Studying contemporary western society : method and theory / Margaret Mead ; with an introduction to this edition by William O. Beeman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mead, Margaret, 1901-1978, author.

Contributor:

Beeman, William O., writer of foreword.

Series:

Margaret Mead--the study of contemporary western cultures ; 5.

Margaret Mead--the study of contemporary western cultures ; 5

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civilization, Western.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 300 pages).

Place of Publication:

New York ; Oxford : Berghahn Books, [2004]

Summary:

Few anthropologists today realize the pioneering role Margaret Mead played in the investigation of contemporary cultures. This volume collects and presents a variety of her essays on research methodology relating to contemporary culture. Many of these essays were printed originally in limited circulation journals, research reports and books edited by others. They reflect Mead's continuing commitment to searching out methods for studying and extending the anthropologist's tools of investigation for use in complex societies. Essays on American and European societies, intergenerational relations, architecture and social space, industrialization, and interracial relations are included in this varied and exciting collection.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

SERIES PREFACE

INTRODUCTION to this edition

Part One ANTHROPOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE

Towards a Human Science

Talks with Social Scientists: Margaret Mead on what is a culture? what is a civilization?

Anthropologist and Historian: Their Common Problems

Changing Styles of Anthropological Work

Part Two SOCIAL THEORY IN THE STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY CULTURE

Methodology in Racial Testing: Its Significance for Sociology

The Study of National Character

The Swaddling Hypothesis: iIs Reception

Some Cultural Approaches to Communication Problems

A Case History in Cross-National Communications

Adolescence in Primitive and Modern Society: The New Generation

Our Educational Emphasis in Primitive Perspectives

Early Childhood Experience and Later Education in Complex Cultures

Part Three PERSPECTIVES ON CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

From Plight to Power: Youth as a Political and Economic Force

Religion in the Melting Pot: Religion and our Racial Tensions

The Contemporary American Family as an Anthropologist Sees It

Sex and Censorship in Contemporary Society

Sexual Behavior: An Anthropologist looks at the [Kinsey] Report

Jealousy: Primitive and Civilized

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-78920-599-9

1-57181-815-4