Environment and Development

Specialisation of: Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Degree: Master of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
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Environment and Development covers the complex relations between societies and the physical world. It does so in terms of present modes of resource use as well as in terms of future projections; ideas on how to bring about a better, sustainable world,

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‘Environment and Development’ covers the complex relations between societies and the physical world. It does so in terms of present modes of resource use as well as in terms of future projections; ideas on how to bring about a better, sustainable world. The aim of the MA specialization is to equip the student with knowledge and skills that will enable her/him to analyse the interactions between societies and both urban and rural environments and to engage in activities aimed at the formulation of various types of solutions for existing environment-and-development problems. Often these activities are implemented under the banner of development.

A critical assessment of these development activities is necessary to unfold their long term impact on resources and their effects on existing and future power relations. Reflection on the development process itself – the world of projects -, its prime actors and its effects on various target groups will be part of the analysis. This will also include self-reflection on the role of researchers in this process. The core of this specialisation will be the contribution that anthropology can make to this (by nature) interdisciplinary field of study.

Prof. Peter Pels

“Students collectively carry out research in Gambia, Mali or Indonesia under the supervision of researchers from Leiden.”

“Our master’s programme in Cultural Anthropology and Develop¬ment Sociology is first and foremost a disciplinary one. Students can choose between two tracks. The first of these is culture, which is largely media-oriented. Media developments have meant that multicultural societies can now be found throughout the world. Students have to study this culture on the streets. The other track focuses on the concept of development. How can you understand development from the viewpoint of culture? How does development co-operation work in practice?

Our department in Leiden is traditionally focused on Indonesia and Africa. It is the oldest surviving programme in the country, and this long tradition has given us a legacy of libraries with excellent collec¬tions and a strong research tradition. Academic anthropology is partly rooted in past colonial relationships with Indonesia, and the interest in Africa has arisen from post-war missionary work and from trading interests which are remnants of the decolonialisation of Africa. In addition, the Netherlands has always made significant investments in the development relationship with Africa.

Our programme has an excellent name internationally because of its research orientation. Practical field research is one of the pillars of both the bachelor’s and the master’s programmes. In the latter, we send students abroad to learn how to conduct research. Students collectively carry out research in Gambia, Mali or Indonesia under the supervision of researchers from Leiden. Elsewhere, they do so individually.”