Social Anthropology in Perspective

Book excerpt: Social anthropology is, in the classic definition, dedicated to the study ofdistant civilizations in their traditional and contemporary forms. But thereis a larger aspiration: the comparative study of all human societies in thelight of those challengingly unfamiliar beliefs and customs that expose ourown ethnocentric limitations and put us in our place within the wider gamutof the world's civilizations. Thematically guided by social setting and culturalexpression of identity, Social and Cultural Anthropology in Perspective is adynamic and highly acclaimed introduction to the field of social anthropology, which also examines its links with cultural anthropology. A challengingnew introduction critically surveys the latest trends, pointing to weaknessesas well as strengths.