Master of Arts in International Relations & Religion

The innovative two-year Master of Arts in International Relations and Religion (IRRN) degree program is a joint offering of the departments of International Relations and Religion, in cooperation with the Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs.

The IRRN program emphasizes both the intellectual and policy aspects of the role of religion in international relations. The course offerings underscore the need for a comparative, interdisciplinary approach to the study of religion and world affairs, and the degree program offers students the opportunity to develop theoretical, functional, and/or regional expertise in the examination of religion’s role in sub-state, inter-state, and transnational phenomena. The curriculum draws on courses in the departments of Religion and International Relations, as well as the School of Theology and other social science and humanities departments throughout the University.

The degree is designed for students interested in both academic and policy careers that deal with the intersection of religion and world affairs. Particularly suitable undergraduate majors include international relations, political science, theology, and religion; related disciplines such as history, sociology, anthropology, and economics also provide a good background. Students and public policy professionals working in the areas of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peace studies, and mass media are also encouraged to apply to the MA degree program. However, there is no firm requirement that applicants have pursued specific majors or career paths if they can demonstrate a clear interest in and ability to complete the program.

To see a progress report for the IRRN program, go to the forms page.

Requirements of the Program

  • Four required core courses
  • Four non-overlapping courses in each of two chosen tracks (listed below). One track must focus on a religious tradition and the other must be an IR functional or regional track.
  • One 4-credit Master’s Paper workshop leading to completion of a substantial, final research or policy paper.
  • Three elective courses
  • Master’s Paper and an Oral Defense of that paper
  • Passing grade on Foreign Language examination

Required Courses

Core Courses:

  • GRS IR 701 Introduction to International Relations
  • CAS IR/RN 561 The Multiple Modernities of Religion and International Relations
  • GRS RN 795 Humanities Approaches to Religion
    OR GRS RN 796 Social Science Approaches to Religion
  • CAS AN/IR 563 Public Religion and Politics Across Cultures

Master’s Paper Workshop:

  • GRS IR 799 Master’s Paper Workshop

Track Courses

Students choose an International Relations Track (four courses) and a Religious Tradition Track (four courses). Some classes appear as an option under more than one track; however, students may not double-count any classes. Rather, students must take four non-overlapping courses for each track.

International Relations Track

IRRN students choose their IR Track from the same track options available to students in the MA in International Affairs degree program. Students may choose either a functional or a regional track.

Functional Tracks

Regional Tracks

Religious Tradition Tracks

The Religious Tradition Tracks are intended to be interdisciplinary. Students must take courses from at least two departments in fulfilling their Religious Tradition Track. The track options are:

Elective Courses

Students take three elective courses. They may take any IR class at the 500 level or above, any course from either the IR or Religious Tradition tracks, or may choose from the list below.

GRS AN 568 Symbol, Myth, and Rite
GRS AN 355/755 Religious Fundamentalism in Anthropological Perspective
GRS AN 384/784 Anthropological Study of Religion

GRS PH 646 Philosophy of Religion

GRS RN 687 Anthropology of Religion
GRS RN 694 Topics in Philosophy and Religion
GRS RN 695 Topics in Philosophy and Religion
GRS RN 696 Topics in Philosophy and Religion
GRS RN 697 Topics in Philosophy and Religion
GRS RN 698 Topics in Philosophy and Religion
GRS RN 752 Topics in Religious Thought
GRS RN 759 Topics of International Relations and Religion
GRS RN 760 Sociology of Religion
GRS RN 761 Sociology of Religion and Sociology of Knowledge
GRS RN 765 Religion and Society
GRS RN 768 Symbol, Myth, and Ritual
GRS RN 750 Philosophy of Religion
GRS RN 743 Problem of Evil
GRS RN 772 Topics in Religious Thought

GRS SO 822/STH TR940 Seminar in Religion and Social Change
GRS SO 812/STH TR964 Seminar in Religion and Social Identity
GRS SO 765/STH TR802  Religion and Society
GRS SO 811  Sociology of the Nonprofit Sector

STH TH 824 Religion, Ethnicity and Conflict

Language Requirement

All students in the IRRN program must fulfill the Foreign Language requirement. More information about this requirement can be found here.

Master’s Paper and Comprehensive Examination Requirement

All students in the IRRN program must fulfill the IR Department’s requirement of a Master’s Paper and an Oral Defense of that paper. More details on the MA Paper can be found here and here.

The IR 799 course, taken in the second year of study, will assist students in developing and writing their MA Paper.

Boston Theological Institute

The Boston Theological Institute (BTI) is a consortium of nine Boston area Theology schools that enables students of member schools to register for classes at any of the member schools. BU’s participation in the BTI opens a wide range of classes to BU students in the IRRN program. IRRN students may fulfill their elective coursework with classes taken through the BTI.

Please note that the BTI provides students with access to Theology courses only, not to all courses taught at a university. Additionally, students may take no more than 50% of their coursework though the BTI in any semester. More information on the BTI, as well as course listings, can be found at www.bostontheological.org/ .