Introduction to Cultural Ecology

by Mark Q. Sutton, E. N. Anderson

Overview

A newer edition of this book is available for ordering at the following web address: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780759123298

Introduction to Cultural Ecology provides a comprehensive discussion of the history and theoretical foundations of cultural ecology, featuring nine case studies from around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759112483
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/16/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Mark Q. Sutton is professor emeritus of anthropology at California State University, Bakersfield, and principal investigator at Statistical Research, Inc., a cultural resource management and heritage preservation firm.
E. N. Anderson is professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of California, Riverside.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Ecology
Chapter 3. Human Biological Ecology
Chapter 4. Cultural Ecology
Chapter 5. Hunting and Gathering
Case Study: The Nuu-cha-nulth of British Columbia
Case Study: The Mbuti of the Ituri Forest
Chapter 6. The Origins of Food Production
Chapter 7. Horticulture
Case Study: The Grand Valley Dani of Highland New Guinea
Case Study: The Lozi of Western Zambia
Chapter 8. Pastoralism
Case Study: The Maasai: Pastoralists in East Africa
Case Study: The Navajo: Pastoralists of the American Southwest
Case Study: Cattle Ranchers in the American West
Chapter 9. Intensive Agriculture
Case Study: Mountains and Water: Traditional Agriculture Along South Coastal China
Case Study: The Maya Agricultural System
Chapter 10. Current Issues and Problems
References
Glossary

What People are Saying About This

Nancy J. Turner

This book is not only a clearly written and highly informative textbook for anthropology students, but it is a book for anyone interested in people and places. It provides a glimpse of the vast diversity of relationships between human beings and their environment around the globe. It addresses the many challenges our ancestors faced in their quest for survival, and what cultural responses, adaptations, and innovations emerged as a result. And it offers an important introduction to the cultural ecology of the modern world. Each chapter provides concise definitions of key terms, concepts, and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of cultural ecology and anthropology in general. The book begins by explaining the different elements that comprise the interdisciplinary study of cultural ecology, and it then discusses the various systems humans have devised to obtain their food: hunting and gathering, agricultural systems, horticulture, pastoralism, and intensive food production. Each of these chapters is accompanied by in-depth case studies of representative cultures. The concluding chapter addresses what is perhaps the most significant topic of all, namely how cultural ecology relates to current issues of environmental deterioration and carelessness.

Editorial Reviews

Discussion of human-environmental interactions is increasingly politicized leaving anthropologically, biologically, ecologically, and geographically minded students and professionals wondering: ‘What can be agreed upon regarding people in the context of environments?’ Fractured perspectives and theoretical positions abound, ranging from anthropology to environmental science to environmental philosophy. This third edition of Sutton and Anderson’s Introduction to Cultural Ecology goes back to basics and summarizes established knowledge about people in environments, but also contextualizes this long history of empirical research and theoretical development within contemporary perspectives that matter in terms of sustainability, political ecology, and conservation.” —Steve Wolverton, editor, Ethnobiology Letters; treasurer, Society of Ethnobiology; Department of Geography, University of North Texas

“We live in challenging times in which environmental problems are one of the most pressing issues. In order to make sense of these challenges, Sutton and Anderson offer a wide-ranging, comprehensive, and critical introduction to cultural ecology. By showing us the complexities of human-environmental relations, from the local to the global, including a wide array of case studies, the authors have given us the essential primer for the field of environmental anthropology.” —José E. Martínez-Reyes, Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Boston

“This revised and updated edition of Introduction to Cultural Ecology is the definitive go-to text for undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as an excellent resource for seasoned researchers. Sutton and Anderson’s book provides solid empirical grounding for studying cultural-ecological relationships at various scales of human organization, while also suggesting a way of understanding the world that gives us hope for sustainable solutions to a variety of contemporary environmental problems.” —James R. Veteto, Department of Anthropology, University of North Texas

From the Publisher

We live in challenging times in which environmental problems are one of the most pressing issues. In order to make sense of these challenges, Sutton and Anderson offer a wide-ranging, comprehensive, and critical introduction to cultural ecology. By showing us the complexities of human-environmental relations, from the local to the global, including a wide array of case studies, the authors have given us the essential primer for the field of environmental anthropology.

José E. Martínez-Reyes

Discussion of human-environmental interactions is increasingly politicized leaving anthropologically, biologically, ecologically, and geographically minded students and professionals wondering: ‘What can be agreed upon regarding people in the context of environments?’ Fractured perspectives and theoretical positions abound, ranging from anthropology to environmental science to environmental philosophy. This third edition of Sutton and Anderson’s Introduction to Cultural Ecology goes back to basics and summarizes established knowledge about people in environments, but also contextualizes this long history of empirical research and theoretical development within contemporary perspectives that matter in terms of sustainability, political ecology, and conservation.

Steve Wolverton

This revised and updated edition of Introduction to Cultural Ecology is the definitive go-to text for undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as an excellent resource for seasoned researchers. Sutton and Anderson’s book provides solid empirical grounding for studying cultural-ecological relationships at various scales of human organization, while also suggesting a way of understanding the world that gives us hope for sustainable solutions to a variety of contemporary environmental problems.

James R. Veteto

This book is not only a clearly written and highly informative textbook for anthropology students, but it is a book for anyone interested in people and places. It provides a glimpse of the vast diversity of relationships between human beings and their environment around the globe. It addresses the many challenges our ancestors faced in their quest for survival, and what cultural responses, adaptations, and innovations emerged as a result. And it offers an important introduction to the cultural ecology of the modern world.

Each chapter provides concise definitions of key terms, concepts, and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of cultural ecology and anthropology in general. The book begins by explaining the different elements that comprise the interdisciplinary study of cultural ecology, and it then discusses the various systems humans have devised to obtain their food: hunting and gathering, agricultural systems, horticulture, pastoralism, and intensive food production. Each of these chapters is accompanied by in-depth case studies of representative cultures. The concluding chapter addresses what is perhaps the most significant topic of all, namely how cultural ecology relates to current issues of environmental deterioration and carelessness.

Nancy J. Turner

Introduction to Cultural Ecology is a comprehensive text that provides a wealth of information in an accessible, student-friendly manner. The numerous case studies presented throughout complement the key themes and concepts outlined in each chapter. This is a very valuable text for introductory as well as advanced students.

Daniel Bauer