Social Anthropology and Sozialanthropologie

Social Anthropology is the science of cultural identities and differences. It aims to observe, analyse and interpret domains of social action that reflect such cultural characteristics in a theoretically grounded and methodically consistent manner.
The comparison of societies therefore provides the basic theoretical perspective and informs the analytical and methodological approaches. Social anthropological knowledge and competence enable one to interact in these domains of action in a scientifically valid, socially relevant, and ethically responsible manner.

This consecutive Master's programme imparts knowledge of the theories and current research issues of Social Anthropology to be applied and further developed in the course of an empirical or literature-/archive-based research project.

Educational organisation

Modules one to six offer lectures, tutorials and seminars on the cultural foundation of sociality, on research methods as well as on regional specialisations (e.g. South East Asia, Southern Asia). Module seven is scheduled for the research project (archival research, fieldwork/internships/practical training, theoretical MA thesis: literature research) which is concluded with a thesis and a viva.

Forms of assessment

Seminar papers, written and oral exams

Course objectives

The acquired competences include a perceptive awareness of cultural constructions of identity and differences and a profound knowledge of diverse social and cultural settings. Moreover, the course imparts skills in fieldwork methodologies and in drafting and implementing empirical research projects. Successful students will be able to contribute to innovative developments in social anthropological theory, to transfer social anthropological knowledge both to scholarly audiences and to the general public and to impart skills in orientation, decision-making and informed action in culturally unfamiliar social situations.

Language requirements

Students must show proficiency in the English language - the level required is C1 (CEFR).

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree in social/cultural anthropology, ethnology or in a discipline containing a MAJOR (!) social anthropological component, see the institute's homepage for further details.

Enrolment fees

Social semester fee of 240 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport for the greater Münster area and the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

Approx. 700 EUR per month to cover accommodation, insurance, and personal expenses

Services and support for international students

The International Office connects international students from all departments.
http://www.uni-muenster.de/en/international_students/index.html

Accommodation

Please see: http://www.uni-muenster.de/en/international_students/exchange/living/index.html
for the privat market see e. g. http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/