Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's program in Empirische Kulturwissenschaft (Empirical Cultural Studies) at the University of Zurich focuses on understanding everyday culture and the ways in which people shape and explain their lives. This interdisciplinary program combines the study of everyday culture with the analysis of popular literature and media, offering students a unique education at the intersection of humanities and social sciences.

Program Description

The program delves into complex "self-spun webs of meaning" (Clifford Geertz), allowing students to engage with experienced instructors and gain practical experience through project-based learning and collaborations with cultural institutions. Students develop skills in cultural, literary, and media analysis, and learn to design and implement projects, translating and communicating cultural knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students are equipped to work in research-oriented, theoretically-empirically grounded, and practice-based fields. They acquire competencies in cultural mediation and knowledge transfer, enabling them to work as cultural experts in academia and practice.

Admission Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Popular Culture Studies (European Ethnology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Empirical Cultural Studies, etc.) with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits.
• A Bachelor's degree in another field (admission with requirements).

International Students

• Admission requirements include a C1 level of German and a Bachelor's degree in Popular Culture Studies (European Ethnology, Social and Cultural Anthropology).
• Other degrees may be considered for admission with requirements.

Additional Information

The program provides students with a broad qualification for cultural expertise in research and practice, and prepares them for careers in various fields, including cultural institutions, research, and education.