Part of the Longman Topics reader series, Body and Culture is not simply about the impact of our society on our physical appearance. Rather, it almost ignores the physicality of the body and, instead, treats it as a medium through which a person can express his or her culture. This collection of readings explores the ideas and ethics behind the choices made in reacting to and expressing culture. It is also important to understand the consequences of culture,s toll on the body. The text includes six chapters, which break up the essays according to the aspect of culture affecting the body. These influences include a wide range such as psychology, media, and dance. Each chapter includes a section entitled 'Topics for Exploration and Writing, that is designed to aid in introducing students to approaching and considering an essay topic. "Longman Topics" are brief, attractive readers on a single, complex, but compelling topic. Featuring about 30 full-length selections, these volumes are generally half the size and half the cost of standard composition readers.