Master of Arts Anthropology

The MA Anthropology is intended for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology or a related discipline and wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge base of the discipline and develop advanced academic skills. The MA Anthropology is a two-year programme with a strong research orientation. During the first academic year, students read advanced theory, reflect on research method, improve academic skills (writing of research proposal, advanced essay writing in the style of a journal article, etc.) and deepen their regional expertise (students can choose electives from across the faculties of social sciences and humanities, such as African Studies or Global Studies). During the third semester, students conduct research for the Master's thesis or undertake a research internship. The last semester is devoted to writing an MA thesis (approx. 30,000 words). All core courses are offered in English. Electives may be taught in English or German. Please see the language requirements before enrolling. During the first semester, students attend classes on "Current Debates" in the discipline and on the relationship between "Technology and Culture". Both modules offer training in anthropological theory. In addition, students will train in their regional specialisation. The second semester is devoted to methodological training. Students will attend the module "Advanced Method in Anthropology" and write a project proposal for their MA project. They will reflect on how best to communicate anthropological knowledge in the public sphere in the module "Anthropology and Communication". Students will engage in advanced training in their regional specialisation. Semester three is devoted to research. Students will conduct fieldwork for their MA project. Alternatively, students can undertake an internship for practical training. Students write the MA thesis in semester four.