Master in Anthropology

The Master in Anthropology enables students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience on the methodologies specific to this discipline, in particular participant observation. It also includes solid theoretical courses on various geographical cultural areas: first and foremost Africa, but also several regions of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In addition, this ‘distant view’ of non-European societies and the highly comparative approach used in anthropology help students gain an original perspective that lets them better understand contemporary worlds as a whole, including the complex nature of advanced industrial societies. At the end of the programme, graduates will have both general knowledge of the discipline's major topics and issues, and a wealth of in-depth knowledge in their specialised fields, acquired through their choice of research subjects, specialisation track, and elective courses.

The Master programme combines several teaching methods: formal lectures, exercises in small groups, workshops, and assignments.

Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to think critically; on acquiring and putting to the test quantitative and qualitative methods (observation, description, interviews); on field work; and on openness to other disciplines (sociology, history, psychology, philosophy, political science).

The Master in Anthropology offers solid basic knowledge in regional anthropology, and includes courses that borrow from other disciplines (history, linguistics, geography, religion, etc.).

With its emphasis on research-based training, the programme was designed to let students acquire basic ethnographical skills in a practical manner, by putting them to the test in the field. Thus, teaching activities are designed in close synergy with research, which allows students to share ideas during seminars with researchers who work on various geographical areas and topics.

Courses focus on training through research, with students acquiring practical skills by developing a research project over two years, from defining their research topic and methodology to writing a dissertation featuring empirical fieldwork, in Belgium or abroad.

A team of lecturers-researchers is available, whose members are well connected in international research programmes and have a wide range of interests and geographical areas of specialisation: this means that the programme is backed by high-level research.

The department gives graduates a European Certificate in Anthropology of Social Dynamics and Development. ULB is in charge of coordinating this specific programme.

Importance is attached to training by research, with students acquiring practical competences through developing a research project over two years, from the definition of a research subject and a methodology to writing a dissertation featuring empirical fieldwork, whether in Belgium or abroad.

A team of lecturers-researchers is available, well-networked in international research programmes, with a wide range of interests and varied geographical specialisation areas, meaning that training is backed by high-level research.

The department offers a “European certificate in Anthropology of social dynamics and development”. ULB is in charge of the coordination of this specific programme.