The Alternative Introduction To Biological Anthropology

In The Alternative Introduction to Biological Anthropology, Second Edition, author Jonathan Marks presents an innovative framework for thinking about the major issues in the field with fourteen original essays designed to correlate to the core chapters in standard textbooks. Each chapter draws on and complements--but does not reconstitute (except for the sake of clarity)--the major data and ideas presented in standard texts. Marks explores such topics as how we make sense of data about our origins, where our modern ideas come from, our inability to separate natural facts from cultural facts and values as we try to understand ourselves, and the social and political aspects of science as a culturally situated mental activity.

In The Alternative Introduction to Biological Anthropology, author Jon Marks presents an innovative framework for thinking about the major issues in the field with fourteen original essays designed to correlate to the core chapters in standard textbooks. Each chapter draws on and complements--but does not reconstitute (except for the sake of clarity)--the major data and ideas presented in standard texts. Marks explores such topics as how we make sense of data about our origins, where our modern ideas comes from, our inability to separate natural facts from cultural facts and values as we try to understand ourselves, and the social and political aspects of science as a culturally situated mental activity. Features * Offers clear, intelligent, and completely original discussions-injected with a sense of humor-that will keep students reading * Addresses core topics in a way that does not simply mirror what is in the basic textbooks but offers a new spin, thereby fostering critical thinking * Complements traditional textbooks in biological anthropology and explores connections between biological and general anthropology * Provides expert integration of topics, coherent narratives, and salient examples * Utilizes theme statements at the start of each chapter that introduce the breadth of information covered and engage students in the material

Welcome to Explorations and biological anthropology! An electronic version of this textbook is available free of charge at the Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges' webpage here: www.explorations.americananthro.org

A fresh approach that helps students apply scientific principles to solve real-world problems Designed for introductory courses in biological anthropology with laboratory components, Exploring Biological Anthropology can be used with any introductory text. Author Frank L'Engle Williams emphasizes critical thinking and the comparative perspective to understand key concepts in biological anthropology, which helps students to further explore what they learn in the classroom.

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2011-2012 continues to present the most up-to-date and balanced, comprehensive introduction to the field, combining an engaging writing style and compelling visual content to bring the study of physical anthropology to life for today’s students. With a focus on the big picture of human evolution, the text helps students master the basic principles of the subject and arrive at an understanding of the human species and its place in the biological world. This book continues to keep pace with changes in the field by including thorough coverage of cutting-edge advances in molecular biology and genomics, primatology, key fossil discoveries, and modern human biology. A new Conclusion: Why it Matters, drives home the importance of understanding human evolution and the incredible impact our species has had, and will continue to have, on the environment and all life forms on this planet. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

All human life unfolds within a matrix of relations, which are at once social and biological. Yet the study of humanity has long been divided between often incompatible 'social' and 'biological' approaches. Reaching beyond the dualisms of nature and society and of biology and culture, this volume proposes a unique and integrated view of anthropology and the life sciences. Featuring contributions from leading anthropologists, it explores human life as a process of 'becoming' rather than 'being', and demonstrates that humanity is neither given in the nature of our species nor acquired through culture but forged in the process of life itself. Combining wide-ranging theoretical argument with in-depth discussion of material from recent or ongoing field research, the chapters demonstrate how contemporary anthropology can move forward in tandem with groundbreaking discoveries in the biological sciences.