Master in Social Anthropology [MASA]
MASA – Master in Social Anthropology, the first
anthropology program lunched in the Baltic
States –gives you the opportunity to become an
expert in cross-cultural analysis and a mediator
of socio-cultural encounters.
Area of Studies:
Social Sciences, Anthropology
Mode of Studies:
Full-time studies
Length of Programme:
2 academic years (120 ECTS)
Name of Qualification:
Master of Arts in Anthropology
Certificate in Intercultural Understanding (Southern Illinois University, USA)
An international cooperation between VMU and Southern Illinois University (SIU) offers an opportunity for
MA in Social Anthropology students to attain the SIU Certificate in Intercultural Understanding.
Students may complete the 24 ECTS credits of the Module of Study in Intercultural Understanding
offered by the Department of Anthropology, SIU, by taking a total of four courses given at VMU campus as
part of their degree studies. The Certificate from SIU is issued alongside their MA Degree from VMU.
Programme Objectives and Competences Acquired
The programme offers an intensive introduction to contemporary anthropology. It is open for graduates with
little or no previous training in anthropology. It is also designed to provide the students with a thorough
theoretical and methodological grounding in anthropology essential for attaining non-judgmental
understanding and appreciation of the diversity of other cultures, significance of cross-cultural perspectives
and intercultural understanding.
The programme combines classroom and experiential field-based learning activities that are adopted to each
student’s career plans. The programme teaches students how to conduct independent scientific research and
ethnographic fieldwork as well as apply other methods of inquiry.
The MA Degree in Social Anthropology will enable the student to:
- carry out empirical research based on qualitative methodology, applying participant observation and other
anthropological fieldwork methods;
- design and conduct research on socio-cultural encounters between different global, transnational, national,
regional and local development perspectives, majority and minority interests in conditions of social change,
social mobility, and multiculturalism;
- address, both politically and practically, problems arising from socio-cultural differences as well as
monitor stigmatized and/or marginalized and other segregated groups representing the interests of these
groups in intercultural mediation;
- mediate in the fields of national and international cooperation by developing strategies and programmes
for the implementation of sustainable development in education, public health, culture, ethnic relations,
environment and cultural heritage management;
- to study in PhD programmes and teach social and cultural anthropology in college and university level
programmes.
Career Opportunities
This programme is primarily geared towards the student who plans to continue her/his graduate studies
towards a Ph.D. in Anthropology or in Sociology (available at VMU at the Doctoral School in Sociology) or
seeks career advancement in either private or public sectors in human resource development, international
business, cultural resource management or work within various organizations as well as international, state
and local governmental agencies, etc.
Career opportunities include but are not limited to:
 Project planner and manager;
 Public policy researcher;
 Cultural resources manager;
 Cultural sustainability analyst;
 Anthropological consultant to cross-cultural agencies;
 Urban and rural development advisor;
 Public health advisor;
 Cultural, heritage and environment protection education consultant;
 Migration, refugee and ethnic minority analyst;
 International (cultural, educational, public health, defense) organizations and nongovernmental
agencies consultant;
Access Requirements
The prospective students are expected to hold a BA or its equivalent in the fields of social sciences or
Humanities.
Application Deadline
To enter this programme in September 2012, applications must be submitted:
by May 31, 2012 – (applicants who need visa to entry Lithuania)
by 30 June, 2012 – (applicants from non-visa countries).
Application Procedure/ How to Apply?
Please, send the required documents to International Office OF Vytautas Magnus University
(find them here: http://www.trt.vdu.lt/EN/VDU/studies/degree-studies.htm)
by e-mail: studies@trt.vdu.lt or by fax: +370 37 327989 ;
Fees
The full-time fee for this programme in 2012/2014 is: 4900 Euro (1225 Euro per semester).
Curriculum
The programme focus is on issues of social change in respect to post-socialist change in the Central East
European part of the EU, identity, ethnicity and social memory, and transnational migration.
In terms of world areas, specialization focuses on Eastern Europe, North America, South Asia.
Students receive training in social transformations encompassing anthropology of post-socialism, economic
and applied anthropology, gender, ethnicity, identity, medical anthropology, politics, the state and
transnationalism amongst a range of other themes in social anthropology as well as other chosen areas of
concentration by taking courses in sociology, social theory, area studies, cultural studies etc.
The programme of study is enhanced by opportunities to work in various community organizations abroad
as well as in local agencies via the internship programs available at (for example): the Lithuanian Red Cross
Refugee Department; Kaunas Multicultural Center; Institute of Ethnic Studies in Vilnius, etc.
Students gain practical skills, including research proposal writing, project development, and conducting
pilot fieldwork research.
Curriculum of 2012/2013
Course
Compulsory courses (6)
Contemporary Theories in
Sociocultural Anthropology
Research Methods in
Sociocultural Anthropology
Political Anthropology of
Contemporary Society
Regional Anthropology
Anthropology of PostSocialism
Ethnicity, Migration and
Politics of Identity
Optional courses (6)
Visual anthropology
Applied anthropology
Globalization and AntiGlobalism
Social and Cultural Identity
Medical Sociology and
Anthropology
Sociology and
Anthropology of Religion
Economic Anthropology
Open Course
Sociology and
Anthropology of Gender
Sociology of Civil Society
Anthropology of
Environment
Ritual Theory
Research Projects (2)
Research Project Design
Pilot Fieldwork
Master’s Thesis
Master’s Thesis
Total:
Code
ECTS Credits
SAT 5001
6
SAT 5002
6
SAT 5003
6
SAT 5004
SAT 5005
6
6
SAT 5007
6
SAT 5006
SAT 6001
SAT 5008
6
6
6
SAT 5009
SAT 5017
6
6
SAT 5010
6
SAT 5011
SAT 5013
SOC 5004
6
6
6
SOC 6001
SAT 5019
6
6
ETN 6014
6
SAT 5012
SAT 6002
9
9
SAT 6003
30
120