The interdisciplinary religious studies minor entails coursework concerning theories and methods in the study of religion as well as courses focused on a variety of traditions in their global and local contexts.
Prerequisite, Concentration, or Other Requirements
- The minor in religious studies consists of six courses.
- All students must take at least one course that considers critical methods in the study of religion, to be determined in consultation with a religious studies faculty advisor.
- At least two courses must be at the 300-400 level; no more than two may be at the 100 level.
- With departmental approval, two of the six courses may be from an allied department.
- At least four of the courses taken for the minor must be taken in residency at UMass Boston.
- Only one course may be taken pass/fail. Only one course may be double-counted with another major or minor.
Courses
Religious Studies Courses
RELSTY 109 Symbol, Myth, Ritual: Cultural Studies in Religion
RELSTY 111 Religions of the West
RELSTY 112L/ASIAN 112L Religions of Asia
RELSTY 115G Religion, Politics, Sex, and Violence
RELSTY 125L/HIST 125L Jerusalem: Sacred Space, Contested Space
RELSTY 220 Myth in the Ancient Near East
RELSTY 222L/ENVSTY 222L Religion and the Environment
RELSTY 233L/ASIAN 233L Introduction to Islam
RELSTY 234L/ASIAN 234L Religion and Culture in Japan
RELSTY 235L/ASIAN 235L Yoga in History, Philosophy, and Practice
RELSTY 239L/ASIAN 239L Hindu Myth and Narrative: The Epics and Puranas
RELSTY 241 Myth, History, Prophecy: The Old Testament
RELSTY 242 Christian Origins: From Jesus to Constantine
RELSTY 245 History of Christianity
RELSTY 264 Contemporary Religious Thought
RELSTY 271L/ASIAN 271L Religion and the Arts
RELSTY 272 Religion and Music
RELSTY 309 Approaches to the Study of Religion
RELSTY 310 Apocalypse and the End of the World
RELSTY 312 Mysticism
RELSTY 314L/ASIAN 314L Meditation Traditions of Asia
RELSTY 335L/ASIAN 335L Literature and the Arts of the Islamic World
RELSTY 356L/WGS 356L Faiths and Feminisms: Women, Gender, Sexuality, & Religion
RELSTY 357L/WGS 357L Women in South Asian Religions
RELSTY 358L/ASIAN 358L Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia
Courses from Allied Departments
AFRSTY 113 Islam and the African World
ANTH 223G Afro-Caribbean Religions
ANTH 264 Shamanisms: Anthropological Perspectives
ANTH 366 Anthropology of Religion
ANTH 367 Social and Cultural Perspectives on Witchcraft and Sorcery
CLSICS 271 Paganism and Christianity
CLSICS 284 Greek and Roman Mythology
CLSICS 294 Magic and Science in Greece and Rome
CLSICS 385 Greek and Roman Religion
HIST 130 Goddesses and Supergirls
HIST 413 Saints, Witches, and Heretics
HUMAN 220L/MLLC 220L Hades, Heaven, and Hell
HUMAN 255L/MDNLNG 255L Pacting with the Devil
ITAL 270 Dante's Divine Comedy
PHIL 225 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 297 Asian Philosophy
PHIL 311 Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, Christian
PHIL 381 Religious Toleration and Intolerance
PSYCH 436 Religion, Spirituality, and Health
SOCIOL 268 Religion in Contemporary Society
WGS 345 Gender, Religion, and Politics in South Asia