Master's thesis cultural anthropology: Sociocultural transformations

Course goals

For English, click the English-flag button at the top of this webpage The master thesis completes the empirical research cycle and constitutes the final test of the student's academic skills, theoretical, conceptual and anthropological knowledge, ethical responsibility, methodological training, and ethnographic research capabilities. The thesis exemplifies the integration of learning and research, and attests to the student's academic advancement in knowledge and skills. The M.Sc. thesis has a maximum length of 15,000 words (including notes and bibliography, excluding abstract and summary), and includes an introduction, ethnographic substantiation, a conclusion, a bibliography, a scientific abstract (250 words) and a general summary (500 words). The thesis begins with an abstract followed by an introduction with a discussion of the main research question, a discussion the theoretical perspective and relevant anthropological debate, and an explanation of the research methodology and chosen field methods. The substantive ethnographic part is a detailed presentation and analysis of the empirical data. The conclusion summarizes the principal research findings, addresses the research question, and formulates a theoretically grounded statement about future research lines. The thesis ends with a summary intended for a general public. Schedule to be arranged with the thesis supervisor.

General commitment. Utrecht University has an official course commitment policy. This policy consists of::

• 80% attendance in seminars (only a maximum of 20% absence is accepted, irrespective of the reasons).
• Handing in papers and assignments on time; and
• Obligatory participation in seminars.