Born within and against the violence of European colonial conquest, anthropology has aspired to understand the diversity of human experience in ethical and transformative ways. The New Invitation to Anthropology is a fresh and accessible text that takes students to the heart of the discipline and reveals the ongoing relevance of anthropology today.

The New Invitation to Anthropology, Fifth Edition has an intimate touch that invites students in and helps them understand the historical roots of anthropology and its connection to recent social and political issues. Part I covers the history of the discipline, the emergence of the concept of culture, and ethnographic field methods in relation to European imperialism and discourses on race. Part II illustrates how the concept of culture shaped specific domains of anthropological study, including ecological adaptation, social class, gender, family, marriage, religion, and medicine. As a timely and engaging “non-textbook,” The New Invitation to Anthropology explores anthropological perspectives on real-world problems, helping students think like anthropologists and become better citizens of the world.

New To This Edition

• Significantly revised Chapter 1, “The Origins of North American Anthropology,” demonstrates how modern anthropology emerged out of 19th century theories of race and social evolutionism and develops critical understandings of modern forms of racism
• New sections on social class and globalization in Chapter 4 offer insights into the complexities of modern global problems like climate change
• New elaborations of intersectionality in Chapter 5, “Sex, Gender, and Inequality” reinforces discussions of gender-based inequality
• Chapter 7 on religious experience now incorporates healing and medicine to expand a framework of studying belief and experience