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The Challenge of Human Diversity

Mirrors, Bridges, and Chasms, Second Edition

 

DeWight R. Middleton

 

Middleton’s well-rounded, fair, and concise synthesis of a broad topic brims with insights about cultural differences as well as features that all humans have in common. Middleton inspires readers to think about what it means to be different by using brief ethnographic excerpts to demonstrate the hold that culture has on us. These firsthand experiences, reported by anthropologists, reveal the challenging (and occasionally humorous) fieldwork situations that can arise when we attempt to understand others—and when they do the same with us. Middleton augments his original exploration of human diversity with a new chapter on cultural comparison, a more detailed treatment of global issues (using McDonald’s as a case example), and critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter. This is arguably one of the best treatments of cultural diversity available today.

Exotics and Erotics

 

$13.50 list, 130 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-249-0

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-249-5

© 2003

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“Every now and then, a really fine book comes along. I think this is one of them. It may well change the way cultural anthropology is taught.”  —Paul Bohannan

 

Table of Contents

 

Introduction: The Challenge of Diversity

Understanding Diversity / The Strategy of Anthropology / Plan of the Book

 1. Culture Shock

Shocks to the System / Intracultural Jolts

 2. Common Ground

Brain, Mind, and Evolution / Social Race / Thought, Emotions, and Culture / Channeling Behavior

 3. Our Lived Difference

Culture as Adaptation / Culture as Meaning / Culture as System

 4. Mirrors and Chasms

Colonialism and Racism / The Noble Savage / Indigenous Response and Resistance / Images and Myths / Native Resurgence and Political Actions

 5. Mirrors and Voices

Historical Background to Fieldwork / The Shock of the New / The Dialogue of Fieldwork / Observation and Participation / Intracultural Diversities / Ethics

 6. Meeting the Challenge