Anthropology is the science which takes an interest in everything related to man, ranging from the evolution of the human species to the most astonishing achievements and phenomena of human communities.
At the end of this study programme, students will have acquired :
- research methods and techniques (field research, description, interpretation) putting social and cultural anthropology into practice , primarily by means of a placement in the field (3 to 6 month placement or 1 day per week of professional work placement) and the production of a monograph (dissertation) which takes account of recent developments in information technology, both in gathering and analysing data.
- fundamental principles and concepts in the field of basic anthropology, culture and social life, taking account of recent developments in Western societies
- a greater desire to improve their knowledge of anthropology and general culture, in a context which highlights the different yet complementary nature of other disciplines (interdisciplinary roots of anthropology)
- a critical and ethical perspective in the research process with the objective of identifying solutions which are constructive, imaginative and respect ethical guidelines
- a sense of individual responsibility developed through team work and a wide range of different personal skills necessary for a professional career
- the ability to carry out research on the international and intercultural dimensions of social relationships
In addition to broadening knowledge of the areas that go to make up anthropology, a well structured piece of research is a key part of the 120 credit Master in Anthropology. It is possible to do a placement in the field to pursue basic research. This reflects the process of aligning anthropology and sociology, begun in the University in 1997, where there is a course on Socio-anthropology and also a professional focus, organized with the Sociology Department on the Socio-anthropology of Interculturality and Development.
The Master in Anthropology is centred on a research project selected by the student with the help of a tutor. This entails understanding how to do the so-called ‘participant observation’(choice of location, outside placement, investigation, description, interpretation then production of a monograph - dissertation).
The 120 credit Master in Anthropology offers core subjects, optional ‘area’ subjects and three different focuses.
- the core subjects (75 credits) include courses on research techniques (29 credits) "theoretical cross-disciplinary issues" (20 credits), lectures where well-known researchers present their findings (Chaire Leclercq - 6 credits) and general subjects (20 credits).
- according to the area of their research project (15 credits), students may also choose options (for example trade, symbolic systems, town, gender, religion, kinship or globalisation) or a group of optional subjects.
The choice of one of three different focuses (30 credits each) will enable students to develop specific skills:
- the research focus develops basic research skills with a theoretical foundation and more rigorous methods of analysis ;
- the professional focus in the socio-anthropology of interculturality and development develops skills in identifying, carrying out and assessing development projects of an intercultural nature both in the Northern and Southern hemispheres ;
- the teaching focus develops teaching and training skills in the field of social sciences.
