Exploring Anthropology through Folklore and Mythology

Tok Thompson is Professor of Anthropology and Communications at the University of Southern California.Daniel Wojcik is Professor of Folklore and Public Culture Studies at the University of Oregon.

“This unique new volume explores the big picture of human culture from the intersection of folklore studies, anthropology, and mythology; a wild read for those looking to think big about the human condition in the 21st century.”- Robert Glenn Howard, Professor & Director of Digital Studies & DesignLab, The University of Wisconsin, Madison"How have different cultures imagined the world, and what it means to be human, through their myths and legends, their music and dance, their arts and beliefs? This truly global book offers a big and beautiful account of the diversity of human intelligence and creativity; a masterly exploration of the various forms in which different peoples express and perform their relations with one another, the animal world, the environment, the ancestors, the gods, and the universe."- Valdimar Tr. Hafstein, Professor of Folklore, Ethnology, and Museum Studies at the University of Iceland “Exploring Anthropology through Folklore and Mythology is the rarest of introductory texts: simultaneously clear, compact, and comprehensive. The diction throughout is straightforward, but not simplistic; its conciseness allows the authors to cover dozens of serious subjects in just over 200 pages. The range of genres, cultural contexts, critical approaches, and apt cultural examples is impressive. Each detailed example is well thought out and carries the capacity to open doors of recognition, curiosity, and insight for its readers. Both the novice and the seasoned professional will find great value in this book.” - Carl Lindahl, Professor of English and Folklore, University of Houston; Fellow of the American Folklore Society

• Preface 1. Introducing Anthropology, Folklore, and Mythology 2. Rituals, Festivals, and Celebrations 3. Beliefs, Magic, and Superstition 4. Music, Dance, and Trance 5. Stories Make the World: Myth, Religion, and the Spirit World 6. Legends and Rumors 7. Tales, Fictions, and Things We Say 8. Material Culture And (Folk) Art 9. Concluding Thoughts: Studying Culture in the Internet Age