COURSE CURRICULUM

The bachelor’s program in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University is designed to combine a strong academic foundation with hands-on research experience, preparing students to critically engage with global challenges and cultural diversity. In the first year, students acquire the basics of anthropology by learning theories, concepts, and methods for studying everyday life and human resilience, creativity, and self-expression. The first semester focuses on key anthropological frameworks, while the second semester introduces practical research skills such as interviewing, surveys, and participant observation. A hallmark of Leiden’s program is its emphasis on audiovisual methods, including visual and digital approaches to ethnography. Alongside these skills, students practice critical thinking and academic writing, applying them during fieldwork in Leiden or The Hague, where they begin their journey as socially engaged researchers.In the second year, students deepen their knowledge and discover their strengths by choosing one of two specialisations. The People Planet Power track explores the intersection of sustainability, politics, economics, and the environment, examining both ecological and social dimensions of global challenges. The Media Making Movements track focuses on digital communities and visual storytelling, offering training in multimodal research methods such as filmmaking, drawing, and sonic ethnography. This track examines how digitalisation transforms cultural practices, shapes social relations, and raises questions about representation, digital literacy, and exclusion. Students may also choose to follow both tracks by using elective space in their third year. Regardless of specialisation, the second year includes a month-long fieldwork project in the Netherlands, where students analyse their own data, connect findings to societal debates, and present results at a public conference.The third year allows students to tailor their program according to their interests and future plans. They can study abroad, complete a minor, or undertake an internship for professional experience. Alongside these options, students write a bachelor’s thesis on a self-chosen topic, demonstrating their ability to conduct independent research and critically analyse societal issues. This final year provides the flexibility to prepare for either continued academic study or entry into diverse professional fields, equipping graduates with valuable intercultural, analytical, and research skills.