Master in Social Anthropology
Area of Studies:
Social Sciences, Anthropology
Mode of Studies:
Full-time studies on campus, Lithuania does not include obligatory participation in class for lectures and
only limited number of in-class seminars is compulsory to attend.
Length of Programme:
2 academic years (120 ECTS)
Degree of Qualification:
Master of Arts in Anthropology
Certificate in Intercultural Understanding (Southern Illinois University, USA)
Due to international cooperation between VMU and Southern Illinois University (USA) MA in Social
Anthropology students can be certified for the SIU Certificate in Intercultural Understanding by
completion of the 24 ECTS credit Module of Study Intercultural Understanding offered by the Department
of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, which comprises a total of four courses given at VMU
campus as part of their degree studies. The Certificate from SIU is issued alongside the MA Degree from
VMU.
Programme Objectives and Competences Acquired
The programme offers an intensive introduction to contemporary anthropology. It is primarily intended for
graduates with little or no previous training in anthropology. As societies around the world vary
enormously in their social, cultural and political forms, the programme is designed to study these variations
and the common humanity contained therein. 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 as appropriate for each
student’s career plans. The programme teaches students how to carry out independent scientific research
and conduct independent ethnographic fieldwork as well as apply other methods of inquiry and
contemporary research perspectives in doing analysis of urgent issues associated with globalization,
transnationalism, social change and the growth of social, cultural and ethnic diversity and the need for
intercultural understanding.
Anthropology is a subject which ties the capacity to change the way you look at the world with the ability to
impart cultural knowledge about certain population to groups expected to work in cross-cultural situations.
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 problematic situations caused by socio-cultural encounters between
different global, transnational, national, regional and local development perspectives, majority and minority
interests under conditions of social change, social mobility, and multiculturalism;
- address, both politically and practically, problems arising from socio-cultural differences as well as carry
out the monitoring of stigmatized and/or marginalized (and other segregated groups) as well as represent the
interests of these groups in intercultural mediation;
- prepare preventive strategies for socio-culturally different and/or conflicting interest groups; identify,
analyze and enhance the solving of existing cultural conflicts;
- 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;
- teach social and cultural anthropology in college and university level programmes.
Career Opportunities
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;
 Project/policy impact on local population assessor;
 Human resource development in international business analyst;
 Cultural resources manager;
 Cultural sustainability analyst;
 Anthropological consultant to cross-cultural agencies;
 Human rights and environment resources manager;
 Cultural broker;
 Trainer in intercultural communication;
 Urban and rural planner;
 Public health advisor;
 Media and public information analyst;
 Cultural, heritage and environment protection education consultant;
 Migration, refugee and ethnic minority analyst;
 International (cultural, educational, public health, defense) organizations and nongovernmental
agencies consultant;
 Public opinion poll and market researcher.
Entry 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?
Applications for this programme are now being accepted.
Please, send the required documents
(find them here: http://www.trt.vdu.lt/EN/VDU/studies/degree-studies.htm)
to International Office
by e-mail: studies@trt.vdu.lt ;
by fax: +370 37 327989 ;
by post:
International Office
Vytautas Magnus University
K. Donelaičio g. 58
LT-44248 Kaunas
Lithuania
Fees
The full-time fee for this programme in 2012/2014 is: 4900 Euro (1225 Euro per semester).
Bologna compatibility
Like all VMU Master’s programmes, the degree is fully Bologna compatible and recognized across Europe
and beyond under the principles of the Bologna framework. The programme comprises 120 ECTS credits.
What do Students Say?
“The Social Anthropology Master's program at VMU is a very supportive atmosphere for academic inquiry
and research. Because of its high student to faculty ratio and wide array of course offerings, the programme
allows you to work closely with your professors to carefully craft the course of study that you wish to follow
within the discipline. International guest lecturers and researchers also gave the program a truly
international flair. My professors were available to meet one on one, and were always ready to give extra
support and insight into projects and research. As an international student, the study program itself gave a
wonderful framework for understanding my daily life in Lithuania. I chose to pursue my Masters' Degree
abroad in order to be 'in the field' both in an out of the classroom. I believe that I made the right choice
attending VMU, and am happy for the tools it gave me to help pursue my professional career.”
Will Gordon, USA, class of 2011
General information about the Programme:
All information on the application procedure,
deadlines and tuition fee, practical information on
accommodation, social activities, visas and
residence permits in Lithuania is provided by the
International Office of VMU:
Vytautas Magnus University
K.Donelaicio str. 58
LT-44248 Kaunas
Lithuania
Tel/Fax +370 37 327 989
E-mail: office@trt.vdu.lt ; studies@trt.vdu.lt
Internet: www.vdu.lt ; www.trt.vdu.lt/EN
www.studykaunas.eu
Other queries :
Dr. Vytis Ciubrinskas, Programme Director
Center of Social Anthropology
Faculty of Social Sciences
Vytautas Magnus University
K. Donelaicio str. 52
LT-44244 Kaunas
Lithuania
E-mail: v.ciubrinskas@smf.vdu.lt
Internet: www.antropologija.vdu.lt
Curriculum
The programme focus is on issues of social change in respect to the 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 (but is not limited to) Eastern Europe, North America,
South Asia.
Students in Social Anthropology at VMU gain foundational knowledge in contemporary anthropological
theory and practical skills in qualitative research methodology and design. Students learn how to use
participant observation fieldwork methods as well as comparative and holistic knowledge. Students receive
rigorous training in social transformations encompassing anthropology of post-socialism, economic and
applied anthropology, gender, ethnicity, identity, medical anthropology, politics and state and
transnationalism, as well as a range of themes in social anthropology and 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 as well
as local agencies via the Internship programs available at (for example): the Lithuanian Red Cross Refugee
Department; Kaunas Multicultural Center; Institute of Ethnic Research 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
Globalisation and AntiGlobalism
Social and Cultural Identity
Medical Sociology and
Anthropology
Sociology and
Anthropology of Religion
Economic Anthropology
Special 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