Overview

This comprehensive collection examines how communities across Latin America and the Caribbean are responding in dynamic ways to pressing contemporary challenges. Ethnographic Insights on Latin America and the Caribbean offers a compelling introduction to the region by providing a series of ethnographic case studies that examine the most pressing issues communities are facing today. These case studies address key topics such as inequities during COVID-19 and Zika, anti-Black racism, resistance against extractive industries, migration and transnational families, revitalization of Indigenous languages,art, and solidarity in the wake of political violence, resilience in the face of climate change, and recent political organizing and social movements. Designed for courses in a variety of disciplines, this expansive volume is organized in thematic sections, with introductions that draw important connections between chapters. The first section provides essential background on ethnography, archaeology, and history, while chapters in the following sections center local perspectives, strategies, and voices.Each chapter ends with reflection and discussion questions, key concepts with definitions, and resources to explore further. Presenting a snapshot of life during the early decades of the twenty-first century, Ethnographic Insights on Latin America and the Caribbean illuminates the structural forces and human agency that are determining the future of the region and the world.

Full Product Details

9781487551506

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Medeiros and Guzmán have assembled a collection of ethnographic case studies focused on real-life challenges. With a wide variety of contemporary examples, the book admirably draws together a diverse selection of scholars, including many who are emergent in their fields. This collection is a much-needed contribution to teaching and understanding Latin American and Caribbean societies."" - Jason Antrosio, Department of Anthropology, Hartwick College ""Medeiros and Guzmán have assembled a timely and accessible volume, showcasing rich ethnographic case studies that introduce readers to social and political life in present-day Latin America and the Caribbean. Focused firmly on questions of inequality and struggle, the volume touches the cultural pulse of the region with nuanced, deftly balanced attention to both structural forces and grassroots collective actions shaping human lifeways. This is essential reading for students and scholars of today's Latin America and the Caribbean."" - Benjamin Junge, Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at New Paltz ""Tackling a wide range of topics from tourism to politics, Medeiros and Guzmán have created a much-needed, accessible teaching resource. The book strikes the perfect balance between a broad history with key concepts and compelling case studies that highlight the diversity and complexity of the region. The ethnographic chapters give life to the people and the issues they face. This textbook is an excellent way to introduce students to Latin America and the Caribbean."" - Nadine T. Fernandez, Department of Social Science and Public Affairs, SUNY Empire State College ""This collection is a valuable resource for teaching Latin American and Caribbean studies. It presents a new way of introducing students to the salient issues in the region, through ethnographic studies that use different approaches and methods. The book enables students to evaluate these methods and understand how researchers adapt to the realities in the field."" - Annabelle Conroy, School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, University of Central Florida"

""Tackling a wide range of topics from tourism to politics, Medeiros and Guzmán have created a much-needed, accessible teaching resource. The book strikes the perfect balance between a broad history with key concepts and compelling case studies that highlight the diversity and complexity of the region. The ethnographic chapters give life to the people and the issues they face. This textbook is an excellent way to introduce students to Latin America and the Caribbean."" --Nadine T. Fernandez, Department of Social Science and Public Affairs, SUNY Empire State College ""Medeiros and Guzmán have assembled a collection of ethnographic case studies focused on real-life challenges. With a wide variety of contemporary examples, the book admirably draws together a diverse selection of scholars, including many who are emergent in their fields. This collection is a much-needed contribution to teaching and understanding Latin American and Caribbean societies."" --Jason Antrosio, Department of Anthropology, Hartwick College ""This collection is a valuable resource for teaching Latin American and Caribbean studies. It presents a new way of introducing students to the salient issues in the region, through ethnographic studies that use different approaches and methods. The book enables students to evaluate these methods and understand how researchers adapt to the realities in the field."" --Annabelle Conroy, School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, University of Central Florida ""Medeiros and Guzmán have assembled a timely and accessible volume, showcasing rich ethnographic case studies that introduce readers to social and political life in present-day Latin America and the Caribbean. Focused firmly on questions of inequality and struggle, the volume touches the cultural pulse of the region with nuanced, deftly balanced attention to both structural forces and grassroots collective actions shaping human lifeways. This is essential reading for students and scholars of today's Latin America and the Caribbean."" --Benjamin Junge, Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at New Paltz

Medeiros and Guzman have assembled a collection of ethnographic case studies focused on real-life challenges. With a wide variety of contemporary examples, the book admirably draws together a diverse selection of scholars, including many who are emergent in their fields. This collection is a much-needed contribution to teaching and understanding Latin American and Caribbean societies. - Jason Antrosio, Department of Anthropology, Hartwick College Medeiros and Guzman have assembled a timely and accessible volume, showcasing rich ethnographic case studies that introduce readers to social and political life in present-day Latin America and the Caribbean. Focused firmly on questions of inequality and struggle, the volume touches the cultural pulse of the region with nuanced, deftly balanced attention to both structural forces and grassroots collective actions shaping human lifeways. This is essential reading for students and scholars of today's Latin America and the Caribbean. - Benjamin Junge, Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at New Paltz Tackling a wide range of topics from tourism to politics, Medeiros and Guzman have created a much-needed, accessible teaching resource. The book strikes the perfect balance between a broad history with key concepts and compelling case studies that highlight the diversity and complexity of the region. The ethnographic chapters give life to the people and the issues they face. This textbook is an excellent way to introduce students to Latin America and the Caribbean. - Nadine T. Fernandez, Department of Social Science and Public Affairs, SUNY Empire State College This collection is a valuable resource for teaching Latin American and Caribbean studies. It presents a new way of introducing students to the salient issues in the region, through ethnographic studies that use different approaches and methods. The book enables students to evaluate these methods and understand how researchers adapt to the realities in the field. - Annabelle Conroy, School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs, University of Central Florida

Author Information

Melanie A. Medeiros is an associate professor of anthropology at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Jennifer R. Guzmán is an associate professor of anthropology at the State University of New York at Geneseo.

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