Master of Science in Cultural Anthropology: Sustainable Citizenship
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Explore the Relationship between Citizenship and Social Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the key concepts of our times, although a contested one. As the product of concerns about environmental degradation, climate alteration, rising socioeconomic inequalities, increasing mobility, and accelerated change, the term has many different meanings and imperatives: our lifeworlds must be environment-friendly, but also economically viable and socially equitable.
This Master’s program in Cultural Anthropology: Sustainable Citizenship, therefore, departs from an integrated understanding. It focuses on the triangle of People, Planet, and Profit, pointing out that sustainability has not only an environmental meaning, yet also an economic and socio-cultural one. As such, the program seeks to understand how citizens worldwide are negotiating and restructuring their living environment to be safe and sustainable at the same time. It incorporates both local and global understandings of the concept of sustainability and, in doing so, scrutinizes various expressions of active citizenship in building sustainability around the world.
Innovative methodology
Anthropologists continually focus on cultural diversity and differences based on ethnicity, class, gender, age, and health. This Master’s program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to evaluate these facets of life and their interrelationships. During your studies, you will learn traditional anthropological methods and techniques (fieldwork, participatory observation, and qualitative interviews).
However, since anthropology is by definition engaged, you will move also toward engaged anthropology and explore collaborative ethnographic methods, such as participatory action research. In addition, you are introduced to related, innovative methodologies in, for example, the area of narrative and virtual ethnography, engaging in cutting-edge combinations of aesthetics, digital media, and ethnography. You will also discuss ethical dilemmas and your own social responsibility as an anthropologist.
International Context
The program offers you a comprehensive learning environment with an international and comparative perspective. You will have the opportunity to go abroad for your field research and research internship, and you can attend seminars of the research group Sovereignty and Social Contestation, to which international researchers and lecturers are regularly invited. This Master’s program is offered through the Department of Cultural Anthropology. Courses are taught by staff members with strong international reputations and standing like Dr. Diederick Raven, Dr. Annalisa Butticci, and the Master's Program Director Dr. Yvon van der Pijl.
Intellectually Stimulating Programme
We offer an intellectually stimulating program with a variety of work methods, in which you will be challenged to think critically about important and socially relevant themes, to formulate and share your own arguments. You will formulate a research question that you will develop in a Master’s thesis using the theoretical knowledge acquired in the course modules and the empirical data that you gathered during fieldwork or a research internship.
We expect an active contribution from students in the form of discussions, book reviews, papers, and presentations. When preparing for the research, you will work on the research proposal in a tutorial group.
Research locations will be selected in consultation with the supervisor, with a large number of students conducting research in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe (including the Netherlands).
Above-average quality
In the renowned 'Keuzegids Masters 2021', Cultural Anthropology: Sustainable Citizenship received the second-highest score out of six one-year MA programs in Cultural Anthropology in the Netherlands.
The program got a high above-average assessment for the component of internationalization and an above-average assessment for the component of guidance.
Program Outcome
This Master’s degree program will train you to work as an academic professional. Along with classic methods and skills, the program allows you to acquire applied and practice-focused skills, enabling you to flexibly switch between or integrate scientific theory and anthropological professional practice. Take a look at the portraits of our graduates for a better idea of their career prospects.
This Master's program of Utrecht University distinguishes itself from similar Master’s degree programs by offering you:
- The ability to operate as a holistic specialist in the field of anthropology.
- The option to select a specialty from a wide range of cultural anthropological perspectives and cross-border issues of sustainability and citizenship.
- Interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that enhance the anthropological core of your program.
- The knowledge and skills to switch between or integrate theory and practice.
- An independent field study within the Netherlands or abroad.
- An environment where you will develop not only as a researcher but also as a facilitator who acts as a consultant and supports the work of others in various national and international professional fields.
- The ability to join The Students of Cultural Anthropology Journal (SCAJ). At the SCAJ students gain experience reviewing and publishing one another's written work. With this, SCAJ connects different years of study and creates an interactive learning environment to which all students are welcome to contribute.
Career Opportunities
Professional Career
This Master’s program also prepares you for a career as an academic professional or facilitator within:
- Governmental bodies
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- International organizations (United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, World Health Organisation)
- The business world
- Financial institutions
As an academic professional with an anthropology background, you will be able to evaluate social and societal issues and help bring people together.
Graduates are working in positions such as:
- Researcher
- Advisor
- Policymaker
- Trainer
- Executive coach
- Consultant
Academic Career
This Master's program prepares you for a scientific career in academia (Ph.D. training), research institutes, government organizations, NGOs, or private enterprises.
Graduates are working in positions such as:
- Ph.D. student
- Academic assistant