Anthropology. Faculty of Social Sciences. KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.

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1 Anthropology Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology Master en schakelprogramma in de sociale en culturele antropologie Master of Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) Master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA) Faculty of Social Sciences KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.

2 Table of content Anthropology: much more than the study of the exotic other 1 Our master s programmes Unique in Flanders 2 Programmes 4 Admission requirements 6 Schakelprogramma/Preparatory Track (Only in Dutch) 7 Studying abroad 8 Career outlook 9 Advanced Master s Programme in Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) - 60 ECTS 10 Master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA) ECTS 11 Discover KU Leuven 12 Studying Anthropology in Leuven 13 Learn more 14 The Faculty of Social Sciences of KU Leuven organises four programmes in Social and Cultural Anthropology: the preparatory track, or schakelprogramma, (taught in Dutch) an initial master s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology (taught in Dutch) an initial master s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology (taught in English) an advanced master s programme in Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) a bilingual French-English master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA) Our programmes have a strong international and interdisciplinary orientation, both by virtue of their subject matter and their diverse student base. Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences is based on the excellent scientific research of its various research departments. Our scholars are active in the national and international academic world and publish their results in various forms ranging from governmental policy reports and articles in noted periodicals and academic journals to documentaries and exhibitions. Read more about KU Leuven and the faculty on page 12.

3 Anthropology: much more than the study of the exotic other Social and cultural anthropologists study social processes and the perspectives of the actors involved. Combining an emic (insiders) and etic (external) point of view, anthropologists focus on the differences and similarities of people across the globe. Initially, anthropologists were primarily interested in far-away, exotic cultures and applied a method of participant observation or fieldwork a trademark of classical anthropology to carry out their work. However, contemporary anthropology has become much more than the study of the exotic other. You do not need to travel to remote places to be an anthropologist. Today, cultures are regarded as always in-between, informed and shaped by all sorts of influences. The global has adapted to the local and the local has incorporated the global. It is this interaction between cultures that captures the focus of contemporary anthropologists. Moreover, special attention is paid to economic, social and political implications. Despite this shift in focus, qualitative research methods are maintained. As an anthropologist, you will study issues such as the impact of colonisation, the making and unmaking of identity, the relation between people and their environment and ethnicity. You do this by taking the perspective of the people involved, placing emphasis on the daily experience of everyday women, men and children. This approach adds a different dimension to issues such as globalisation, ecology or migration. Often it leads to unexpected insights or new questions: what is the impact of globalisation on family life? What symbols and rituals shape our daily life? What is superdiversity and what does that mean for the social dynamics of the city and its infrastructure? How do people shape their religious identity by means of social media, and how does this shape people? How do people interpret natural disasters and which role does power play in that context? How does mining transform women s understanding of sexuality and intimacy? How do diaspora organisations affect the development arena? How do people deal with violence and its consequences? The questions are many and complex. 1

4 Our master s programmes Unique in Flanders Our master s programmes in Social and Cultural Anthropology and Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) are the only graduate-level anthropology programmes in Flanders. Read more about CADES on page 10. The Dutch/English initial master s programmes in Social and Cultural Anthropology are two-stage programmes. In the first stage, you are confronted with general questions such as What is culture? and What is identity?. You will study many forms of human agency and consider different ways in which people across the world deal with social problems. You will acquire insight into the basic concepts and theoretical approaches to anthro - pology, but also into the basic methodological principles of fieldwork. In this endeavour, we emphasise the acquisition of knowledge and skills on the one hand and the appropriation of an anthropological attitude on the other. You will learn to critically analyse the perspectives of others and, in doing so, change your own. 2

5 During this first stage, you start developing your own research by looking for a topic and supervisor, developing a research focus and preparing empirical research to support your final master s thesis. Depending on your research topic, you will engage in qualitative research in Belgium or abroad, possibly in combination with an Erasmus exchange or a summer school. You will deepen and further develop your research skills in the second stage of the programme while conducting research for your master s thesis and participating in the African Studies seminar or the Inter culturalism, Minorities and Migration seminar. Experienced professors and early-career researchers of the faculty's research units (IARA & IMMRC) will introduce you to the most recent developments in anthropology. Your own research interests and focus will inform your choice of electives to round out your programme. The research undertaken at the Faculty of Social Sciences covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from international relations and peace research over the effect of the media on society to the impact of intercultural contact and migration. The faculty is divided into several units, each with its own research focus. In the field of Anthropology the following research units conduct high-end research: The Institute for Anthropological Research on Africa (IARA) is committed to anthropological research in and on Africa. The latter term is understood in a very broad sense: it refers to Africa as a geographic political, economic, historical, social and an imaginary space, and to Africa s past, present and future. More importantly, it refers to the everyday lives of the different actors on the continent, and in its diasporas. IARA s main research concerns can be grouped under three headings: urbanity, ecology and materiality. The Interculturalism, Migration and Minorities Research Centre (IMMRC) conducts state-of-the-art anthropological analyses of topics related to mobility and minorities. It focuses on tangible and intangible relations, and borders. Through in-depth ethno graphic study, its researchers disentangle the diversified relations and their global (dis)connections, with special attention for minorities and less visible community-building. The various research projects focus on the following issues: (new) migrations, internal boundary creation, blurring of boundaries, and cross-cultural fertilisation. Some research focuses on the intersection between disability and ethnic minorities. 3

6 Programmes The programme comprises 120 ECTS. Students take all courses in the Introductory, Methodology and Master s Thesis modules. In their first stage, students ideally include all courses of the introductory and methodology module and the Start Report. They select either the African Studies or the Migration, Minorities and Multiculturalism seminar in their second stage and complete their programme with a selection of courses from the Electives module. MASTER OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 120 ECTS MASTER IN DE SOCIALE EN CULTURELE ANTROPOLOGIE 120 ECTS English-taught programme Dutch-taught programme ECTS INTRODUCTORY MODULE 37 Anthropology of Religion Anthropology of Religion 5 Political Anthropology Political Anthropology 5 Anthropology of Children and Youth Anthropology of Children and Youth 5 Cultural Anthropology: Material Culture Cultural Anthropology: Material Culture 5 Social and Cultural Anthropology: Sociale en culturele antropologie: 6 Basic Concepts and Theories basisbegrippen en theorieën Current Issues in Social and Hedendaagse auteurs en thema s in 6 Cultural Anthropology de sociale en culturele antropologie Culture, Migration and Mobility Etnografie, planning en beleid 5 METHODOLOGY MODULE 12 Students take all courses in this group Ethnographic Fieldwork: Etnografisch veldwerk: 6 Exemplary Research exemplarisch onderzoek Ethnographic Fieldwork: Etnografisch onderzoek: 6 Analysis and Communication analyse en communicatie MASTER THESIS 28 Students take all courses in this group Start Report Startrapport 6 Master s Thesis Masterproef 22 SEMINAR 6 Students choose one of the following seminars Seminar: African Studies Seminarie: Afrikaanse studies 6 Seminar: Migration, Minorities Seminarie: migratie, minderheden 6 and Multiculturalism en interculturalisme 4

7 English-taught programme ECTS ELECTIVES MODULE Students round out their programme with electives from the list below. Students must take a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 66 ECTS in each stage. Students may add two electives from the other initial master s programmes of the faculty (no permission required) or from other master s programmes offered by other KU Leuven faculties (permission required). Request forms can be acquired from the programme director. No credits will be given for a language course. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Development and Cultures 4 Anthropology of Ethnicity and Race: Theories and Application 5 Visual and Cultural Anthropology 4/6 Urban Anthropology 5 Culture and Disability 4 Culture, Ecology and Development 4 Anthropology and Travel 4 Issues in Global and Intercultural Education 5 Global Perspectives on Contemporary India 6 Economic Anthropology 5 Anthropology of Social Change: Margins, Performances & Publics 6 Current Issues in Islam 4 Myth & Symbolism 5 Anthropology of the Body 5 Selected Topics of Ethnohistory: Genealogy of North African Cultures 4 Anthropology, Communication and Diversity 5 Globalisation, Culture and Identity: Theories and Application to Asian Cultures 4 Anthropology and Islam 4 Law and Anthropology 4 Only possible in the Dutch-taught master programme ECTS ELECTIVES MODULE Instellingen en beleid van de ontwikkelingslanden 4 Afrika en kolonisering 4 Islam, Europa en de postkoloniale conditie 4 Geschiedenis van Latijns-Amerika na de onafhankelijkheid 4 Genderstudies 4 Antropologie van de kunst 4 Antropologie en populaire cultuur 4 Antropologie, communicatie en diversiteit 5 Gender en diversiteit: wetenschap en maatschappij 4 Onderwijs, opvoeding en samenleving 3 Stad en migratie 4 For detailed descriptions of these programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult for the English-taught programme and for the Dutch-taught programme. 5

8 Admission requirements Holders of the following degrees are granted direct admission to the programme: English-taught programme Direct admission: Bachelor of Social Sciences Bachelor of Political Sciences Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences Bachelor of Sociology Bachelor of Communication Sciences Bachelor of Psychology Bachelor of Educational Sciences Bachelor of History Bachelor in de politieke en sociale wetenschappen (politieke wetenschappen en sociologie) Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen Bachelor in de sociologie Bachelor in de psychologie Bachelor in de pedagogische wetenschappen Bachelor in de geschiedenis Admission granted upon positive evaluation of a complete application file: Other academic bachelor s or master s degrees Dutch-taught programme Direct admission: Bachelor in de politieke en sociale wetenschappen Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie Bachelor in de politieke wetenschappen Bachelor in de sociologie Bachelor in de communicatiewetenschappen Bachelor in de sociaal-economische wetenschappen Bachelor in de psychologie Bachelor in de pedagogische wetenschappen Bachelor in de geschiedenis Bachelor in de sociale en militaire wetenschappen Andere academische bachelors in humane wetenschappen Admission granted upon positive evaluation of a complete application file: Andere academische bachelors en masters Admission granted after completing preparatory track (62 ECTS): Bachelor in de journalistiek Bachelor in het bedrijfsmanagement, afstudeerrichting marketing, rechtspraktijk, sport- en cultuurmanagement, financiën en verzekeringen, accountancy en fiscaliteit, logistiek management Bachelor in het sociaal werk Bachelor in de toegepaste psychologie Bachelor in de orthopedagogie Bachelor in de verpleegkunde Bachelor in de vroedkunde Andere professionele bachelors, na toelating 6

9 Schakelprogramma/Preparatory Track (Only in Dutch) Holders of a professional bachelor s degree must first complete a preparatory track before being admitted to the full programme. This track comprises one programme stage and is taught only in Dutch. The preparatory track provides an initial introduction to anthropology, philosophy and social sciences research methods. PREPARATORY TRACK MASTER IN DE SOCIALE EN CULTURELE ANTROPOLOGIE 62 ECTS COURSE ECTS Students take all courses in this group. Methoden en technieken van het sociaalwetenschappelijk onderzoek 6 Sociologie 6 Sociologische en politicologische theorieën 6 Inleiding tot de sociale en culturele antropologie 4 Sociale statistiek, m.i.v. oefeningen 8 Paper 6 Inleiding in de antropologie en criminologische thema s 6 Fundamentele wijsbegeerte 4 Kwalitatieve onderzoeksmethoden m.i.v. oefeningen 5 Internationale politiek sinds Internationale organisatie 5 For detailed descriptions of this programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult 7

10 Studying abroad Are you eager to broaden your horizons by completing part of your studies abroad? As an anthropology student you can choose to conduct empirical research fieldwork at home or in another country or to combine both. Research abroad usually takes place during the summer months. In the second stage, you have the opportunity to study for one semester at a (non-)european university within the context of the Erasmus exchange programme. The Faculty has agreements with universities in and outside of Europe and also offers various summer schools. If you are interested in researching social change or development, you can organise fieldwork and an Erasmus sojourn within the framework of the European Certificate in Anthropology of Social Dynamics and Development. This bilingual inter university programme encourages student and staff mobility between participating universities. It includes one semester at a partner university, empirical fieldwork conducted in the Global South, joint seminars and supervision by an academic staff member. The programme is anchored in a shared interest in the rapidly-transforming contemporary societies and an insistence on ethnographic research in seeking to understand complex social and political processes in the Global South. The Erasmus exchange programme is a Europe-wide mobility programme for students and researchers. Participating in an exchange does not increase the duration of your degree programme, nor does it lead to an international degree. It does, however, give your KU Leuven degree an extra dimension and provides you with a wealth of invaluable life experience. You will encounter a new language, a new culture and a different education system. More information: Information on Erasmus for students at the Faculty of Social Sciences: bert.claesen@soc.kuleuven.be, tel erasmus/english Information on fieldwork and the European Certificate in Anthropology of Social Dynamics and Development: dominique.joos@soc.kuleuven.be 8

11 Career outlook Graduates of anthropology find employment in numerous areas, including education, social services, medical care, NGOs, international organisations, development policy, international policy, business and research. Anthropologists are especially valued as highly critical professionals, who know how to analyse complex situations from different angles. They are well-versed in setting up, executing and evaluating (research) projects independently. In a highly diverse and international programme, graduates are able to communicate and report adequately in an intercultural environment. Social and cultural anthropologists are employed as diversity experts, cultural and political formation consultants, employees in non-profit organisations, educational consultants, healthcare workers, policy advisers, researchers, youth workers, professors, directors of socio-cultural organisations, journalists to name only a few of the employment pathways open to you. Graduates praise the programme for its theoretical and practical components and call it a perspective-shifting experience that radically changed the way they think. The Master of Social and Cultural Anthropology programme instilled a sensitivity to different cultures and cultural expression in general. It gave me insight into the importance of perspectives and points of departure in dealing with people of different origins, habits, norms, values and frames of reference. This is of enormous benefit when it comes to working with diverse groups of people and finding efficient methods of cooperation. (Alumnus) In my professional life, I draw on my education on a daily basis. Anthropology has really broadened my frame of reference. It taught me to understand that to enter into dialogue with another person to truly understand a person in his or her entirety, without bias or prejudice we have to meet eye-to-eye, be on the same level. This doesn t happen overnight. It takes time, shared experiences, conversations. I try to avoid falling into the cultural trap and I try not to explain away all irregularities with culture. As much as possible, I look for the things that really motivate a person s actions. Who and what a person has become and how a person behaves in certain situations depends on much more than just the cultural factor. (Alumnus) 9

12 Advanced Master s Programme in Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) - 60 ECTS CADES is an advanced master s programme focusing on international development in all its facets. Taught entirely in English, it brings together master students and professionals from all over the world active in consultancy, policy, education and research in the inter - national development sector. It boasts a large international and interdisciplinary platform for addressing issues of global development from an anthropological perspective. The programme is rooted in contemporary social and cultural anthropology and draws on a wealth of viewpoints in order to enhance students multi-disciplinary and intercultural expertise and skills. It builds on the following disciplines and thematic specialisations: architecture and urban planning, economics, ethics, gender studies, post-colonial theory, comparative religion, agriculture and engineering, education, politics, psychology, law and philosophy. CADES has greatly refined my perspective on development processes, which in turn has allowed me to intervene in administrative and operational processes with a level of nuance and command that I did not have previously. (Micha Ramakers, Head of the Development Cooperation Section, Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Yemen CADES graduate) Overall, CADES mediates between the universal and culture-specific claims on knowledge and human fulfilment. Embedded in research conducted at the Institute for Anthropological Research in Africa (IARA) and the Interculturalism, Migration and Minority Research Centre (IMMRC), the programme counters the universalising Western master-narrative of modernisation and stimulates an integrated approach to development issues. As such, it does not offer students a practical development toolkit, but rather questions whether available tools are suitable and applicable in any given context. More specifically, CADES aims to show how societies deal with the significant and omnipresent forces of globalisation and how subaltern groups respond to or resist them. It strives toward the ideal that progress does not entail the end of local cultures and endogenous knowledge systems but rather their reinforcement and emancipation. Undoubtedly, only a profoundly diverse intercultural understanding of and engagement for development can open innovative avenues of equity. In order to keep pace with current trends and insights in the professional world, CADES maintains ties with the Research Chair for Development Cooperation at HIVA, the Belgian Technical Cooperation, various NGOs and international organisations and regularly welcomes guest lecturers from the global development field. For detailed descriptions of this programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult 10

13 Master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA) 120 ECTS Do you have an interest in intercultural mediation? Are you eager to travel to far-flung places? The bilingual Master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA) is the place to do it! This master s programme enables you to study for 24 months in (at least) two countries in Europe and abroad, including Belgium, France, Ireland, Romania, Senegal, Mexico, Poland and Brazil. You will learn everything you need to know about intercultural mediation and have the opportunity to do fieldwork. MITRA trains the new generation of experts in migration, integration and management of cultural and linguistic diversity, with a particular emphasis on ethics. Depending on the course, students will be granted a double or triple master s degree. MITRA Borders and travel: the cultural changes and dynamics of the territories is a bilingual interdisciplinary master s programme designed to respond to acute intercultural mediation needs triggered by contemporary international and transnational mobility/displacement. It benefits from the scientific expertise of a consortium comprising 8 European and non- European universities: KU Leuven (Belgium), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Université Lille 3 (France), University College Cork (Ireland), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico), University of Wroclaw (Poland), Babes-Bolyai ş University (Romania) and Université Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegal). MITRA is dedicated to educating a new generation of experts in the field of conflict and crisis management, management of diversity, and cultural and political analysis or strategy in restructured territories. Are you a motivated student with a bachelor s degree in the arts, languages, law or social sciences, or another degree in combination with relevant work experience? MITRA is your gateway to an exciting career in the field of intercultural mediation. MITRA is coordinated by université Lille 3 in France. Interested students can find information on and 11

14 Discover KU Leuven Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium s largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. Since its founding, KU Leuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cutting-edge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. 12

15 Studying Anthropology in Leuven The Faculty of Social Sciences at KU Leuven is home to approximately 3,000 students, 55 professors and 200 research assistants. The faculty s objective is to contribute to the quality of society and analyse and inform societal trends through its education and research. Our programmes are thus closely linked to society s most pressing challenges and current events. As a student, you will closely track the developments of a fastpaced, ever-changing contemporary society. All of our programmes are supported by a modern infrastructure and innovative study tools. Our campus is equipped with advanced teaching technology, Wi-Fi, a library exclusively devoted to social sciences and equipped with study areas, computers and meeting rooms with video conferencing equipment. Toledo, the interactive digital learning environment and online student portal, gives students access to online notice boards, digital study materials and discussion forums. The new AGORA Learning Centre includes a Social Study Area (TimeOutZone & FlexiSpace, at ground level), a Silent Study Area (level 1) and a Group Study Area (4 levels) with 20 rooms for group work. The PC Lab and plotter service (ICTS services) are situated at ground level adjacent to the FlexiSpace. Three smaller computer rooms can be accessed via the staircase between FlexiSpace and the PC Lab. At AGORA, situated next to our faculty, students and staff can loan a laptop or tablet free of charge for use within the Agora Learning Centre. Audio-visual equipment such as web conference sets, audio recording sets, video recording sets, projector sets and portable active speakers can also be loaned out for use outside the building. Student advising is one of the key pillars of the Faculty of Social Sciences, alongside education and research. A committed team of professors and study advisors are always there to advise you as you progress through your studies. 13

16 KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box LEUVEN, Belgium Learn more Master in de sociale en culturele antropolgie: Master of Social and Cultural Antropology: Master of Cultures and Development Studies (CADES): Master en médiation interculturelle: identités, mobilités, conflits (MITRA): General information Publications Faculty of Social Sciences Parkstraat 45 box LEUVEN, Belgium tel info@soc.kuleuven.be This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning this master s programme offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of the programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted at Last updated: February 2015 v.u.: Isabelle Van Geet, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven