UMass Boston

Religious Studies Minor

Gain a Deep Understanding of Religion Around The World.

Are you curious about different religions around the world and their complex histories and traditions? Consider the Religious Studies Minor at UMass Boston 

This program explores the diverse world of religion and examines the religious theories and methodologies for studying theology. The curriculum covers a wide range of course topics, including the origins of different faiths and the relationships between religion, culture, and the environment. As you engage with courses from other departments, you’ll explore the intersections of religion with other fields, such as anthropology, philosophy, and history.

This program equips you with critical thinking and analytical skills and encourages an understanding of diverse worldviews — valuable assets for many different careers and roles.

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

Critical Methods Course (3 Credits)

  • RELSTY 309 - Approaches to the Study of Religion: Theory and Method in Religious Studies 3 Credit(s)

Electives (15 Credits)

Complete five courses from the list below. With departmental approval, two of the five courses may be from an allied department.

 

Departmental Courses

  • Any RELSTY courses

Allied Department Courses

  • ANTH 223G - Afro-Caribbean Religions 3 Credit(s)
  • ANTH 366 - The Anthropology of Religion 3 Credit(s)
  • CLSICS 271 - Paganism and Christianity 3 Credit(s)
  • CLSICS 294 - Magic and Science in Greece and Rome 3 Credit(s)
  • CLSICS 385 - Greek & Roman Religion 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 413 - Saints, Witches and Heretics 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 456 - Faith and Politics in Islam 3 Credit(s)
  • MLLC 255L - Pacting with the Devil: The Faust Tradition 3 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 436 - Religion, Spirituality, and Health 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 268 - Religion in Contemporary Society 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 345 - Gender, Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including one critical methods course and five electives.

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least four courses for the minor must be taken at UMass Boston.
Course level: No more than two 100-level courses may be applied toward the minor. At least two courses must be 300-level or higher.

Contact

Jason von Ehrenkrook, PhD, Classics and Religious Studies Department Chair
McCormack Hall, 4th Floor, Room 605
617.287.6123
jason.vonehrenkrook [@] umb.edu

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Classics & Religious Studies

Learn more about UMass Boston's Classics & Religious Studies department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore the Department of Classics & Religious Studies
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Next Steps

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