Master's Programme in Anthropology of Development

Objectives / Contents

The MPHIL in the Anthropology of Development at the University of Bergen is born out of the Department of Social Anthropology's strong international profile and pioneering role in shaping development-related research. It is intended for students wishing to pursue a critical study of the complex historical, economic, political and cultural processes of transformation in the Post-colonial World. Focusing on the anthropology of development the degree is an ideal preparation for research work in social anthropology and for those considering a career in the development field broadly defined. Applications are welcome from both candidates with a good BA degree in social anthropology seeking to extend their proficiency, and candidates with related degrees in the social sciences and humanities.

The programme aims to provide the basic tools for addressing critical issues of globalization particularly as they affect the South, by linking method and theory in anthropology with the detailed case material and thematic studies that emerges from field research. In particular, the programme addresses the ways in which anthropologists have theorised social and economic change, as well as the history and ethical implications of their practical engagement with development intervention both during the colonial and post-colonial era. Through examination of detailed ethnographies it seeks to demonstrate the links between economic and political processes, changing identities and development intervention in a range of geographical contexts. The programme also provides training in multidisciplinary approaches connecting anthropology to disciplines like ecology, demography, medicine, economics, political science and history. To further these objectives and to foster truly research-based training, all students carry out field research in a non-Western country. The programme's broad international orientation aims to strengthen national institutions in the South and to expand north-south and south-south collaboration in research and education.

Admission requirements

The participants must have a good Bachelors or Masters degree in a social science discipline or other disciplines relevant to the course¿s content.

We accept applicants for the Quota Scheme from institutions/universities that are

a) formally research partners of the Department of Social Anthropology, or

b) have a formal agreement with the University of Bergen. See http://www.uib.no/education/artikler/2010/03/collaborating-institutions-programmes-at-uib

Please note that in order to attend the second year course SANT322 Practical Methodology: Anthropological Fieldwork, there is a requirement of an average result of C or better after the completion of all mandatory coursework at the end of the first year. Only those who have met the required standards will be able to proceed with the programme.

Study Period Abroad

In the third semester, the student will independently undertake fieldwork and collect research data on a chosen topic.

More information

More information regarding admission: http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master

Department of Social Anthropology, University of Bergen
Fosswinkelsgt. 6
5007 Bergen
NORWAY

Tel: +47 5558 9250
Fax:+ 47 5558 9260

E-mail:post@sosantr.uib.no

Language of Instruction

English - The programme requires fluent English both in writing and orally.

Objectives / Contents

The MPHIL in the Anthropology of Development at the University of Bergen is born out of the Department of Social Anthropology's strong international profile and pioneering role in shaping development-related research. It is intended for students wishing to pursue a critical study of the complex historical, economic, political and cultural processes of transformation in the Post-colonial World. Focusing on the anthropology of development the degree is an ideal preparation for research work in social anthropology and for those considering a career in the development field broadly defined. Applications are welcome from both candidates with a good BA degree in social anthropology seeking to extend their proficiency, and candidates with related degrees in the social sciences and humanities.

The programme aims to provide the basic tools for addressing critical issues of globalization particularly as they affect the South, by linking method and theory in anthropology with the detailed case material and thematic studies that emerges from field research. In particular, the programme addresses the ways in which anthropologists have theorised social and economic change, as well as the history and ethical implications of their practical engagement with development intervention both during the colonial and post-colonial era. Through examination of detailed ethnographies it seeks to demonstrate the links between economic and political processes, changing identities and development intervention in a range of geographical contexts. The programme also provides training in multidisciplinary approaches connecting anthropology to disciplines like ecology, demography, medicine, economics, political science and history. To further these objectives and to foster truly research-based training, all students carry out field research in a non-Western country. The programme's broad international orientation aims to strengthen national institutions in the South and to expand north-south and south-south collaboration in research and education.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

- Acquire a firm grounding in advanced anthropological theory and method, in particular as these are applied to the understanding of social transformation in the post-colonial world.

- Exercise critical analysis, synthesis and reflection that enable students to identify the biases and assumptions that underlie representation - including their own - of social phenomena like globalization, development, poverty etc.

- Awareness of the major problems and difficulties encountered in attempts to apply these methods and theories to actual situations.

Intellectual and Practical Skills

- Exercise independent judgment and demonstrate the ability to question accepted opinion.

- Participate in class discussions with co-students and with teachers.

- Relate respectfully to all co-students and teachers regardless of gender, age, religion and cultural background.

- Resolve conflicting issues between personal beliefs and ethical considerations.

- Present findings orally from reading and research to peers in seminars in a coherent and persuasive manner.

- Exercise critical judgment and evaluation of secondary information and argument in written essays that explore the analytic and theoretical issues involved in a particular topic.

- Design research proposals

- Employ a variety of methodological techniques through practical exercises

- Conduct through fieldwork an in-depth study of different aspects of social life and its transformations, to be analyzed in a dissertation rooted in rigorous methodological and theoretical work.

Transferrable Skills

- The ability to argue coherently and persuasively, in (a) written and (b) verbal presentations and discussions.

- The ability to work effectively as a member of a group.

- The ability to cooperate effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment.

- The capacity to work with a strong sense of self-direction.

- The ability to find secondary information, organize it and deploy it in an argument.

- The ability to use libraries, archives, IT, interviews and observations to gather and analyze primary source materials, and to present findings.

- The ability to display a professional commitment to ethical standards and practice.

Admission Requirements

The participants must have a good Bachelors or Masters degree in a social science discipline or other disciplines relevant to the course¿s content.

We accept applicants for the Quota Scheme from institutions/universities that are

a) formally research partners of the Department of Social Anthropology, or

b) have a formal agreement with the University of Bergen. See http://www.uib.no/education/artikler/2010/03/collaborating-institutions-programmes-at-uib

Please note that in order to attend the second year course SANT322 Practical Methodology: Anthropological Fieldwork, there is a requirement of an average result of C or better after the completion of all mandatory coursework at the end of the first year. Only those who have met the required standards will be able to proceed with the programme.

Introductory Courses

The first and second semester courses are organized as a combination of intensive lecture series, seminars, and selected lectures from departmental staff members who specialize in development studies. Foreign students are brought into close contact with staff and students of the Department as a whole.

Compulsory courses

The programme, organized and taught by senior staff members of the Department, is anchored in fieldwork-based anthropological research on globally important issues: sustainable resource use and management; local societies in global political economy; aid and development policy; ethnicity, state and nation; local knowledge; population and health; education, and more. The first two semesters consist of intensive lecture series and regular seminars. After completion of the first year, including the submission of a research proposal, the student conducts fieldwork for 4-6 months. Fieldwork provides materials for a thesis of maximum 35 000 words, to be submitted by the end of the final (fourth) semester.

Sequential Requirements - courses

The first two semesters consist of intensive lecture series and regular seminars. After completion of the first year, including the submission of a research proposal, the student conducts fieldwork for one semester. Fieldwork provides materials for a thesis of 80 - 90 pages (maximum 35 000 words), to be submitted by the end of the final (fourth) semester.

1st semester

Two courses, each 15 credit points

• SANT304: Introducing Anthropology and its Subjects: History, Poverty and Social Transformation
• SANT307: Contested Resources: Ecological Anthropology in Global Perspective

2nd semester

Two courses, each 15 credit points

• SANT303: Project proposal and Methodology for the Anthropology of Development
• SANT309: Conceptualizing Society: Applications of Anthropological Theory.

In the 1st spring semester students are assigned supervisors responsible for advising them in the preparation of project proposals.

3rd semester

• SANT322: Fieldwork, 30 credit points

4th semester

• SANT355: Writing of thesis, 30 credit points

Study Period Abroad

In the third semester, the student will independently undertake fieldwork and collect research data on a chosen topic.

Teaching methods

The first two semesters consist of intensive lecture series and regular seminars. After completion of the first year, including the submission of a research proposal, the student conducts fieldwork for one semester. Fieldwork provides materials for a thesis of 80 - 90 pages (maximum 35 000 words), to be submitted by the end of the final (fourth) semester.

Assessment methods

There will be examinations at the end of each course. Grades of the examinations taken during the first study year (two in the 1 autumn and two in the 1 spring semester) carry equal weight. The overall grade is determined as follows: thesis grade 50%: first year courses 50%.

Grading scale

Exam performances are evaluated according to grades A to F, with A being the highest.

Professional Prospects

Social Anthropologists work within many different occupations, often in positions that demand interdisciplinary cooperation, and with tasks that require international competence and insight in cross-cultural issues. You will find anthropologists working in the public sector, in international organisations, at research institutions and universities, and in museums and colleges. More specific, they do counselling in relation to workplace environment, work in the social service and public health sector, with refugees and immigrants, in development projects, and with environmental protection and conservation. It is seldom that anthropologists are employed as anthropologists, but on the other hand the knowledge that an anthropologist have attained, e.g. about certain issues or ethnographic areas can be crucial in attaining a job.

Evaluation

The programme is evaluated regularly by an external sensor.

Programme committee

Dr. Vigdis Broch-Due, Professor

Tel: +47 5558 9273 / 5558 9250

Fax:+47 5558 9260

E-mail:Vigdis.broch-due@sosantr.uib.no

Contact information

Department of Social Anthropology

University of Bergen

Fosswinkelsgt. 6

5007 Bergen

NORWAY

Tel: +47 5558 9250

Fax:+ 47 5558 9260

E-mail: post@sosantr.uib.no

Homepage: http://www.uib.no/antro