Study programme

The Master's Cultural and Social Anthropology is a one year programme, consisting of 60 ECTS credits. The programme consists of three stages: In the first phase you deepen your knowledge on anthropological theory while you design your research project, in the following phase you conduct your fieldwork and finally you write your thesis based on your research material. In all three stages, you will be supervised by a member of the academic teaching staff.

First semester

In the first semester you focus on anthropological theory and prepare the fieldwork research that you will conduct.

Therefore you start with the course Key Debates in Anthropology (8 ECTS). This course offers an overview of recent debates in the discipline of anthropology and helps to anchor your research project in a contemporary and theoretically engaged field of knowledge and understanding.

Besides Key Debates you take the course Designing Fieldwork (12 ECTS). In this course you get prepared for your individual fieldwork research: you look systematically into elements of research design including research question, theoretical framework, methodology, ethics and positionality, and practical and safety issues.

In January you make a start with your research project: Ethnographic Fieldwork (15 ECTS). Fieldwork is a main component within the Master's programme and is shaped by your interests and prior knowledge.
Second semester
Thesis

Upon returning from ‘the field’, you will start writing your thesis. While writing, you learn to interpret the research results and present experiences in abstract terms. The main challenge is to combine anthropological theory with fieldwork data in a way that is both elegant and effective in presenting your findings. You will be supported in planning and writing your thesis by the course Writing Ethnography (6 ECTs) while also receiving individual guidance from your supervisor.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC

Key Debates in Anthropology

Period 1

8

This anthropology course, "Key Debates in Anthropology," delves into ongoing theoretical discussions in social science, emphasising the role of ethnography. Students engage with diverse themes such as "Writing Culture" and "Multimodality" to anchor their research projects in contemporary anthropological discourse, fostering a theoretical understanding of the field.
Restricted-choice electives

Period 1

4
Designing Fieldwork

Period 1

Period 2

12

"Designing Fieldwork" is a comprehensive course preparing students for individual master fieldwork research. Covering research question formulation, theoretical framework construction, and practical methodologies, the course emphasises active, independent, and collaborative learning. Weekly assignments and discussions contribute to the step-by-step development of a full research proposal, culminating in its submission to both the individual supervisor and the course lecturer.
Ethnographic Fieldwork

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

15

The "Ethnographic Fieldwork" course emphasises practical experience in conducting field-research projects, fostering skills in adapting research questions and methods to local contexts. Students apply various research methods for data collection, analyze findings, and reflect on anthropological theories. The course culminates in a final fieldwork report, contributing to the data needed for the thesis.
Writing Ethnography

Period 5

Period 6

6

This course aims to enhance students' skills in crafting ethnographic texts for their master's thesis in anthropology. Through close tutoring, it supports students in meeting thesis deadlines, provides training in presentation and defense of work, and explores writing styles aligned with research material and theoretical frameworks. The course emphasizes ethical considerations throughout the writing process.
Master Thesis Cultural and Social Anthropology

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

15

The thesis requirements aim to evaluate students' ability to articulate an individual research study orally and in writing, showcasing methodological and ethical understanding. The structure includes an introduction, chapters with research findings, and a conclusion, while the thesis, based on original fieldwork material, must adhere to a maximum of 25,000 words and meet criteria like clear research questions and accurate citations.

Compulsory course

Elective

Find more information in the online course catalogue

Workload

Study programme

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