UMass Boston

South Asian Studies Minor

Explore South Asia’s History & Diversity.

The South Asian Studies Minor is for students who want to develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of the cultures of South Asia, specifically India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

Through this program, you’ll gain cultural competency in South Asia, which is increasingly important in our globalized world, given that South Asia is home to nearly 2 billion of the world’s 7 billion people.

This is an interdisciplinary program, allowing you to explore South Asia through various lenses, including history, economics, and philosophy. Course topics include religion, gender, politics, 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

Required Course (3 Credits)

  • ASIAN 115L - Survey of South Asia 3 Credit(s)

Electives (18 Credits)

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

  • ASAMST 226 - Becoming South Asians 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 357L - Women in South Asian Religions: Gender Ideology and Practice in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam 3 Credit(s)
  • ASIAN 488L - The Idea of Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 336 - Economic Development 3 Credit(s)
  • ECON 337 - Emerging Economies in Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 364L - India since 1857 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 456 - Faith and Politics in Islam 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 375L - Indian Cinema 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 355L - Gender, Development, & Globalization 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 21 credits from seven courses, including one required course and six 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 completed at UMass Boston.
Course level: No more than two 100-level courses may be applied toward the minor.

Contact

Shaman Hatley, PhD, Asian Studies Department Chair
Wheatley Hall, 6th Floor, Room 86
617.287.6492
Shaman.Hatley [@] umb.edu

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Asian Studies Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Asian Studies department, our research, and our faculty.

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Next Steps

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