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Social and Cultural Anthropology (M.A.)

The Master's programme in Cultural and Social Anthropology provides the necessary specialist expertise and methodological know-how to adequately grasp and analyse the complex processes of social and cultural changes in today's globally interconnected world. The focus is on the major regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and Oceania, with their specific problems and challenges.

Features

• The programme offers a profiling area that allows students to choose from three subject areas: materiality & environment, mobility & identity, knowledge & religion.
• A compulsory core area of study and a specialisation area provide students with a distinct profile.
• The programme is available as a full-time or part-time study option.
• The standard period of study is 4 semesters, with the option to extend up to 7 semesters for part-time studies.
• The language of the programme is German.
• Admission is open, with orientation events offered.

Details

What we offer

We see anthropology as a social and cultural science based on empirical fieldwork and intensive research and teaching partnerships with countries of the Global South. The programme's thematic priorities include:

• Climate change and human-environment relations
• The transformation of urban and rural living spaces
• Non-capitalist and non-state economic and social orders
• Concepts of sustainability and resource management for the 21st century
• Indigenous knowledge, practices of cultural demarcation and identity formation
• Displacement and migration, social movements, violent conflicts and peace-building processes in post-colonial states
• Cultural heritage and anthropological exhibition practice in the context of decolonisation

Regionally

The programme mainly works on (and in) three major regions: Africa (especially North, West and East Africa), Southeast Asia and Oceania. Islamic countries are another focus at the institute. Additionally, students can work on South Asia through the Centre for Modern Indian Studies and on South America and the Caribbean through a teaching cooperation with the University of Hannover.

Ethnographic Collection

The programme's internationally renowned Ethnographic Collection enables students to engage with issues and debates related to museum studies and to conduct thesis research projects in the field of object and provenance research, the reappraisal of collection histories or contemporary curatorial practices.

Research or Practical Project

The central element of the Master's programme is the closely supervised planning, preparation and implementation of an anthropological research or practical project in one of the three profile-building subject areas.

Qualification Goals

The Master's in Cultural and Social Anthropology promotes not only subject-specific skills but also civic engagement and personal development. The programme enables students to:

• Conduct independent anthropological research and develop solutions to problems based on social and cultural science theories and methods
• Apply and reflect on methods of empirical data collection
• Make scientifically sound decisions, considering ethical issues and social implications
• Present and discuss anthropological knowledge in different formats and contexts of knowledge transfer
• Understand the dynamics of intercultural and transcultural exchange and interaction processes
• Pursue research or practical activities in culturally foreign or intercultural contexts
• Critically question universalistic models of thought and approaches to solving socio-political problems

Future Prospects

The programme equips students for a range of professional fields, including:

• A scientific career through the ability to study for a doctorate and work in anthropological or interdisciplinary research projects
• Work in the field of museums and exhibitions and other institutions for cultural exchange
• Development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peace work and peace research
• Consultancy and mediation in intercultural contexts
• Media and public relations work, as well as adult education, especially in relation to intercultural and global contexts
• International science management

Structure

The programme is available in two different profiles:

• Single Honours MA worth 78 credits
• Joint Honours MA worth 42 credits in combination with one minor (called 'module package') worth 36 credits

Semester 1-3

• Core studies (36 credits)
• Specialisation (24 credits)
• Electives (18 credits)

Semester 4

• Master's thesis (30 credits)

Application

Application Deadlines

• April 4 - May 15 for the winter semester
• October 6 - November 15 for the summer semester

Admission Requirements

• BA degree or equivalent degree
• At least 150 ECTS credits at the time of application
• Proof of at least 50 credits in social and cultural anthropology or a closely related field, with at least 6 credits in qualitative research methods and at least 6 credits in non-European regional anthropology

Language Requirements

• If the mother tongue is not German, proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language at DSH-2 level is required.