UMass Boston

Native American & Indigenous Studies Minor

Enhance Your Understanding of Native American & Indigenous Communities.

Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) is a rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary field. The NAIS Minor program at UMass Boston explores the historical and contemporary issues that impact Indigenous communities in the US and around the world.

As a student in this program, you’ll have access to resources and opportunities to learn more about local, national, and international issues in Indigenous communities — including guest lectures, film screenings, and other events.

The skills and knowledge you learn from this minor apply to a number of different majors and fields, such as anthropology, political science, sociology, cultural studies, and more. 

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)

  • NAIS 278L - Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies 3 Credit(s)

History Course (3 Credits)

  • HIST 262L - American Indian History to 1783 3 Credit(s)  OR
  • HIST 263L - Modern American Indian Social and Political History: From the American Revolution to Standing Rock 3 Credit(s)

Practicum Course (3 Credits)

  • NAIS 488 - Working for Native Communities: Internship/Directed Study 3 Credit(s)

Electives (9 Credits)

Take three courses from the list below.

  • ANTH 106 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 220G - Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Change in Amazonia 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 224G - The Rise and Fall of the Maya 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 263 - Environmental Anthropology 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 264 - Shamanisms: Anthropological Perspectives 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 270L - Native Peoples of North America 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 273 - Peoples and Cultures of Mesoamerica (Mexico and Guatemala) 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 274 - Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 361L - Indigenous Film and Critical Visual Studies 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 425 - Contemporary Issues in Anthropology 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 476L - Current Issues in Native America 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 185 - Mascots, Monuments, Massacres: Native American History in the Public Sphere 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 256L - Skyscrapers and Shantytowns: Latin America since 1800 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 262L - American Indian History to 1783 3 Credit(s)
  • NAIS 262L - American Indian History to 1783 3 Credit(s)
  • NAIS 263L - Modern American Indian Social and Political History: From the American Revolution to Standing Rock 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 270 - Native American Women in North America 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 295L - Introduction to Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 360 - Gender, Culture, and Power 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including one introductory course, one history course, one practicum course, and three electives.

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

Contact

Christopher Fung, PhD, NAIS Program Director
McCormack Hall, 4th Floor, Room 436    
617.287.6845     
Christopher.Fung [@] umb.edu

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Next Steps

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