UMass Boston

Race, Ethnicity & Literature Minor

Explore Diverse Voices & Cultures Through Literature. 

Do you want to learn about literature, history, and culture through a lens of race, diaspora, and postcolonial studies? Are you interested in African American, Asian American, Native American, and Latinx literature? Consider pursuing the Race, Ethnicity & Literature (REL) Minor. 

The REL program helps you understand different cultures so you can confront current issues head-on and work toward a more inclusive future. 

REL courses teach literature in diverse ways. The curriculum includes courses on race in Shakespeare, Latinx literature, African-American female authors, and more. Through this program, you’ll also have opportunities to participate in advanced research initiatives and prepare for your future career or graduate studies.

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

Introductory Course (3 Credits)

Complete one course from the list below.

  • ENGL 135 - Love and Death in American Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 182G - Race and Ethnicity in 20th Century US Literature 4 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 202 - Six American Authors 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 221L - Introduction to Asian-American Writing 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 223 - Latino/Latina/Latinx Literature 3 Credit(s)

Core Courses (12 Credits)

Complete four courses from the list below.

  • ENGL 344 - Boston Dreams, Boston Nightmares: Genre, Race, Ethnicity 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 349 - Topics in Latina/o/x Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 350L - Asian-American Literary Voices 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 351 - Early African-American Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 352L - Harlem Renaissance 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 354 - Race in American Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 357 - African-American Women Writers 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 411 - Postcolonial Literary Studies 3 Credit(s)

Additional English Course or Capstone (3 Credits)

Complete one additional course or a capstone.

  • ENGL 489 - Terrorism and the Novel 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including one introductory course, four core courses, and one additional course or capstone. Please note: Your program of study must be approved by the Director of Race, Ethnicity & Literature.

Grade: A minimum grade of C- is required for all minor courses.
Pass/fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: No more than one transfer course may be applied toward the concentration with the approval of the department.

Contact

English Department
Wheatley Hall, 6th Floor, Room 13
617.287.6700
English.Department [@] umb.edu

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Next Steps

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