Social and Cultural Anthropology (B.A.) (2 subjects)

We view anthropology as a social and cultural science with great potential for understanding and overcoming the global challenges of our time. In our anthropology programme you will therefore examine with us the effects of climate change, the cultural diversity of local community life, the driving forces behind migration, the dynamics of progressing urbanization, the creative use of digital media, the richness of material culture, the conflicts surrounding religion and identity and other pressing issues of our time.

In doing so, we focus on the complex transformations of local environments in the Global South, particularly in North, West and East Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia. The study of social and cultural anthropology not only introduces you to the basic theories, concepts and methods of the discipline, but also to an anthropologically inspired analysis of social, political, economic and ecological issues.

It is also important to us to give you practical insights into anthropological thinking and working. That is why we offer you the chance of direct intercultural encounters and a wide range of opportunities for practical work on research projects, exhibitions and the communication of anthropological knowledge – for example through an anthropological internship, a first research exercise or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities (e.g. in Tanzania or India, in Thailand, Indonesia or the Philippines).

The following skills acquired in the course of the programme qualify students for entry into various professional fields or for admission to a master's degree programme:

• Mastery of the subject-specific historical and theoretical foundations of anthropology
• Regionally-specific knowledge in the major regions of Africa, Oceania and/or Southeast Asia
• Basic skills in the working and research methods of anthropology
• Practice-oriented skills in anthropological field research, in the fields of applied anthropology (e.g. development cooperation, migration and refugee work, human rights work) or in the anthropological museum and exhibition sector.

Our thematic priorities follow our aspiration to contribute to overcoming the great challenges of our time. Important areas of research are therefore: dynamics of displacement and migration, identity politics, categories of difference and practices of inequality, Islamic societies, human-environment relations, regimes and conflicts of resource use, peacebuilding and social justice, global transformation processes, sustainable development, decolonization, climate change, urban environments.

The internationally renowned Ethnographic Collection at our institute facilitates a further important focus of study in museum anthropology, with a solid introduction to object research, exhibition work and collection management.

Regionally, we work mainly on (and in) three major regions: Africa (especially North, West and East Africa), Southeast Asia and Oceania. Islamic countries form a further focus at the institute. In addition, work can be done on South Asia through the Centre for Modern Indian Studies and on South America and the Caribbean through a teaching cooperation with the University of Hannover.

You are in the right place with us if you...

• are willing to critically examine what appears to be natural or self-evident;
• are interested in how people outside of Europe (e.g. in Africa, Southeast Asia, Oceania) shape their lives, often in the face of great challenges;
• are not afraid of reading in English and are happy to attend a seminar in English from time to time.

Graduates of social and cultural anthropology are in demand and successful in a variety of fields:

• In intercultural counselling and mediation, for example in government agencies and associations, in working with migrants and refugees, in healthcare, in business enterprises, in the media industry and in tourism
• In museums and exhibitions and in other cultural institutions
• In development cooperation, in humanitarian aid and in advocacy organisations (e.g. human rights work)
• In research and teaching at universities and other scientific institutions
• In media and public relations, in youth and adult education – especially in relation to intercultural and global contexts

Internships provide insights into possible career prospects and fields of work for anthropologists. The departmental student advisory service can help you plan and carry out internships and stays abroad. In addition, the Faculty of Social Sciences' Office for Internships and Job Service offers individual advice on career planning.
The bachelor's programme also prepares students for further academic qualification in a master's degree programme, for example in the research-oriented MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology.

• German Association of Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Bundesverband für Ethnolog*innen e.V. (Federal Union of Anthropologists)