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)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

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