Anthropology and Race

Shanklins book represents the first undergraduate text written by an anthropologist that argues race is not a valid scientific concept but a critical construct in folk taxonomies that have political implications. .Shanklin traces the historical development of the definition of race and the studies of race that preoccupied anthropologists during the past few centuries. The author also explores the mixed role that anthropology has had in the elaboration of, and challenges to, racist thinking.