UMass Boston

Human Rights Minor

Develop Skills & Tools That Drive Social Change. 

The Human Rights Minor at UMass Boston is a diverse interdisciplinary program open to students from any academic major. Part of the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, this program gives you a solid understanding of human rights concepts, international conventions, and evolving frameworks. Course topics include critiques of human rights systems, cultural influences, and global gender considerations.

This program empowers you to advocate for social justice and create more inclusive societies. After completing this minor, you’ll be well-prepared for diverse career opportunities in law, international relations, economics, social policy, or international development.

 

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Core Courses (9 Credits)

  • WGS 110 - Gender in Global Context 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 295L - Introduction to Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 401 - Advanced Topics in Human Rights 3 Credit(s)

Electives (9 Credits)

Take three electives from the list below. At least two courses must be 300-level or higher.

  • CINE 412L - Gender, Human Rights, and Global Cinema 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 346 - Women & Gender in African History 3 Credit(s)
  • LABOR 315 - Labor, Community, and Social Justice Organizing 3 Credit(s)
  • LABOR 335 - Globalization and Labor 3 Credit(s)
  • LATAM 270 - Human Rights in Latin America 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 450 - Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 252 - Modern Political Thought (D) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 265L - World War II Internment of Japanese Americans (A) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 332 - Civil Liberties in the United States (A) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 369 - Politics of the Middle East (C) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 404 - The Politics of the Arab-Israeli Conflict 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 406 - Politics of Food Security 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 451 - Queer Theory & Politics 3 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 403 - Gender, Culture, and Health 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 230 - Race, Incarceration, and Deportation 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 268 - Global Bodies: Sex, Families, and Reproductive Rights in Transnational Perspective 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 270 - Native American Women in North America 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 345 - Gender, Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 355L - Gender, Development, & Globalization 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 360 - Gender, Culture, and Power 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 412L - Gender, Human Rights, and Global Cinema 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including three core courses and three electives.

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least six courses applied toward the minor must be completed at UMass Boston.

Contact

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department
Wheatley Hall, 5th Floor, Room 4A
617.287.6780
Womens.Studies [@] umb.edu

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions