Books by Barbara D. Miller

In This Section:

I. Author Bio

II. Author Letter

I. Author Bio

Barbara Miller is Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs, and Director of the Culture in Global Affairs (CIGA) Research and Policy Program, at The George Washington University. She received her Ph.D. in anthropology from Syracuse University in 1978. Before coming to GW in 1994, she taught at the University of Rochester, SUNY Cortland, Ithaca College, Cornell University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Barbara's research has focused mainly on gender-based inequalities in India, especially the nutritional and medical neglect of daughters in the northern part of the country. She has also conducted research on culture and rural development in Bangladesh, on low-income household dynamics in Jamaica, and on Hindu adolescents in Pittsburgh.

Her current interests include continued research on India along with attention to the role of cultural anthropology in informing policy issues, especially as related to women, children, and other disenfranchised people.

She teaches courses on introductory cultural anthropology, medical anthropology, development anthropology, culture and population, health and development in South Asia, migration and mental health, and culture and security.

She has published many journal articles and book chapters and several books: The Endangered Sex: Neglect of Female Children in Rural North India, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press 1997), an edited volume, Sex and Gender Hierarchies (Cambridge University Press 1993), and a co-edited volume with Alf Hiltebeitel, Hair: Its Power and Meaning in Asian Cultures (SUNY Press 1998). In addition to Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World, second edition, she is the author of Cultural Anthropology, fifth edition (Pearson 2008) and the lead author of Anthropology, second edition(Pearson 2008).

Barbara launched a blog in 2009 (anthropologyworks.com) which includes her thoughts on important findings and debates in anthropology, a weekly feature covering anthropologists in the mainstream media, and guests posts. You can also follow her via Twitter @anthroworks.

II. Author Letter

Dear Colleague,

Most cultural anthropology textbooks are pretty much the same over the years, with a few new photos and minor tweaks. But culture is changing all the time. Climate change means that longstanding livelihoods are endangered. New states are formed. Through new social media, people have more "friends" than ever before, and perhaps more friends than they can manage to maintain as "friends." Some languages die out, while some groups work hard to keep their languages alive. This is just to name a few.

This message is to let you know about some of the highlights of the 3rd edition of Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World. I think you will find it to be the most current, exciting, and engaging cultural anthropology textbook for your students.

Since the publication of the previous edition of Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World two years ago, several major events demand attention, including the earthquake in Haiti and the Gulf oil spill. Thanks to anthropologists who study such events and convey their findings to fellow academics and the public, we, as faculty, can better teach about culture in an ever-changing world.

One aspect of this revision that I very much enjoyed was incorporating new material that I learned about through my blog, anthropologyworks.com. I dedicate some time every day to scanning the media for any mention of anthropology to include in my weekly "anthro in the news" feature. Through this commitment, I learn about both "what's new" and "what's important" in anthropology. That learning enlivens Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World 3e in every chapter.

Other distinctive "Miller features" of this edition include:

* A thought-provoking box in each chapter called 'AnthropologyWorks' that provides an example of how knowledge in cultural anthropology is used to prevent or solve social problems. For example, your students will be fascinated and inspired by the box describing Paul Farmer's work in providing health care in Haiti.

* Several new photographs arranged in pairs or trios, with linked captions, offer a mini-photo essay for students to ponder.

* Updates based on the latest research about how people seek health advice on the Internet, homelessness in the United States, texting and Textese, and oil-related environmental disasters.

* Several new Key Concepts distinguish my textbook from others and offer students connections with other courses they are taking: asexuality, corporate social responsibility, food security, sectarian conflict, and social justice.

* MyAnthroLibrary, new to this edition, offers selections of current, brief articles on engaging topics listed at the end of each chapter and available at no cost for students through MyAnthroLab.

I know that you want to get your students excited about cultural anthropology and help them see the relevance of it to their lives and careers. Therefore, you should choose my book! I appreciate your interest in the 3rd edition of Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World, and I would be grateful for any comments you might have about it.

Sincerely yours,

Barbara Miller

George Washington University

Email: [email protected]

Blog: anthropologyworks.com

Twitter: anthroworks.com

Webpage: http://www.gwu.edu/~anth/who/miller.cfm