Anthropology
Established in 1964, the Department of Anthropology at the South Asia Institute has long been a premier center for research in Europe. Following a significant period of growth in Medical Anthropology that began in 2000, the department continues to evolve its focus to meet contemporary regional and global challenges.
Our research covers India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, reflecting our commitment to understanding the cultures of these regions. Beyond Medical Anthropology, our department engages in a broad range of subjects that include:
- Studies on caste systems and marginalized communities
- Exploration of oral traditions
- Analysis of performance
- Examination of religious practices and pilgrimage
- Investigations of statehood and geopolitical boundaries
- Studies of migration and political structures
Our current academic offerings have been streamlined to provide a robust, research-oriented education through our Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. At the undergraduate level, we offer a Bachelor of Arts in South Asian Studies, which provides students with a foundational understanding of the region's cultural and social dynamics. For graduate students, our primary focus is now the Master of Arts in South Asian Studies (MADESH), an interdisciplinary program that replaces the discontinued MAHASSA track.
We prioritize immersive field research, encouraging deep engagement with local communities to deepen our understanding and enhance our educational offerings. Essential to this immersive approach is language proficiency, and to this end, we provide a diverse array of South Asian language courses to equip our students with the necessary linguistic skills.
