Social anthropology asks what being and becoming human means across different social, cultural and historical contexts. It asks: How do people inhabit the global order through particular local worlds? This requires anthropologists to exercise their imagination and decenter common understandings of social relations, economic livelihoods and political power, among other things. They must thus strive to broaden the possible ways of perceiving and conceiving key challenges of our times.

While the regional focus of social anthropology at the University of Basel is on Africa and Eastern Europe, our researchers also conduct research and teach on Oceania, Asia, Latin America, and the Afro-Atlantic region, among other areas.

From a methodological perspective social anthropology represents primarily qualitative and interpretive approaches. In particular, it nurtures the development of methods that can detect current changes under globalization.

Prerequisites

The most important prerequisite for studying social anthropology is a genuine interest in everyday life and its social and historical contexts.

Good English skills are expected and will be further developed as part of the program.

Professional Perspectives

The competences acquired throughout the study of social anthropology can be applied in the broad spectrum from academic-theoretical science to practiced anthropology. Future anthropologists often take an active role in shaping their own professional environment, which can be both an opportunity and a challenge. Thanks to the broad knowledge acquired during the study of social anthropology, such as the collection and processing of complex information, writing, reading and presentation skills, as well as reflecting on and questioning societal values and norms, global interconnections, power structures and inequalities, our graduates find jobs in various career fields; including NGOs; intercultural communication, dialogue or international cooperation; migration, refugee services and social work; media, public relations and journalism; education and outreach; museums, archives and independent curating; research institutions; tourism, public health sector and sustainability; international enterprises; diplomacy and politics.