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Master
Vergelijk
Cultural and Social Anthropology

Study programme

The Master's Cultural and Social Anthropology is a one-year programme that allows you, within limits, to freely choose your research topic and site. The programme consists of three phases: in the first phase you deepen your knowledge on anthropological theory while you design your research project, you then conduct your fieldwork, and finally you write your thesis based on your research material. From early on, 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. The course Key Debates in Anthropology (8 ECTS) offers an overview of recent debates in the discipline and helps to anchor your research project in a contemporary and theoretically engaged field of knowledge and understanding. In one of the electives (4 ECTS) you become acquainted with the theoretical and methodological developments in a thematic field. Designing Fieldwork (12 ECTS) prepares you for your individual fieldwork research: you look systematically at all elements of research design including research question, theoretical framework, methodology, ethics and positionality, and practical and safety issues. In this period you are also matched with your individual supervisor.

    In January you start Ethnographic Fieldwork (15 ECTS). Fieldwork is a main component within the Master's programme. Long-term immersion in a ‘field’ allows you to collect relevant materials and gain insights that allow you to answer your research questions. Fieldwork can take place ‘at home’ or abroad. You continue to receive support from your supervisor.

  • Second semester

    The second semester you devote all your time and energy to your research project. Fieldwork continues in February and March. Upon returning from ‘the field’, you will start analysing the materials you have collected in a more systematic manner. The main challenge is to combine anthropological theory with fieldwork data in a way that provides new insights or sheds a different light on your topic. You want to present your analysis in a convincing and elegant manner. 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
    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
    4
  • Designing Fieldwork
    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
    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
    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
    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
Anthropology has helped me a lot during my professional trajectory: it gave me direction on how to think about the world, about others, and how to navigate that. Masja Cohen, alumna
  • Workload

    The Master's Cultural and Social Anthropology is a full-time programme. A large part of the programme focuses on self-study, preparing and conducting your fieldwork project and writing your thesis.