Anthropology For Dummies^?

Covers the latest competing theories in the fieldGet a handle on the fundamentals of biological and cultural anthropologyWhen did the first civilizations arise? How many human languages exist? The answers are found in anthropology - and this friendly guide explains its concepts in clear detail. You'll see how anthropology developed as a science, what it tells us about our ancestors, and how it can help with some of the hot-button issues our world is facing today.Discover: How anthropologists learn about the past Humanity's earliest activities, from migration to civilization Why our language differs from other animal communication How to find a career in anthropology

Introduction.Part I: What Is Anthropology?Chapter 1: Human Beings and Being Human: An Overview of Anthropology.Chapter 2: Looking Into Humanity's Mirror: Anthropology's History.Chapter 3: Actually, Four Mirrors: How Anthropology Is Studied.Part II: Physical Anthropology and Archaeology.Chapter 4: The Wildest Family Reunion: Meet the Primates.Chapter 5: My Career Is in Ruins: How Anthropologists Learn about the Past.Chapter 6: Bones of Contention: The Fossil Evidence for Early Human Evolution.Chapter 7: It's Good to Be Home: Homo sapiens sapiens, Our Biological Species.Chapter 8: Hunting, Fishing, Sailing, and Sledding: The Spread of Humanity Worldwide.Chapter 9: Old, Old McDonald: The Origins of Farming.Chapter 10: The Development of Civilization.Part III: Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics.Chapter 11: The Spice of Life: Human Culture.Chapter 12: From Kalahari to Minneapolis: How Cultural Anthropologists Work.Chapter 13: Can We Talk? Communication, Symbols, and Language.Chapter 14: Types of Types: Race and Ethnicity.Chapter 15: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Identity, Family, Kinship, and Gender.Chapter 16: Not at the Dinner Table! Religion and Politics.Part IV: So What? Anthropology, the Modern World, and You.Chapter 17: Kiss or Kill? Diversity, Conflict, and Culture.Chapter 18: Looming Disasters? From Overpopulation to Space Debris.Chapter 19: Eve and the Iceman: The Cutting Edge of Physical Anthropology.Chapter 20: Stonehenge and You: Why Archaeology Matters.Part V: The Part of Tens.Chapter 21: Ten Things to Remember about Anthropology, Whatever Else You Forget.Chapter 22: Ten Great Careers for Anthropology Majors.Chapter 23: Ten Great Anthropologically Themed Movies and Books.Index.