{"id":27438,"date":"2019-09-30T18:40:43","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T22:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom2\/2019\/09\/30\/sabbatical-ends-with-textbook\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:18:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:18:53","slug":"sabbatical-ends-with-textbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2019\/09\/30\/sabbatical-ends-with-textbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical Ends with Textbook"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"NECC<\/a>

Anthropology Professor Kristi Arford with the text book she created.<\/p><\/div>\n

For nearly a decade, NECC Anthropology Professor Kristi Arford dreamed of a textbook that would engage her students. Frustrated when she couldn\u2019t find one, she decided to create one.<\/p>\n

After compiling a list of \u201cmusts\u201d for the perfect anthropology textbook, Arford spent her spring 2017 sabbatical, researching and writing the anthology \u201cComing Full Circle: Rediscovering Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World through Cultural Anthropology\u201d which was published by Cognella Academic Publishing.<\/p>\n

Arford, who uses the textbook in her Anthropology I courses, donates 100 percent of the proceeds to offsetting the cost of participation in NECC\u2019s Study Abroad Program. To date nearly $2,000 has been donated.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery anthropology textbook I found was boring, dry, and traditional with an outdated approach to anthropology,\u201d Arford said. \u201cI was looking for a fresh approach. I wanted content that was relevant to the students\u2019 actual lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each chapter opens with an introduction written by Arford who presents the topic. This is followed by a page of key terms used in the chapter and a number of articles written by scholars. She includes a \u201cWhy Should I Care?\u201d section, which was the direct result of a student asking that very question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized it wasn\u2019t always obvious to the students as to why they should care about studying other cultures,\u201d she said. \u201cThis lays it out for them. It highlights why it is relevant to the world and to their life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Topics covered in the text include gender, spirituality, and belief systems with an overarching theme of sustainability.<\/p>\n

\u201cA culture\u2019s values shape how they will act toward the environment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the chapter that makes her the happiest is the chapter on happiness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never seen an anthropology textbook cover happiness,\u201d she said. \u201cThis looks at different cultures views of happiness or contentment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The title \u201cComing Full Circle\u2026\u201d was her attempt at noting that modern, traditional cultures are looking to older, indigenous cultures for their wisdom, The book jacket was designed by the publisher with input from Arford who hopes it would include the \u201cdots\u201d used in Australian \u201cAboriginal artwork.<\/p>\n

The textbooks are available as bound or binder copies. They can be purchased through the NECC Bookstore or Amazon.<\/p>\n

For more information, contact Arford at karford@necc.mass.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For nearly a decade, NECC Anthropology Professor Kristi Arford dreamed of a textbook that would engage her students. 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