Anthropology of the Americas, M.A.
The Master's degree program in Anthropology of the Americas deals with the history and present of the Americas from a long-term perspective, ranging from the cultures and societies before the conquest and colonization to the modern nation states. Students acquire in-depth theoretical and methodological skills in a historical-archaeological or social and cultural anthropological focus. A possible specialization in heritage and museum studies links both fields. Introductions to the study of ancient american writing systems and the analysis of indigenous written sources are also offered.
Here we list all the professional fields in which our graduates have gained a foothold:
- national and international organizations and companies (public authorities, foundations, non-governmental organizations, tourism sector, etc.)
cultural management - museum sector (museum and cultural management)
- educational institutions
- adult education
- science management (e.g. DAAD, DFG)
- science (with M.A. degree: teaching and research at universities or in research institutions)
- in the field of business (e.g. tourism)
- business and cultural management
- journalism
- in the communications industry (advertising, PR, translation)
- in national and international authorities
- in the field of marketing
- in the book industry (publishing houses, libraries, book trade)
- press and public relations, media industry
- educational institutions in international exchange
Application & Admission
available for Winter & Summer Semester
Important information about studying
Here you will find the basics of the course structure (module handbooks, examination regulations) and instructions for academic work.
FAQ - all about studying
The most important questions from the beginning to the end of your studies are summarized here for you.
Application Period from 11.12.2023 - 31.01.2024
Information session (via Zoom). Registration at studiengangsmanagement.altamerikanistik@uni-bonn.de
Course content of the Master's program
Archaeology
The MA program dissolves the disciplinary boundaries between archaeology, social and cultural anthropology, and material culture studies. Transdisciplinary approaches are addressed through a range of methods, some of which are based on ethnography, such as ethnoarchaeology and archaeological ethnography, and others on collaborative methods. The aim is to reflect on the role of archaeology and its objects in the present and how these are linked to individual or collective memories.
Writing and notation systems
The diverse notation and writing systems of indigenous traditions are researched using the methods of iconography, semiotics and epigraphy. The courses provide introductions and opportunities for in-depth study, especially of Maya hieroglyphic writing and other Mesoamerican scripts, but also of indigenous notation systems and iconographies that were used in other areas of the Americas and often experience a modern revival.
Ethnohistory
Ethnohistory deals with an extended selection of alternative theoretical and methodological approaches to deepen the history of marginalized socio-cultural and indigenous groups in the Americas over the long historical period and along various axes of discrimination. Textual, visual and material sources and their diverse interrelationships are used for this purpose. The methods are dealt with intensively in order to make the actors who have remained invisible for a long time visible in all their complexity.
Anthropology
The MA program focuses on transnational cultural and social anthropological theory and methods as well as regional competence in Latin America. The focus is on approaches from German-speaking ethnology as well as cultural and social anthropological approaches from the Americas. Students will be able to engage culturally sensitively and confidently in the theoretical debate on Latin America.
Heritage
One of the pillars of the MA program is Critical Heritage Studies, which is based on decolonial research practices committed to the sovereignty and self-determination of indigenous peoples. The program offers topics such as memory studies, museums and provenance research as well as questions of restitution. It discusses heritage as a process and as a political practice that generates emotional tensions and attachments, forms of knowledge and visions of the social world and space.
Amerindian Languages
In the compulsory elective area of the MA Anthropology of the Americas, students are free to learn one of the four Amerindian languages offered as part of a chosen regional specialization (Basic Module Amerindian Languages) and to deepen their language skills and knowledge of current linguistic research (Advanced Module Amerindian Languages). You can achieve a total of 20 ECTS in this field of study with two modules.
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Practical and international experience during your studies
It is important to gain practical and international experience during your studies. Depending on their interests, interested students have a variety of opportunities to take part in teaching excavations during the semester break, participate in the department's research projects, complete internships at the department museum BASA, organize their own field research in the Americas, make contacts during semesters abroad and work with objects from the Americas in our courses. In addition, we offer various excursions in Germany, Europe and every few years in the Americas.
Working with archaeological and ethnographic objects
Objects from our teaching and research collection are regularly incorporated into many courses. This allows you to gain experience in handling and researching archaeological and ethnographic objects during your studies.
Internship
An internship is planned for the Master's degree, which can be completed either internally at the BASA Museum or in one of the department's projects, or externally. You can find more information and help with finding an internship on our internship page.
Study Abroad
Erasmus, PONS or direct exchange in the Americas? Our cooperation partners in Latin America and Europe offer the opportunity to get to know other university systems, academic perspectives and realities in one or two semesters. We are also happy to support you in your efforts to conduct your own field research for your thesis.
Prof. Dr. Carla Jaimes Betancourt on diversity and her experiences in Germany and at the University of Bonn as part of the discussion "Identity, Participation, Diversity: An International Exchange of Experiences" recorded on 21.03.2023 by unibonntv.
Identität, Teilhabe, Diversität: Ein internationaler Erfahrungsaustausch
BASA Museum - Bonn Americas Collection
As an exhibition, communication, lecture, teaching and work space for students, teachers and researchers, the BASA Museum is the lively center of the Department of Anthropology of the Americas at the University of Bonn. The room is used for changing special exhibitions. The display depot is also located here, where a cross-section of the more than 10,000 objects in the collection is accessible. The BASA Museum presents itself to the city's public through the large display windows facing one of Bonn's busiest streets.
Museum Studies elective area
For more practical experience in the Master's degree, we offer the interdisciplinary supplementary area "Museum Studies". Together with students from other departments, you can get to know different areas of museum work in the three modules "Collecting, Researching and Preserving", "Exhibiting and Communicating" and "Law, Management and Marketing". In associated one-day seminars in museums in the region, experts will give you an insight into their activities and the way museums work. You will also have the opportunity to make initial contacts for possible jobs and internships during your studies.
Application and admission
The Master's degree program is aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree in the subjects of cultural and social Anthropology, Anthropology of the Americas, Latin American Studies, Regional Studies Latin America, Hispanic Studies or Archaeology. It is also aimed at students who have completed courses in cultural and social anthropology or cultural studies amounting to at least 24 CP. Students who have attended courses on cultural theory and methods of qualitative social research can also be credited.
The application phase for the winter semester 2024/25 begins on May 13, 2024 and ends on September 02, 2024.
Those interested in the Master's program can apply in two application phases per semester (winter and summer semester) via the Master's portal of the University of Bonn.
Under the link above you will find all degree programs, as well as a link to further information on the application, phases and procedures on the part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. In the middle of the page you will find access to the online portal where you can submit your application.
Further information on applying for a Master's place can be found on the pages of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Central Student Advisory Service.
- University degree (domestic or foreign) in a social or cultural anthropology subject, in an archaeologically or historically oriented subject, in Latin American studies or Hispanic studies
- Minimum average grade of 2.3 (german grading) in previous studies
- Students from other departments must have regional knowledge of the Americas amounting to 24 ECTS
- Required language skills (proof of, for example, 5 years of schooling or language courses at universities, language and cultural institutes)
- English language skills at CEFR level B2
- Knowledge of Spanish at CEFR level A2
Further information on the admission requirements can be found in the examination regulations on the website of the University of Bonn.
When applying, it is important to note that all required certificates, such as university entrance qualification certificate and BA certificate (or equivalent degree) must be available as PDF documents in order to upload them to the applicant profile in the application process.
Optionally, a letter of motivation, internship certificates and a CV can also be uploaded to the application portal for a better assessment of the applicant.
For applicants from abroad, please note that the required documents must be available as certified translations (in German or English) in addition to the original documents in PDF format.
For formal questions and problems with the Master's portal, please contact our study program management (Katharina Pawlak) by email at studiengangsmanagement.altamerikanistik@uni-bonn.de
You can also contact us if you have any questions about the content of the program. You can find all contact details under Student Advisory Service.
Hier findest du die wichtigsten Links für dein Studium.
- Im Modulhandbuch findest du die Studieninhalte, -leistungen sowie Prüfungsleistungen zu dem jeweiligen Modul.
- In der Prüfungsordnung sind Studien- und Prüfungsleistung aufgeführt.
- Beim Prüfungsamt findest du alle wichtigen Infos rund um das Thema Prüfungen.
Wichtig: Vergiss nicht, dich zu Beginn deines Studiums für das Masterprüfungsverfahren anzumelden. Ohne eine Anmeldung dazu kannst du dich für keine Prüfung anmelden und darfst auch keine Prüfung mitschreiben!
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Study Program management and academic advising
Student Advisory Service
If you have formal questions about application procedures and deadlines, language certificates, BASIS problems, registration and examination modalities, please contact the degree program management. You can also discuss content-related questions with the program management.
Consultation hours take place by appointment. Please make an appointment by e-mail.
Address
2nd Floor, Room 2.004
Oxfordstr. 15
53111 Bonn
more informationen
PhD Program
Would you like to continue your studies after your Master's degree? Here you can find all the information about a PhD at our department.
Library
Here you can find all information about the library (lending, stock, opening hours).
International office
The international office is available to all students from abroad for all questions relating to their studies