B.A. Anthropology

The Bachelor‘s Programme in Anthropology provides a broad and critical overview of the history and becoming of the discipline of anthropology as well as the opportunity to specialize in a variety of thematic and regional areas. The programme is characterized by a combination of theoretical research with practice-oriented approaches. Designed to provide students with a first academic degree, the BA Programme intends to equip students with fundamental scientific skills and professional knowledge to thereby qualify them for independent academic work. Language of instruction is German and English.

The focus of the Bachelor‘s Programme in Anthropology is cultural difference and practice in local and global contexts. Our aim is to provide students with an anthropologically informed description and understanding of commonalities and differences of human ways of life and thinking. This includes in particular the ability to critically question seemingly universal models of thought, value orientations, and practices. Throughout the course, students are provided with a comprehensive grounding in classical as well as contemporary debates in social and cultural anthropology and are introduced to the distinctive research methods of the discipline.

	Please have a look at the information system of Heidelberg University if you want to know which courses are offered in the Bachelor's Programme at the present term.
	In the module handbook (German) you will find a detailed description of the structure and aims of the B.A. Anthropology. For questions regarding professional and interdisciplinary qualifications or individual study planning please contact the programme coordinator.

The Institute of Anthropology (IfE) at Heidelberg University is part of the Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS). The studies of Anthropology at the IfE can be complemented by courses at two further institutes at CATS: The Department of Anthropology at the South Asia Institute, and the Chair of Visual and Media Anthropology at the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies (HCTS). The Institute of Anthropology focuses on Southeast Asia, while the Department of Anthropology at the SAI offers courses in Medical Anthropology and the Anthropology of South Asia. In addition, the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies (HCTS), with its focus on transcultural studies, offers students avenues for comparison with East Asia and access to current, innovative, and internationally linked research.

Regional and Theoretical Foci

The Institute of Anthropology in Heidelberg offers a wide range of theoretical fields with the core areas Ritual and Performance, Political Ecology (Environmental Anthropology), Social Structures, and Nature-Culture relations. Further foci are Intercultural Ethics, Transcultural Studies, Gender, Mobility, and Research on the Anthropocene. The researchers specialize in Mainland and Insular Southeast Asia. The Institute of Anthropology offers language courses in Thai and Bahasa Indonesia for Anthropologists, while the South Asia Institute offers numerous South Asian languages. There exist manifold possibilities to learn other European and Non-European languages at Heidelberg University.

Admission to all Bachelor's Courses in Anthropology is not limited. German students have to apply online.

International students must apply through the International Relations Office. Further details and information about international applications can only be given by the International Relations Office.

Please note:
Subject to the senate's decision future studies in BA-Ethnologie will only be possible at the beginning of the winter term!
(as of november 2019)

Click here for further information concerning the application procedure or contact the programme coordinators.
 

Part-time Studies

There exists the opportunity to enroll in a Bachelor's Course in Anthropology on a part-time basis -  at the beginning as well as during an ongoing full-time course of studies. More information concerning the part-time studies at Heidelberg University here.

If you are interested in a part-time course of study or if you have other questions concerning this opportunity, please contact the programme coordinator.

Coordinator
Lukasz Siegwald, M.A.

Application
First of all, you apply regularly for the Bachelor's Programme in Anthropology (see Admission and Application). Furthermore, you compile a schedule of studies with the aid of the part-time studies coordinator. With enrolment you hand in your accepted and signed schedule as well as the application for a part-time course of study at the Central Student Administration.

There exists also the possibility to switch over to a part-time course of study during an ongoing full-time course of study. In this case, you have to hand in your signed schedule of studies and the application for a part-time course of study during the re-registration period.