Cultural Anthropology is the right course of studies for you if you…
… are interested in other people, regardless of where they come from or their ideologies.
… want to understand other cultures, languages and historical interconnections.
… enjoy critically questioning and analyzing even what may initially seem self-evident.
… enjoy reading complex academic texts.
… are enthusiastic about qualitative research approaches and would like to conduct your own research!

For this program of study, you must be able to read and understand specialist literature in English. However, you will not be required to provide separate proof of your language skills.

A prerequisite for this program of study is a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology or a related field (e.g., Empirical Cultural Studies, Popular Cultures, Historical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Cultural Studies) or an equivalent degree from a higher education institution.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

Applicants who have not obtained a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course must provide proof of sufficient German language skills. These must correspond to the level DSH-2 of the “German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants” and must be proven by the time of enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for the selection process is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in section 2 of the examination regulations.

At the beginning of your studies, you will review current and historically relevant academic debates on the theory and methodology of cultural studies at an advanced level. In addition, you will pursue your own research interests, navigating and choosing from a range of courses that is just as broad as the spectrum of topics in the field! Some topics covered in courses include the following:

• Migration and globalization
• Customs and rituals
• Interculturality
• Media in everyday life
• Health and nutrition
• Narrative research (e.g., biographical storytelling)
• Clothing and fashion
• Cultures of remembrance
• Childhood and adolescence
• Research and regional history

In addition to theoretical specialization, your studies will focus on the realization of two research projects, which you will carry out from the initial idea to the presentation of results (e.g., in an exhibition or book publication) under professional conditions, accompanied by subject-specific courses.

Good to know: The two research projects complement each other in relation to time, as their content will either be focused on the present or historically oriented.

Your studies will also include a look beyond your own discipline. In a required elective module, you will choose courses from various other subjects such as Ethnology, Film Studies, German Studies, History, Theater Studies, or Educational Sciences. You will also gain didactic experience as a master’s student by leading a practice class for bachelor’s students.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Erasmus+ and other programs allow you to spend up to two semesters abroad at over 20 partner universities in Europe. JGU Mainz also has worldwide exchange partnerships.

It is recommended that you complete a semester abroad during a period other than the two-semester research project. If you start your studies in the winter semester, any time after the 4th semester; if you start your studies in the summer semester, after the 3rd semester.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Cultural Anthropology qualifies you for a variety of professional fields. In addition to your specialized knowledge, you will have acquired excellent research and writing skills, knowledge of academic and scientific communication, intercultural competence, media literacy, and skills in project organization and coordination.

Cultural anthropologists typically work in the following areas or for the following employers after graduation:

• Education (training and continuing education, adult education and counseling, including linguistic and social support for migrants)
• Cultural management and cultural mediation, curatorial work (e.g., in theaters, museums, exhibitions, educational institutions, libraries, archives, and documentation centers)
• Academia and academic administration (research and teaching, e.g., at universities, higher education institutions, research institutions, and for projects), public service and administration (e.g., as a specialist consultant)
• Media, journalism, public relations, press, radio, television, online editorial offices, publishing houses, specialist publishers (editorial departments, copyediting, etc.)
• Leisure, tourism, and event management
• Advertising
• Business (e.g., consulting, marketing, human resources, corporate training)
• Politics and social affairs (e.g., in ministries, political parties, foundations, educational institutions, associations, and clubs)
• International organizations, NGOs, economic organizations

Good to know: You can lay the foundation for these activities during your studies through internships and part-time jobs.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.