University of Bern Institute of Social Anthropology Campuses

The Institute of Social Anthropology at the University of Bern's UniS Campus offers a rich and diverse curriculum in social and cultural anthropology, spanning bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Courses emphasize ethnographic methods, theoretical analysis, and engagement with contemporary global issues, preparing students for academic and applied careers.

• Bachelor's Program: Foundational courses such as Introduction to Social Anthropology, Ethnographic Methods I & II, Anthropological Theories, Kinship and Social Structure, Anthropology of Religion and Ritual, Economic Anthropology, and Political Anthropology.
• Master's Program: Advanced modules including Ethnographic Fieldwork Seminar, Visual Anthropology, Anthropology of Migration and Diaspora, Medical Anthropology, Environmental Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality, Postcolonial and Decolonial Perspectives, and Anthropology of Science and Technology.
• Regional and Thematic Electives: Ethnographies of Africa, Anthropologies of Asia and the Pacific, European Anthropology, Urban Anthropology, Anthropology of Law and Human Rights, Cultural Heritage and Museums, Digital Anthropology, and Applied Anthropology for Development and Policy.
• Doctoral and Research Training: PhD colloquia, Advanced Methods Workshops, Theory Reading Groups, Grant Writing Seminars, Ethics in Ethnography, and interdisciplinary research labs on topics like climate anthropology, inequality, and multispecies ethnography.

Teaching combines lectures, interactive seminars, hands-on workshops, film screenings, and supervised fieldwork excursions. Students access specialized resources including the institute's ethnographic film collection, digital lab, and partnerships with the Natural History Museum Bern. Interdisciplinary collaborations with sociology, history, geography, and area studies enrich the offerings. Language training in German, English, French, and select ethnographic languages supports global research. Field schools and exchange programs with universities in Europe, Africa, and Asia provide immersive experiences. The curriculum critically examines power dynamics, cultural diversity, and social change, fostering skills in qualitative research, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Graduates pursue roles in academia, NGOs, international organizations, cultural institutions, consulting, and public policy, equipped to address complex societal challenges.