This Very Short Introduction explores the fundamental concepts of social and cultural anthropology; its methods; and its contributions to modern thought. This new edition explores the 'cultural construction' of social categories, such as gender, as well as discussing recent work on migration, and the development of ontological anthropology.

Peter Just, Professor of Anthropology, Williams College, John D. Monaghan, Professor of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Chicago

Peter Just was educated at the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught at Williams College since 1988. He has conducted field research among the Dou Donggo and Javanese in Indonesia and lobster fishermen in Maine, USA.

John D. Monaghan is Professor in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has carried out fieldwork among the Maya of Guatemala, the Mixtec of Mexico, and the Kalanguya of the Philippines.