CREOLE - Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes – (M.A.)

Contents

The consortium has agreed on a general curriculum. The different departments are adapting this curriculum locally.

General CurriculumJoint Degree "European Master in Social and Cultural Anthropology - EuMA.sca"
(Joint-Master Programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes)

§ 1 Profile of Qualification and Study Aims(1) Study Aims

Within the context of the Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes students are trained in three major fields using theories and empirical examples: a) New Identities b) Material culture and consumption c) Visual culture. These topics are treated in the context of transnational processes, cultural diversity/difference and new forms of sociality.

(2) Qualifications

The Joint Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes conveys the following scientific qualifications to students:

* competence of individual scientific research;
* a consolidated understanding of the social meaning of transnational and intercultural interconnections and networks;
* the ability to analyse socio-cultural processes in transnational contexts;
* the mastery of adequate scientific research skills;
* competencies in solving socio-cultural problems;
* the ability to cooperate and communicate in learning, teaching and research in transnational networks.

The programme conveys the following additional qualities:

* an increase of the European dimension due to a study period in at least one of the partner universities of the joint Master programme
* the qualifications are passed on by a "pool of expertise" characteristic of the consortium;
* additional possibilities of continuing doctoral studies/PhD programmes in the universities and countries of the consortium.

(3) Areas of application

The Joint Master programme provides students with certain general skills and competencies but not train them for specific jobs. In the Master programme special attention is paid to the following aspects which are relevant for society at large:

* Students are trained in topics that are highly topical in the context of multiple, complex lifeworlds (e.g. cultural diversity, transnationalism, migration, visual culture, popular culture).
* Social and cultural diversity: During their studies they become familiar with at least two different socio-cultural settings in Europe.
* Linguistic diversity: Apart from their mother tongue, students acquire high linguistic competence in English as the lingua franca of the Master programme. Furthermore, they are encouraged to learn at least one more local language.

The areas of application are related to the competencies acquired in topics like diversity, intercultural brokerage, identifying socio-cultural problems and finding possible solutions to them as well as project management.

Institutions where graduates of the MA programme might work are e.g.:

* institutions working on cultural heritage;
* management of social and cultural diversity;
* project design and project management;
* areas of life-long learning;
* consultancy of organisations;
* international organisations.

Due to the Joint Master, students have increased job possibilities within various EU countries and associated states.

§ 2 Structure of the programme

(1) The workload of students is generally measured in European Credit Transfer System points (ECTS).

(2) The Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes consists of 7 modules which students can choose from a possible 8 modules:

* 2 of 3 CREOLE thematic modules, each comprising 15 ECTS (total: 30 ECTS)
* 2 general modules, each comprising 15 ECTS (total: 30 ECTS)
* 1 CREOLE-Erasmus module à 15 ECTS;
* 1 CREOLE-thesis-1 module à 15 ECTS;
* 1 CREOLE-thesis-2 module à 30 ECTS.

(3) In order to make effective use of the "pool of expertise" of the consortium, parts of modules (i.e. individual courses) may be attended in different departments of the consortium. However, each semester students have to take courses amounting to 30 ECTS.

(4) The student mobility in the Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes amounts to 12 months.

(5) The Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes offers 3 options for student mobility:

a. 2nd and 3rd semester at one of the partner universities of the consortium, finish at university where the programme was begun.
b. 2nd semester at one of the partner universities of the consortium, 3rd semester at a second partner university, finish at the university where the programme was begun.
c. 3rd and 4th semester at one of the partner universities, writing of thesis and defence at this university. Students have to apply specifically for this option upon application to the programme.

§ 3 Conditions of admission

(1) Admission generally has to take place according to the criteria of the consortium and is organised independently by each institution. An application for admission is required which may have to be presented to the Steering Group (consisting of the local coordinators of the joint Master programme) and the external expert of the consortium. The application must be written in English and has to contain:

* CV
* Transcript of previous study programme/s
* proof of good or advanced knowledge of English
* proof of knowledge of language spoken at the partner institution/s which the student intends to visit in the course of student mobility is desirable
* letter of recommendation by a mentor of the previous study programme
* intended study trajectory in the Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes
* cover letter stating motivation of application:

- short description of thematic interest
- preferred option of mobility (naming 2 alternative partner institutions)
- name of preferred supervisor at the university where the programme is begun and at the intended partner university. In the course of the Joint-Master programme these supervisors can be changed.

The 12-month student mobility must be guaranteed. Students must bring proof of acceptance into the Erasmus programme or any other funding programme or bring proof of their own financial resources.

(2) All students of the Joint Master Programme receive Erasmus-Status during their mobility.
(3) In each academic year up to 6 students are accepted by each partner university. This number results from a) the capacity of accepting students in the different partner institutions and b) the capacity of the Erasmus-Intensive Programme at the beginning of the 3rd semester.
(4) Students who are accepted to the Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes by any institution of the consortium are also accepted as students at the partner universities.

§ 4 Academic Degree

(1) Graduates of the Joint-Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes must be awarded the title "European Master of Social Anthropology" abbreviated "EuMA.sca". This academic degree has to be used behind the name.
(2) Along with the title European Master in Social and Cultural Anthropology students receive a Diploma Supplement listing the following details:

* chosen places of study
* chosen modules and grades achieved
* the courses taken within the modules with grades and corresponding ECTS-points
* topic of Master thesis
* grade of Master thesis
* grade of defence of thesis
* names of examination board

§ 5 Structure, modules and allocation of ECTS-points

(1) The European Master of Social Anthropology consists of modules. One module is made up of a number of courses whose number and kind depend on the topic treated as well as on the kind of courses offered in the partner universities. Each module conveys a set of skills.
(2) The Joint-Master Programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes has the following structure at all the partner universities:

(3) The Joint-Master Programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes is based on three forms of mobility in order to realize the international linkages and the features shared by the consortium:

Modules

* General module 1: general topics of social and cultural anthropology (contents to be defined by partner institutions)
* General module 2: general topics of social and cultural anthropology (contents to be defined by partner institutions)
* CREOLE Thematic module 1: a, New Identities; b, Material Culture and Consumption; c, Visual Culture; Popular Culture
* CREOLE Thematic module 2: a, New Identities
b, Material Culture and Consumption; c, Visual Culture; Popular Culture
* CREOLE Erasmus module: a, Erasmus Intensive Programme
b, 2 courses given via Teacher Exchange
* CREOLE Thesis module 1:data collection for Master thesis
* CREOLE Thesis module 2:a, seminar
b, writing of Master thesis; c, defence of Master thesis

* Student Mobility: Each student has to spend at least 2 semesters and up to 12 months in one or two partner institutions. There are three options for student mobility:

(a) 1st semester at university A. 2nd and 3rd semester at university B. 4th semester at university A, writing of thesis and defence at university A.
(b) 1st semester at university A. 2nd semester at university B, and 3rd semester at university C. 4th semester at university A, writing of thesis and defence at university A.
(c) 1st and 2nd semester at university A. 3rd and 4th semester at university B, writing of thesis and defence at university B.
* Teacher Mobility: Each academic year one lecturer from each department of the consortium should lecture in one of the other partner departments within the Erasmus Teacher Exchange for a minimum of 12 contact hours(see CREOLE-Erasmus-module).

* Erasmus Intensive Programme: At the beginning of the 3rd semester students from the same year from all partner universities should participate in an Erasmus-Intensive Programme specifically for them. In case an Erasmus-Intensive Programme cannot be carried out in that year, alternative courses are provided (see CREOLE-Erasmus-module).

§ 6 Master thesis

(1) The topic of the written Master thesis has to be related to one of the three core topics of the Joint-Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes:

* New Identities
* Material Culture and Consumption
* Visual Culture | Popular Culture

(2) The Master thesis has to consist of a minimum of 50.000 words.

§7 Defence of Master thesis

(1) In order to apply for the defence of the Master thesis students must have completed all modules and the Master thesis must have been approved of.
(2) The defence of the Master thesis is a public oral examination advertised in public and has to take place in front of a board of examiners.

§ 8 Regulations concerning exams(1) The subject matter covered in the exam/s of each course has to correspond to the number of ECTS-points allocated to each course. This regulation concerns all types of courses.
(2) In each course the success of studying must be determined. At the beginning of each course and in each semester lecturers have to inform students in an adequate written form about the criteria and forms of assessment.
(3) Each exam is only valid for one module. It is impossible to count exams or courses more than once.
(4) The study programme is completed after the Master thesis has been positively approved and the thesis defended.

§ 9 General regulations

(1) Handicapped students

Handicapped students should not face disadvantages due to their handicap. Applications for granting adequate alternatives to compulsory courses (especially courses in rugged terrain etc.) as well as applications for granting alternative forms of assessment must be accepted if the student can prove that his/her handicap keeps him/her from attending the course or the exam as planned by the lecturer or makes it extremely difficult. In case the application is not accepted, the organ which is monocratic according to the Study Laws issues a written refusal. It must be guaranteed that the alternative courses or the alternative forms of assessment lead to the required qualifications and study aims.

(2) Working women and students attending to children

Special requests for the timing and structure of the courses by working women and students attending to children should be taken into account if at all possible.

(3) Socio-economic disadvantages

Students participating in the Joint-Master programme CREOLE-Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes should not face disadvantages due to their socio-economic situation.