Anthropology Matters! examines the research methods, perspectives, and application of anthropology in a way that bridges the gap between the real world and the academic study of anthropology. What does anthropology have to do with shopping, body image, and watching television? What unique skills and perspectives do anthropologists bring to discussions on controversial issues like ethnic conflict, female circumcision, and same-sex marriage? These questions form the basis of a book that challenges students to link common concepts discussed in anthropology to contemporary issues and practices, to think of anthropology not only as an academic discipline but as a venue for their citizenship in both local and global communities.Anthropology Matters! enhances the discussions put forth in general anthropology textbooks and brings those discussions to life. Comments: "Anthropology is inherently interesting to students, yet increasingly, students (and anthropologists) are asking, 'So what?' Anthropology Matters! answers that question in an engaging and clear manner. Fedorak weaves the fieldwork experience into anthropological analysis of real-time problems in a unique way, illustrating how very relevant anthropology is to our world today." - Jill Fleuriet, University of Texas at San Antonio"This simple and accessible book highlights anthropology's relevance to students' everyday lives. Introductory students will love it!" - Todd Sanders, University of TorontoShirley A. Fedorak has served as the lead author on two Canadian editions of William Haviland's Cultural Anthropology and she co-authored the first Canadian edition of Haviland's Human Evolution and Prehistory . Her most recent publication is Windows on the World: Case Studies in Anthropology . She taught for many years at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently researching and writing two books while living in Cairo, Egypt.