Master of Arts in Social Science

• Anthropology

  Anthropology

  Topics

  • political anthropology of agricultural and environmental issues;
  • socio-anthropology of migration, international aid and development in postcolonial societies;
  • socio-anthropology of art, culture and heritage.

  Aims

  This specialisation trains students to analyse the challenges of our era from an empirical and ethnographic standpoint. Students acquire:

  • the ability to analyse socio-political change in key areas of the global policy agenda, and to reflect on how anthropological knowledge can be responsibly applied in these areas;
  • the ability to de-center one’s analytic perspective, through long-term study and reflexivity;
  • for those interested, the possibility to work closely with the Neuchâtel Ethnography Museum in the areas of museography, ethnographic film and ethnomusicology.

  Neuchâtel’s strengths

  The specialisation offers two areas for profesionnalisation that are unique in Switzerland:

  • Careers in culture’, which gives students the opportunity to create a film or a museum exhibition;
  • The anthropology of social and environmental action’, in which students carry out an internship with an NGO or an administrative body in relation to their MA thesis.
• Human Geography

  Human Geography

  Topics
  
  This specialisation takes the geography of today’s greatest challenges as its general theme. It trains students to analyse the key issues confronting today’s societies, such as digitisation, global urbanisation, migration and climate change.

  Aims
  
  The Human Geography specialisation provides students with:

  • the ability to analyse critically the geographical aspects of the underlying changes in today’s societies;
  •  the means to develop relevant and innovative solutions to society’s principal problems (security, urbanisation, migration, climate change);
  • in-depth mastery of the qualitative and quantitative methods students are likely to encounter in their future careers.

  Neuchâtel’s strengths
  The teaching staff is particularly interested in addressing topical issues and engaging in public debate (such as print media, audio-visual media, blogs and so on), and is active in cutting-edge geographical research.
   

• Migration and Citizenship

  Migration and Citizenship

  Topics

  The specialisation applies an interdisciplinary perspective to two issues central to modern society: the movement of people, and the socio-economic and political integration of societies. These issues are intrinsically linked to the future organisation of nation states, and how they relate to transnational phenomena, be they personal, economic, legal or political.
  
  Aims

  The specialisation allows students to hone and expand on their Bachelor’s level knowledge, not only by integrating an interdisciplinary approach, but also by specialising in the study of migration and the theory and practice of citizenship, mobility, migration policy and transnationalism. The seminars systematically address topical issues relating to debates on migration. The specialisation also teaches advanced skills in qualitative and/or quantitative methods, as well as providing students with the versatility they will need in their future careers.séminaires. Le pilier permet également d’acquérir des compétences approfondies en méthodes qualitatives et/ou quantitatives ainsi qu’une polyvalence pour de futures activités professionnelles.

  Neuchâtel’s strengths
  
  Neuchâtel is the only Swiss university offering a specialised programme of study in Migration and Citizenship. With its nccr – on the move (National Centre of Competence in Research), the University of Neuchâtel has strengthened its research role within Switzerland, giving students the chance to engage with new people and ideas.

• Psychology and Education

  Psychology and Education

  Topics
  
  The Psychology and Education specialisation teaches the sociocultural psychology of development, enabling students to study life trajectories, reasoning, memory and imagination, educational or workplace interactions, and institutional arrangements.
  
  Aims
  
  The specialisation allows you to:

  • acquire advanced knowledge, both classical and contemporary;
  • develop an analytical mindset and argumentation skills, with group reflection among peers and experts;
  • master the tools of research and intervention, while engaging with epistemological and ethical concerns;
  • define your own unique project, according to your interests.

  Neuchâtel’s strengths
  
  The specialisation offers a programme of sociocultural and interdisciplinary psychology that is unique in Europe, reflecting the Institute of Psychology and Education’s cutting-edge research.

• Sociology

  Sociology

  Topics
  
  This specialisation develops theoretical skills in sociology by applying them to the greatest challenges in the modern world. It considers today’s socio-economic changes from a number of different angles: economic sociology (markets and consumption); inequality; globalisation; new technologies; and the processes of political and social disputes.
  
  Aims
  
  The Sociology specialisation provides you with:

  • the ability to identify and question the social issues and challenges facing us today;
  • expertise in a variety of conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches;
  • the autonomous project management skills that are needed in many jobs in a variety of economic sectors.

  Neuchâtel’s strengths
  
  The University of Neuchâtel’s Sociology programme is remarkable for its empirical orientation, its focus on economic sociology and inequality, and the availability and approachability of its teaching staff.