Readings in Anthropology

The content and organization of this guide has been heavily influenced by a variety of texts on theory in anthropology, as well as numerous course syllabi from friends, colleagues, and the classes in which I was first exposed to the inner workings of anthropology as a student. For a few examples of the texts and review articles used in developing this guide, see the 'Textbooks and Other Resources' section.

The development of anthropological theory is often presented in historical context and organized, more or less, chronologically. This is a very useful approach for understanding the development and history of thought within the discipline. You will find some key works organized in this way on the 'History of Anthropological Thought' page.

Despite the utility and familiarity of the historical framework, this structure is sometimes unstatisfying for its inability to address the enduring questions of anthropological inquiry. On the 'Topics' page you will find works organized thematically according to some of the key questions and areas of research in our discipline. A similar approach is presented by Moore and Sanders (2006) in Anthropology in Theory, a volume well worth the read for anyone working to improve their grasp of anthropological theory.