthropology of culture and religion.  More specifically, he has conducted extensive studies on Maya religion, language, and culture.  He leads an annual study abroad program in Canterbury, England.  Among the many books he’s written or edited are Watching Lacandon Maya Lives (Allyn&Bacon, 2001) and Life, Ritual and Religion Among the Lacandon Maya (Wadsworth, 1989). With Richard Warms and James Garber, he authored Sacred Realms: Readings in the Anthropology of Religion, Second Edition (Oxford University Press, 2008) and, with Warms, coauthored Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History, Fifth Edition (McGraw-Hill, 2011).

Richard L. Warms is professor of anthropology at Texas State University. His published works include Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History; Theory in Social and Cultural Anthropology: An Encyclopedia; and Sacred Realms: Essays in Religion, Belief, and Society. He also has written journal articles on commerce, religion, and ethnic identity in West Africa; African exploration and romanticism; and African veterans of French colonial armed forces. Warms’s interest in anthropology was kindled by college courses and by his experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa. He has traveled extensively in Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America. He continues to teach Introduction to Cultural Anthropology as well as classes in anthropological theory, the anthropology of religion, economic anthropology, and film at both the undergraduate and graduate level.