Introducing Cultural Anthropology

“I heartily congratulate Howell and Paris on this second edition of Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective; I also thank Baker Academic for inviting and facilitating the same. I invested in the first edition by teaching from it critically for five years. I am pleased to see numerous improvements in the second edition that both students and instructors should appreciate—for example, discussion questions at the end of each chapter, a new chapter on medical anthropology, and helpful revisions throughout. I am excited to see in the second edition the fruit of two fine Christian anthropologists regularly teaching its subject matter; discussing it intentionally with students and a wide range of fellow anthropologists; and continuing related research, conference presentations, and publication. I am more than glad to highly recommend this second edition.”—Robert G. McKee, senior faculty, Dallas International University

“I used the first edition of this book while teaching internationally diverse students in both Southern California and China. Introducing Cultural Anthropology is academically rigorous and well researched, covering critical terms and concepts, yet written in an easy-to-understand format. The additional online test banks and supplemental materials are helpful not only for students, particularly those who speak English as a second language, but also for the professor preparing to teach the material. The textbook and supplemental materials provide the foundation needed for course preparation that focuses on the needs of students across cultures. Indeed, Brian and Jenell have given us a great gift, capable of enriching the lives of countless students of anthropology. This textbook has inspired many lively discussions—picture Indonesians, Koreans, and Australians sitting on a floor in China discussing the costs and benefits of Colonialism and exploring surprising answers and insights! I am very excited about the second edition and the new chapter exploring medical anthropology. I have been working in the field for decades on medical issues that impact our cultures and have not found another textbook that adequately addresses this important subject. Their forward-thinking treatment of this topic and others will undoubtedly be an immense help in preparing students of anthropology and Christ-followers to engage with our global society.”—Dana S. Chisholm, author, advocate, and publisher, Trail Media & Chisholm Family Foundation

“In Introducing Cultural Anthropology, Brian Howell and Jenell Paris deftly cover traditional anthropological themes such as culture, kinship, power, language, religion, and ritual. But more importantly, Howell and Paris show that anthropology is not just for intrepid missionaries or those interested in distant lands; rather, because it engages human themes such as poverty and injustice, gender and sexuality, and race and inequality, anthropology is an essential tool for understanding and contributing to our communities, churches, and neighborhoods. Introducing Cultural Anthropology is the ideal text for the thoughtful Christian classroom.”—Aminta Arrington, assistant professor of intercultural studies, John Brown University