University of Heidelberg

M.A. Health and Society in South Asia

The Master of Arts Health and Society in South Asia (MAHASSA) is a two-year degree, combining Medical Anthropology with South Asian Studies. Students who do not speak a South Asian language will further attend courses in one South Asian language. Medical Anthropology is the study of healing systems, not primarily in terms of scientific theories or health policies, but rather focusing on how they are practiced in concrete, socio-cultural and political-economic contexts. The program includes many health-related topics, including plural medical systems, Ayurveda and other forms of traditional Indian medicine, social inequality and health, mental health, public health, global health, Science, Technology and Medicine, health and environment, gender and reproduction, religion and healing, and fieldwork methods.

MAHASSA is integrated with the curriculum at Heidelberg University’s South Asia Institute, one of the world’s leading centers of interdisciplinary research and teaching on South Asia. This allows students to integrate courses from the other disciplines at the Institute in geography, political science, history, development economics, or South Asian languages into their plan of study. Most students base their Master’s Thesis on field research conducted in South Asia. MAHASSA students have observed and participated in health-related NGOs and development projects, worked in hospitals and with traditional healers, and conducted research on the health problems of South Asian migrants in Europe, just to name a few projects.

MAHASSA is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the health sector and related fields and also for those who plan to go on to doctoral studies in Anthropology or related disciplines. Graduates of the MAHASSA program have pursued both of these options. Prospective fields of employment for MAHASSA graduates lie in health management and public and global health, development work, work in NGOs and iNGOs, intercultural communication and training, applied research and think tanks, diversity management, international communication, public relations, or adult education.

We attract international students who work together in an interdisciplinary environment, where they benefit from each other’s academic as well as cultural background. We encourage South Asian students to apply.

Program Coordinator
Pallabi Roy, M.Phil.
South Asia Institute
[R 130.02.18]
Department of Anthropology
Heidelberg University
Voßstraße 2/Building 4130
69115 Heidelberg
Germany

Phone: + 49 (0) 6221 54-15232
Fax: + 49 (0) 6221 54-15232
mahassa@uni-heidelberg.de

Office Hours:
Mondays 2-4pm.
Please contact via e-mail for appointments: pallabi.roy@sai.uni-heidelberg.de


Secretary's Office
Sandra Joost
South Asia Institute
[R 130.02.20]
Department of Anthropology
Heidelberg University
Voßstraße 2/Building 4130
69115 Heidelberg
Germany

Phone:+ 49 (0) 6221 54-15230 sandra.joost@uni-heidelberg.de

Office Hours:
Tue - Thu: 10-12am




MAHASSA Examination Office

Informed Consent Guidelines

MAHASSA Booklet
Mailing List

For announcements of upcoming lectures and other information about Medical Anthropology in Heidelberg, please subscribe to our mailing list.
Subscribe here

Last modified 20th March, 2023


to top of page