Academic Resources: Graduate Programs
University of Heidelberg Master of Health and Society in South Asia
Degrees offered:
- Master of Arts
Department of Anthropology
South Asia Institute
University of Heidelberg
- The proposed Masters Degree Health and Society in South Asia is an English-medium, two-year, taught interdisciplinary degree with a focus on Medical Anthropology and South Asian Studies. We give particular attention to the importance of cultural and historical factors in the areas of health and illness.
- Our current research focus is on indigenous medical systems of South Asia (e.g. Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine, and Folk Medicine), ritual healing, health and environment, health and
ethics, pharmaceuticals and culture, and public health.
Who is the course aimed at?
- Professionals already working, or wishing to work, in health-related fields in South
Asia - Students wishing to pursue an academic career in anthropology or one of the neighbouring social sciences
Why Heidelberg?
- The South Asia Institute in Heidelberg is Europe's leading centre for teaching and research in and about South Asia. We offer an interdisciplinary atmosphere, the chance to learn various languages, and many exchange opportunities to and within South Asia.
The South Asia Institute has
- Eight departments (Anthropology, Development Economics, Geography, History of South
Asia, International Economics, Modern South Asian Languages, Political Science, Classical
Indology) - Regional branch offices in Delhi, Colombo, and Kathmandu
- A library focused on South Asia, which constitutes one of the largest collection of South Asia literature in the world, with more than 260, 000 books, numerous journals, and an extensive collection of media and DVDs
- Cooperation with the Department of Public Health and the Institute of Ethnology allows students to benefit from the expertise and the resources to be found there.
The Master programme consists of the following core modules:
- Introduction to Medical Anthropology
- Healing in South Asia
- Health and Environment in South Asia
- Methods in Medical Anthropology
Students can further choose between a variety of optional courses focusing on South Asia and Medical Anthropology. We put great emphasis on teaching students presentation skills, and offer an optional module in Academic English. We encourage students to base their Master's Thesis on a short field work in South Asia.
The first semester gives an introduction to the field of medical anthropology generally, and to the medical anthropology of South Asia specifically. All students take two core introductory modules: in medical anthropology and in systems of healing in South Asia. In addition, they must choose two of several thematic and regional modules that reflect on the one hand the thematic interest in medical Anthropology and on the other hand the regional focus on South Asia. Thematic and regional modules may vary from year to year.
Proposed courses include:
- Medical History of South Asia
- South Asian Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Medical Anthropology of South Asia
- Health Policy in South Asia
- Health and Ethnicity
- HIV/Aids -- a challenge for Medical Anthropology
The second semester focuses on anthropological research methods, and on the relationship between health and environment. Students also begin to study a South Asian language, and choose another regional or thematic module.
The third semester focuses on the design and realization of a relevant research project. All students take a core module on Master thesis preparation, during which they choose a relevant topic for anthropological inquiry, do an intensive literature research on their
proposed topic, and design a proposal and work-plan for its completion. They continue to study the South Asian language, and choose another regional or thematic module.
The summer vacations and the fourth semester are used for fieldwork or work placement and writing a dissertation (15,000 words). During the first three semesters students can optionally take a module in either academic English, or other courses that teach presentation skills.
Fees: The current fees for students at the University of Heidelberg are 593,60 each term.
What do you need to know and how can you apply?
- Successful applicants should hold a Bachelor degree in a health-oriented discipline or in a discipline from the fields of social sciences, cultural or regional studies. Candidates not fully meeting these criteria may nevertheless be considered. Students whose first language is not English must have IELTS of at least 6.5 or TOEFL or equivalent.
Program Contact Information
- Master of Health and Society in South Asia
Constanze Weigl
Department of Anthropology/Assistant Professor
South Asia Institute
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330
Heidelberg
Germany
