The seasoned international author team of Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride once again offers students a vivid and thought-provoking window on the world. The streamlined and updated 15th edition of ANTHROPOLOGY: THE HUMAN CHALLENGE emphasizes the ever-growing interconnections and interdependence of the world's peoples in this era of unprecedented globalization. Known for reaching a wide variety of students at multicultural academic institutions, the authors' clear, lively writing is enhanced by a distinctly rich array of visuals that deepen the learning experience -- maps, charts, and compelling high-quality photographs paired with informative captions. True to the discipline's time-honored holistic and integrated approach, this book presents anthropology's four fields within a cohesive framework that clarifies the intertwined roles of biology and culture in shaping behaviors and beliefs. Encouraging thoughtful exploration of contemporary cultures undergoing change in a complex world system, it reveals the essential insights that an anthropological perspective brings to living and working in the 21st century.

1. The Essence of Anthropology.
2. Biology, Genetics, and Evolution.
3. Living Primates.
4. Primate Behavior.
5. Field Methods in Archaeology and Paleoanthropology.
6. From First Primates to First Bipeds.
7. Origins of the Genus Homo.
8. The Global Expansion of Homo sapiens and Their Technology.
9. The Neolithic Revolution: The Domestication of Plants and Animals.
10. The Emergence of Cities and States.
11. Modern Human Diversity: Race and Racism.
12. Human Adaptation to a Changing World.
13. Characteristics of Culture.
14. Ethnographic Research: Its History, Methods, and Theories.
15. Language and Communication.
16. Social Identity, Personality, and Gender.
17. Patterns of Subsistence.
18. Economic Systems.
19. Sex, Marriage, and Family.
20. Kinship and Descent.
21. Grouping by Gender, Age, Common Interest, and Social Status.
22. Politics, Power, War, and Peace.
23. Spirituality, Religion, and Shamanism.
24. The Arts.
25. Processes of Cultural Change.
26. Global Challenges, Local Responses, and the Role of Anthropology.

The seasoned international author team of Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride once again offers students a vivid and thought-provoking window on the world. The streamlined and updated 15th edition of ANTHROPOLOGY: THE HUMAN CHALLENGE emphasizes the ever-growing interconnections and interdependence of the world's peoples in this era of unprecedented globalization. Known for reaching a wide variety of students at multicultural academic institutions, the authors' clear, lively writing is enhanced by a distinctly rich array of visuals that deepen the learning experience -- maps, charts, and compelling high-quality photographs paired with informative captions. True to the discipline's time-honored holistic and integrated approach, this book presents anthropology's four fields within a cohesive framework that clarifies the intertwined roles of biology and culture in shaping behaviors and beliefs. Encouraging thoughtful exploration of contemporary cultures undergoing change in a complex world system, it reveals the essential insights that an anthropological perspective brings to living and working in the 21st century. Data and examples have been updated, less relevant material has been trimmed or cut, new examples and findings have been woven into the story, and the writing has been further chiseled to make it all the more clear and engaging. Greater space is devoted to compelling photographs and other key visuals that deepen the learning experience because of their high quality, specific content and informative captions. The book's generous use of figures, photos, and maps engages students and gives them a visual explanation of important information. Locator maps illustrate where in the world the chapter's content is taking place. "Biocultural Connections" illustrate how cultural and biological processes work together to shape human biology, beliefs, and behavior and reflect the integrated biocultural approach central to the field of anthropology today. Topics include "Why Red is Such a Potent Color," "The Social Impact of Genetics on Reproduction," Maori Origins: Ancestral Genes and Mythical Canoes, and "Toxic Breast Milk Threatens Arctic Culture." Each one ends with a critical-thinking question. Every chapter features four Questions for Reflection designed to stimulate and deepen thought, trigger class discussion, and ink the material to the students' own lives. Original Studies are excerpts from case studies and other original works by those in the field. Found in most chapters, they illustrate important concepts in the discipline and show how anthropologists study human beliefs and behavior, past and present. Exciting topics, some new and some updated, include the works of Michele Goldsmith ("Ethics of Great Ape Habituation and Conservation: The Costs and Benefits of Ecotourism"), Frans de Waal ("Reconciliation and its Cultural Modification in Primates"), Bill Maurer ("Sacred Law in Global Capitalism"), and Margo DeMello ("The Modern Tattoo Community"). Anthropology Applied boxes focus on the broad range of work anthropologists from around the world undertake and the variety of social contexts in which they practice. With these boxes, students also see what types of career opportunities are available to them outside of academia -- from work in reproduction and healthcare, to forensics, ecotourism, economic development, international aid, dispute resolution, indigenous language preservation, and cultural revitalization through traditional art. "Visual Counterpoints" feature side-by-side photos to compare and contrast cultures from around the world. New photos cover more global topics. Globalscape, a map/story/photo feature, charts the global flow of people, goods, and services, as well as pollutants and pathogens.