Health and Society in South Asia
| Degree: | Master of Arts |
| Application required: | Limited intake |
| Course start: | winter semester |
| Course duration: | 4 semesters |
| Form of course: | full-time |
| Language requirements: | English |
| Other: | post-graduate course (consecutive) |
| Language of instruction: | English |
Faculty for Behavioral and Cultural Studies
Programme overview
How do people in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka) deal with health and illness? What theories underlie the indigenous medicine systems of South Asia, such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga or Unani and how are they practised? What are the most important and urgent health problems in South Asia today, and how do the different health systems, those of conventional and indigenous medicine, react to them? What impact are environmental changes having on the medical situation in South Asia? These and similar questions are to be the subject of interdisciplinary study in the new Master of Health and Society in South Asia.
This two-year English-medium Master’s programme deals with medical ethnology in combination with South Asian studies. It is directed at two prospective groups: (1) students planning to work in medical development assistance, or who have gained professional experience there, and (2) students aspiring to an academic career in ethnology or a neighbouring discipline. Furthermore, we would like to interest Southeast Asian and other international students in this course.
The Southeast Asia Institute with its departments - Anthropology, Cultural and Religious History of South Asia (Classical Indology), Development Economics, Geography, History, Modern South Asian Languages and Literature (Modern Indology), Political Science - and branch offices in Colombo, Delhi, Islamabad Kathmandu offer excellent conditions for this course.
The South Asia Institute in Heidelberg offers access to sources and research literature unique in Europe, which is of benefit to both teaching and research. Its library contains over 260 000 volumes and a comprehensive collection of periodicals, plus a multimedia collection.
International teaching staff, conferences and lecture series enable students to gain practical and living access to contemporary research fields and questions. Cooperation with the Institute of Public Health and the Institute of Anthropology strengthen the availability of teaching and supervision.
The Master’s programme consists of the following compulsory modules:
- Introduction to Medical Anthropology
- Healing in South Asia
- Health and Environment in South Asia
- Methods in Medical Anthropology
Students can choose between a number of optional courses in the field of South Asia studies and Medical Anthropology. Further, a South Asian language must be studied over two semesters. Classes in presentation techniques and academic English support the students during their course and prepare them for professional life. The thesis should arise from a small-scale research project or internship in South Asia; it may, however, be based exclusively on the study of specialist literature.
Course structure
The first semester gives an introduction to Medical Anthropology, in general, and the Medical Anthropology of South Asia, in particular, through Medical Anthropology and Systems of Healing in South Asia. Furthermore, two optional modules must be attended from the areas of Medical Anthropology / Regional South Asia Studies. These optional modules vary from year to year, and may be taken from the following courses in the thematic and regional field:
- Medical History of South Asia
- South Asian Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Medical Anthropology and Public Health of South Asia
- Health Policy in South Asia
- Health and Ethnicity
- Anthropology of the body
- HIV/Aids – a challenge for Medical Anthropology
In the second semester, the focus is on medical and anthropological research methods, and the environment and health. Accordingly, students attend two compulsory modules, Methods in Medical Anthropology and Health and Environment. At the same time, they start to learn a South Asian language and select a further module from the optional regional and thematic offering.
In the third semester, sutdents begin preparing for their research or internship. Besides intensive reading, they draw up a work plan and draft their thesis in cooperation with their supervisor. In addition, students attend another regional or thematic module and continue learning their South Asian language.
In the university vacation before the fourth semester, students begin their research or internship, and during the lecture period they write their thesis, accompanied by a weekly colloquium.
Within the first three semesters the students select an option within the module on presentation techniques; they can choose e.g. Academic English or Oral Presentation Skills.
Detailed information on the requirements and structure of this Master’s programme may be found in the examination regulations, the module handbook and the admission regulations. Likewise on the SAI website Homepage.
Research fields
- Ritual Healing
- Traditional Medical systems of South Asia (Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine, popular medicine)
- Health and the environment
- Health and ethics
- Reproductive health
- Culture and medicines
Formalities
Admission
There is an entry restriction and an admission restriction. Please consult the Admission regulations.
German students
German students can enrol without prior application at the Central University Administration building by the beginning of lectures. They are required to show the written statement of admission issued by the representative of the desired Master’s programme, confirming that preconditions according to the admission regulations have been met. Please inquire from the academic advisor about further procedure.
International students
International students must apply in writing to enable due examination of their previous academic achievements. The closing date for international applicants is 15 June for the winter semester, and 15 November for the summer semester. The application must go directly to the International Relations Office. Please use the following M.A. application form and enclose the necessary documents.
Current information on procedure
Examination regulations
Examination regulations Master
Examinations board
The respective examinations board or office is responsible for credit transfer, recognition, and examination issues. Further details are available from the academic advisor.
Fees
To study at Heidelberg University, fees must be paid at the beginning of each semester.
Academic advisor
Eva Ambos
South Asia Institute
Department of Anthropology
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330, Room 510
Mon 9:00-11:00, during the university vacation please send an email
Phone: +49 (0)6221-54-8798
E-Mail: mahassa@uni-heidelberg.de
Contact
Master of Health and Society in South Asia
Südasien-Institut
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330
D-69120 Heidelberg
Office
Abteilung Ethnologie
Phone: +49 (0)6221- 54-8931 oder -8798
Fax: +49 (0)6221-54-54-8898
E-Mail: mahassa@uni-heidelberg.de
Internet: www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/ethno/mahassa
