Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

The Bachelor's programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (CADS) examines how global processes and local practices shape each other in our interconnected world. You will explore diverse societies and cultural phenomena, learning to understand the world from multiple perspectives while developing critical analytical skills. The programme shows how phenomena such as identity, gender, sexuality, religion, and ethnicity are deeply intertwined with economic systems, political structures, and power relations.

Our programme approaches diversity as a dynamic, complex phenomenon. Why do people emphasize differences based on gender, ethnicity, or religion in some contexts but not others? How do categories like "development," "modernity," or "sustainability" shape global inequalities? Such questions help us understand how people navigate change and difference in contemporary societies. They also encourage self-reflection: What do we take for granted as "normal," and how do these assumptions shape the way we understand and engage with the world?

First Year: You gain foundational knowledge of key anthropological concepts, theories, and debates. You learn ethnographic research methods and develop skills in critical analysis, academic writing, and multimodal communication. Courses introduce you to core themes including culture, power, development, history of social sciences, and global challenges. Through the Masterclasses, you explore different specializations within anthropology while developing essential academic and professional skills.

Second Year: You deepen your anthropological knowledge through advanced courses on topics such as political and economic anthropology, gender inequalities, environmental governance, and audiovisual methods. You engage with intersectional approaches and learn to apply anthropological perspectives to complex contemporary problems. You also encounter perspectives from other social science disciplines, sharpening your understanding of what makes anthropology distinctive. The second-year Masterclasses guide you toward academic specialization and professional orientation, including practical preparation for careers and further study.

Third Year: You pursue your own interests through electives, minors (in the Netherlands or abroad), or internships. You conduct independent ethnographic research and write your bachelor thesis, integrating the knowledge, theories, and methods you've acquired. This year prepares you for further education or professional practice in fields such as international development, policy advice, research, advocacy, or applied anthropology.

Throughout the programme, you develop competences essential for both academic work and professional practice: critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, ethical research conduct, reflexivity about your own positionality, and the ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. You learn to question dominant narratives, recognize structural inequalities, and contribute to more just and inclusive understandings of our globalized world.