MA in Anthropology

MA in Anthropology at Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University

The MA in Anthropology at the Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University is a two-year postgraduate program organized across four semesters. The program carries 60 credit hours and combines anthropological theory, research methods, regional study, specialized fields, research design, and thesis work.

Students move from classical and contemporary anthropological theories to advanced research methods and subject areas such as kinship, caste, ethnicity, nationalism, economic anthropology, linguistic anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeological anthropology. The curriculum also provides elective options in areas including medical anthropology, development, disaster and resilience, historical anthropology, and gender studies. Research training continues through the final semester with a research design practicum and a six-credit thesis.

Course Highlights

About the MA in Anthropology

The MA in Anthropology is structured for postgraduate study of human societies, cultures, social relationships, biological dimensions, language, material history, and the methods anthropologists use to investigate them.

The course places theory and research alongside one another. Students begin with classical theories, introductory research methods, kinship studies, and anthropology of Nepal and the Himalaya. Later semesters move into contemporary theory, advanced research methods, specialized branches of anthropology, electives, research design, and thesis writing.

This structure gives students sustained contact with both disciplinary foundations and research practice. Nepal and the Himalayan region also form a distinct part of the academic setting rather than appearing only as background examples.

Duration and Credit Structure

Duration: 2 years

Academic Structure: 4 semesters

Total Credits: 60 credit hours

A three-credit course generally represents 50 lecture hours.

The four-semester sequence progresses from theoretical and methodological foundations toward specialized study and independent research. Thesis writing carries six credits in the fourth semester.

MA in Anthropology Curriculum

Semester I

The first semester introduces core theoretical, methodological, and regional areas of anthropology.

• Introduction to Anthropology (AN 561)

• Classical Theories in Anthropology (AN 562)

• Kinship Studies (AN 563)

• Research Methods (AN 564)

• Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalaya (AN 565)

Introduction to Anthropology establishes the disciplinary setting, while Classical Theories in Anthropology introduces major theoretical traditions. Kinship Studies focuses on social relationships and systems of relatedness. Research Methods begins formal methodological training, and Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalaya places regional study within the semester.

Semester II

The second semester moves into contemporary theory, advanced methodology, and selected areas of social anthropology.

• Contemporary Theories (AN 571)

• Recent Trends in Kinship (AN 572)

• Caste, Ethnicity & Nationalism (AN 573)

• Advanced Research Methods (AN 574)

• Economic Anthropology (AN 575)

Students continue theoretical study through contemporary approaches while returning to kinship from more recent perspectives. Caste, ethnicity, nationalism, and economic anthropology add focused areas of social analysis. Advanced Research Methods extends the methodological work begun in the first semester.

Semester III

The third semester includes:

• Linguistic Anthropology

• Physical Anthropology

• Three elective courses

Elective options include:

• Medical Anthropology

• Disaster and Resilience

• Anthropology of Development

This semester broadens the disciplinary range of the course. Linguistic Anthropology brings language and social communication into anthropological study, while Physical Anthropology adds a biological dimension. The elective component allows students to concentrate on selected areas of interest.

Semester IV

The fourth semester includes:

• Archaeological Anthropology

• Research Design Practicum

• Thesis Writing — 6 credits

• One elective course

Elective options include:

• Historical Anthropology

• Gender Studies

The final semester places substantial attention on research. Archaeological Anthropology adds the study of past societies through material evidence, while the Research Design Practicum prepares students for structured research work. The six-credit thesis gives students a formal research component within the MA program.

Main Areas of Study

Anthropological Theory

Students study both classical and contemporary anthropological theories.

The sequence allows them to encounter earlier theoretical traditions before moving into more recent approaches. These theories provide different ways of examining social organization, culture, identity, kinship, economic life, and other aspects of human societies.

Research Methods

Research training appears at several stages of the program.

Students begin with Research Methods in the first semester and continue with Advanced Research Methods in the second. Research Design Practicum and thesis writing in the final semester extend this work into the planning and execution of research.

Kinship

Kinship is studied across the first two semesters through Kinship Studies and Recent Trends in Kinship.

This gives students both foundational and more recent perspectives on family, relatedness, social organization, and the wider anthropological study of kinship.

Nepal and the Himalaya

Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalaya forms part of the first-semester curriculum.

The course places Nepal and the Himalayan region directly within postgraduate anthropological study and connects regional questions with wider disciplinary perspectives.

Caste, Ethnicity and Nationalism

The second-semester course on Caste, Ethnicity & Nationalism addresses social identities, relationships, and political and cultural formations that are relevant to anthropological analysis.

Economic Anthropology

Economic Anthropology introduces anthropological approaches to economic relationships and practices within different social and cultural settings.

Linguistic, Physical and Archaeological Anthropology

The later semesters include Linguistic Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, and Archaeological Anthropology.

Together, these subjects extend the program beyond sociocultural anthropology and reflect the department's broader engagement with the four-field tradition of anthropology.

Elective Areas

Electives allow students to study selected branches of anthropology in greater depth.

Available options identified within the curriculum include:

• Medical Anthropology

• Disaster and Resilience

• Anthropology of Development

• Historical Anthropology

• Gender Studies

These subjects connect anthropological analysis with health, development, disaster, history, and gender.

Research and Thesis

Research is built into the MA program rather than being confined to the final semester.

Students study research methods during the first year and move into research design and thesis work during the fourth semester. The thesis carries six credits.

This sequence supports the development of skills related to research planning, field-based inquiry, data collection, interpretation, analysis, and academic writing.

The academic setting of the Central Department of Anthropology also includes research projects, scholarly publications, seminars, conferences, and a bimonthly colloquium series. These activities place postgraduate study within a wider research environment.

Course Objectives

The MA in Anthropology is intended to help students:

• Develop advanced knowledge of anthropological concepts and theoretical approaches.

• Build competence in anthropological research methods.

• Examine social and cultural questions through analytical and comparative perspectives.

• Work with interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches.

• Develop the ability to plan and undertake independent research.

• Apply ethical principles within anthropological research.

• Prepare for further academic study and research in anthropology.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in anthropology or a related field from a recognized institution.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree in another discipline may also be considered where they demonstrate a strong interest in anthropology.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the MA in Anthropology, students are expected to develop the ability to:

• Explain classical and contemporary anthropological theories.

• Apply anthropological concepts to social, cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological questions.

• Use research methods appropriate to anthropological inquiry.

• Plan and undertake independent research.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret research material.

• Present anthropological arguments and research findings in written and oral forms.

• Examine social and cultural issues through critical and interdisciplinary perspectives.

• Follow ethical principles in anthropological research.

Faculty and Academic Setting

Faculty members at the Central Department of Anthropology have academic and research interests across several areas of the discipline.

Their research fields include:

• Religion

• Kinship

• Gender

• Ethnicity

• Indigeneity

• Historical anthropology

• Medical anthropology

• Inclusion and exclusion

• Federalism

• Peasantry and land

• Development

• Infrastructure

• Natural resource management

• Climate change

These areas overlap with several subjects taught in the MA curriculum and provide a wider academic setting for postgraduate study and research.

The department also undertakes academic and applied research projects, publishes academic journals, organizes annual anthropology conferences and periodic seminars, and conducts a bimonthly colloquium series.

Who May Consider MA in Anthropology?

The program may be relevant to graduates who want to study human societies and cultures at an advanced level and who are interested in theory, field research, social analysis, cultural interpretation, or academic research.

It may also suit students interested in themes such as kinship, caste, ethnicity, gender, health, development, history, language, environmental questions, and social change.

Because the course includes research methods, research design, and thesis writing, it also provides a route for students interested in continuing toward research-oriented postgraduate study.

Further Study

The MA in Anthropology provides an academic route toward higher study in anthropology.

The Central Department of Anthropology also has MPhil-level study, while the PhD in Anthropology is administered in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University.

Students seeking further research training may therefore continue into advanced postgraduate and doctoral study, subject to the applicable academic and admission requirements.

Career Areas

Graduates of the MA in Anthropology may consider roles and sectors where research, social analysis, cultural knowledge, community engagement, policy work, or development-related study is relevant.

Possible areas include:

• Anthropological research

• University and academic work

• Research institutions

• Policy analysis

• Cultural resource management

• Social research

• Community development

• Program evaluation

• Museums and heritage-related work

• Environmental and social research

• Research consultancy

• Government agencies

• Non-governmental organizations

• International organizations

• Development projects

Specific positions depend on qualifications, experience, research background, employer requirements, and the nature of the role.

Skills Developed Through the Program

The course can support the development of skills in:

• Anthropological analysis

• Research design

• Field research

• Data collection

• Qualitative interpretation

• Critical reading

• Academic writing

• Research presentation

• Comparative analysis

• Cross-cultural understanding

• Ethical research practice

The thesis and research-methods sequence gives particular weight to research planning, analysis, and academic communication.

Scholarships and Research Support

Students may have access to scholarships, fellowships, dissertation grants, and other financial or research support associated with the Central Department of Anthropology and the University Grants Commission.

The department's broader academic environment also includes information on national and international scholarships, grants, and research fellowship opportunities relevant to anthropology.

Availability and eligibility depend on the particular form of support.

Fee Information

The fee structure for the MA in Anthropology can be obtained from the administrative office of the Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.

FAQ

What is the MA in Anthropology at Tribhuvan University?

The MA in Anthropology is a postgraduate program covering anthropological theory, research methods, Nepal and Himalayan studies, kinship, caste and ethnicity, economic anthropology, linguistic anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeological anthropology, electives, research design, and thesis work.

How long is the MA in Anthropology?

The program runs for two years across four semesters.

How many credits are required for the MA in Anthropology?

The program carries 60 credit hours.

What is the eligibility for MA in Anthropology?

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in anthropology or a related field from a recognized institution. Applicants from other disciplines may also be considered where they demonstrate a strong interest in anthropology.

Does the MA in Anthropology include a thesis?

Yes. Thesis Writing is included in the fourth semester and carries six credits.

What electives are available in the MA in Anthropology?

Elective areas include Medical Anthropology, Disaster and Resilience, Anthropology of Development, Historical Anthropology, and Gender Studies.

Does the program include research-methods courses?

Yes. The curriculum includes Research Methods, Advanced Research Methods, Research Design Practicum, and thesis work.

What can students study after completing the MA?

Students may continue to advanced postgraduate or doctoral study in anthropology. The department has MPhil-level study, while the PhD program is administered in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University.

What career areas may be relevant after an MA in Anthropology?

Graduates may consider research, academic work, policy analysis, community development, cultural resource management, museums, NGOs, government agencies, development organizations, international organizations, and related research or social-analysis roles.