My Interest in Social and Cultural Anthropology

The continuous evolution of empiricism and scholasticism has necessitated the need for analytical thinking and complex researches. Researchers, on the other hand, have clamoured for a need for pragmatism and well sort out models in exploring and evaluating findings surrounding the society, culture, and man who remains at the centre of it all.

At the beginning of the contemporary period, commentators who sensed a major change in empirical research did not anticipate the enormous rise in the need for interpretative science especially the inherent changes in the social, economic, and cultural spheres.

However, we must seek to constantly reflect on the words of Charles Sanders Peirce, who in his essay 'Questions concerning certain faculties' made the following assertions:

1. We have no ability for intuition, all knowledge flows from the former knowledge.
2. We have no ability for introspection, all knowledge about the inner world is produced by hypothetical reasoning on the basis of observation of other things; and
3. We cannot think without signs.

These recommendations have signalled what remains to date an impeccable source of Sociological, Cultural and Anthropological knowledge.

It is on these premises that I wish to apply for a Master's degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology in your renowned institution- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

My intention to pursue this course in your institution is hinged on my desire to consolidate my previous academic achievements. My interest in the area of Humanities and Social Science has led me through a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Imo State University, Owerri in Nigeria where I achieved a CGPA of 4.48 out of 5. In this discipline, I was exposed to the various world religions and cultures especially as it relates to politics, philosophy, economics, social change, law, society, human values and human relations among other issues. I also obtained a Master's degree in Criminology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. The nature of this discipline made for a more streamlined focus on crime, law, and society in its most practical forms. This, therefore, has amplified my desire to augment it with an academic Master's degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven which will lead me further into Doctoral research in other relevant disciplines with a substantive focus on Religion, Crime, society, culture, and man. This I believe will be an invaluable experience for me.

The practical nature of my previous degree in Criminology availed me the opportunity of embarking on internships and training focusing on the understanding of cultures, societies, and man who always longs for answers to life's unanswered questions.

For me, this will be an avenue to create meaning from the ordinary occurrences that permeate man's existence and as such provide plausible explanations and interpretations to them not without seeking ways to proffer solutions to any detrimental issues that may arise from such findings and in turn making the world a better place

An area of research that will be of particular interest to me during my study is the area of cultural analysis, religious dispositions, and relationship to crime.

My choice of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven has to do with my knowledge of the institution as one with a great desire for human development and academic excellence especially in the area of Social and Cultural Anthropology.

It is my firm belief that an education in Katholieke Universiteit Leuven will afford me an opportunity of a world-class education that will last me a lifetime. I would like to say that I am eager to gain new experiences, improve my skills and broaden my understanding of the dynamic world and I am convinced that a study of Social and Cultural Anthropology will contribute to my development as a specialist in the chosen field both at home and abroad.

I look forward to an amazing opportunity to further develop myself in the field of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Your time and consideration are greatly appreciated as you review my application to your Social Science program at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.