Majors at the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University
The majors in the Boston University arts and sciences curriculum are designed to ensure you experience the challenges and rewards of studying an academic discipline or interdisciplinary subject in considerable depth. College of Arts & Sciences graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, such as medicine, law, education, technology, business and marketing, engineering, communications, and entertainment.
Major requirements usually consist of 9 to 16 required courses with a minimum of 8 courses in a single department or program, plus a varying number of courses in other closely related departments. With the help of an advisor, each student in the College of Arts & Sciences chooses and completes one of the majors described here. You may elect to double-major or to supplement your major with a minor. Dual BA/MA and BA/MS programs provide students the opportunity to earn two degrees, usually over the course of five academic years. Additional and double majors are listed under the major descriptions. For an up-to-date description of each major and minor, please view its official listing on the Boston University Bulletin.
* denotes a major or minor offered through the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, which is housed within CAS and offers a rich array of majors and minors focused on global challenges and societies.
African American & Black Diaspora Studies
This major focuses on the study of peoples of African descent, as well as the cultural products and insights gained from their experiences. The curriculum provides a broad interdisciplinary and comparative perspective to deepen understandings of Black life and the impacts of cross-cultural interactions.
African American Studies Program
Contact: Mary Anne Boelcskevy, Director of Undergraduate Studies, mboelcsk@bu.edu
American Studies
This interdisciplinary major allows students to explore the disparate yet interconnected cultures of colonial North America and the United States as seen in the ideas and actions of its people, and as expressed in a range of forms, especially culture, the arts, media, literature, and institutions.
Contact: Professor Mary Battenfeld, Director of Undergraduate Studies, mbatten@bu.edu
Anthropology
This major encourages students to approach the comparative study of human biological and cultural diversity through multiple lenses, offering specializations in health and medicine, as well as biological and sociocultural anthropology.
Contact: Professor Kimberly Arkin, Director of Undergraduate Studies, karkin@bu.edu
Professor Cheryl Knott, Director of Undergraduate Studies, knott@bu.edu
Additional major: anthropology & religion
Archaeology
This major helps students develop a global perspective and an appreciation for the complexities of cultural through the study of people, cultures, and human environments in the distant and recent past. Students participate in archaeological fieldwork and hands-on work with archaeological artifacts in laboratory and museum settings.
Contact: Professor Robert Murowchick, Director of Undergraduate Studies, remurow@bu.edu
Additional major: classics & archaeology; archaeology & environmental science (BA)
Asian Studies*
This major provides a broad and comparative perspective to deepen understanding of how Asian people, nations, states, regions, and diasporas have developed, functioned, and interacted. The major is designed to be flexible, allowing students to focus on a certain country in the region or on particular transnational issues.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Wen-Hao Tien, Assistant Director, whtien@bu.edu
Astronomy
Students in this major study the most interesting physical phenomena in the universe, from the atmospheres of planets to supermassive black holes. Astronomy majors learn to communicate astronomical information to a variety of audiences and develop technical skills and problem-solving experience.
Contact: Associate Professor Catherine Espaillat, Director of Undergraduate Studies, cce@bu.edu
Additional majors: astronomy & physics; astrophysics & space physics (BA/MA program only); geophysics & planetary sciences
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
This major provides a roadmap for students to navigate the discoveries and breakthrough technologies occurring in the biomedical and biotechnological sciences. Students build practical skills through laboratory work and engage with state-of-the-art research and experimental techniques.
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program
Contact: Associate Professor John Celenza, BMB Director, celenza@bu.edu
Ben Bradbury-Koster, Undergraduate Program Specialist, bradkost@bu.edu
Additional majors: biochemistry & molecular biology/biotechnology (BA/MA program only)
Biology
This major provides fundamental knowledge in the full spectrum of biological sciences, ranging from cell and molecular biology to ecology and conservation biology. Students in the major build laboratory and field skills and have the opportunity to focus on specific disciplines and participate in cutting-edge research.
Contact: Professor Dean Tolan, Director of Undergraduate Studies, tolan@bu.edu
Ben Bradbury-Koster, Undergraduate Program Specialist, bradkost@bu.edu
Stacy Straaberg Finfrock, Undergraduate Program Specialist, stacysf@bu.edu
Additional major specializations: behavioral biology; cell biology, molecular biology & genetics; ecology & conservation biology; neurobiology; science education
Chemistry
This major builds on a core of courses covering the principal areas of chemistry to enable students to explore the areas of chemistry that most interest them. The vast majority of students in the major participate in research, preparing them for graduate education, chemical research, or health-related fields.
Contact: Courtney Rorke, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, chemuaa@bu.edu
Additional majors: biochemistry; chemistry & physics; teaching of chemistry
Additional major specializations: chemical biology; science education
Chinese Language & Literature
This major involves the in-depth study of China’s past and present through literature, thought, and film from both an East Asian and world historical perspective. Students in the major acquire advanced linguistic skills in Chinese, knowledge of Chinese cultural and literary heritage, and cultural competence in dealing with the changing context of Chinese culture and literature.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor Yoon Sun Yang, yyoonsun@bu.edu
Cinema & Media Studies
These major offers students a comprehensive education in the history, culture, aesthetics, and theory of moving-image media from its invention in the late 19th-century to today. Students in the major acquire a humanities-based background, as well as the critical skills and technical knowledge needed to navigate today’s media landscape.
Cinema & Media Studies Program
Contact: Associate Professor Jonathan Foltz, Director, jfoltz@bu.edu
Kennedy Farrow, Senior Staff Coordinator, cims@bu.edu
Classical Studies
This major examines the literature, culture, and history of the civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Greece and Rome, and their legacy in the modern world. Students learn to read, write, and think clearly while engaging critically with ethical and moral issues.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies, nelson@bu.edu
Additional majors: ancient Greek; ancient Greek & Latin; classical civilization; classics & archaeology; classics & philosophy; classics & religion; Latin
Comparative Literature
Students in this major learn to read literature in at least two languages and to trace the transformations and travels of literary genres and texts across languages, borders, and historical periods. Comparative Literature majors also have the opportunity to interact with important literary translators and hone their own translation practices through courses in translation studies.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor Sarah Frederick, Director of Undergraduate Studies, sfred@bu.edu
Computer Science
Students in this major learn to understand and evaluate the organization, design, and construction of hardware and software systems for computing. This major prepares students to enter the workforce, training them to design and implement efficient problem solutions.
Department of Computer Science
Contact: Alice Rugoletti, Academic Program Manager, aarugo@bu.edu
Additional majors: linguistics & computer science; mathematics & computer science; physics & computer science; statistics & computer science
Earth & Environment
This major engages students in the study of the Earth with a focus on key natural and physical processes that shape our planet, from the geologic past to the present, and into the future. Students in the major can take advantage of special opportunities and contribute to the development of strategies for a sustainable future.
Earth & Environment Department
Contact: Professor James Lawford Anderson, Director of Undergraduate Studies, lawford@bu.edu
Sayaka Yamaki, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, syamaki@bu.edu
For BA/MA students: Senior Lecturer James Baldwin, Director of Master’s Programs, jbaldwin@bu.edu
Additional majors: Earth & environmental sciences (BA); environmental analysis & policy (BA); geophysics & planetary sciences (BA); Earth & environmental sciences/energy & environment (BA/MA); Earth & environmental sciences/remote sensing & geospatial sciences (BA/MA); environmental analysis & policy/energy & environment (BA/MA); environmental analysis & policy/remote sensing & geospatial sciences (BA/MA); archaeology & environmental science (BA)
Economics
This major provides students with a firm understanding of core microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, allowing them to analyze and describe the allocation of resources. Students in the major build data analysis skills and engage in in-depth study of health economics, economic history, international economics, and more.
Contact: Todd Idson, Director of Undergraduate Studies, tidson@bu.edu
Yinglin Li, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, yinglinl@bu.edu
Additional majors: economics & mathematics; economics & mathematics/economics (BA/MA program only
English
This major develops critical, linguistic, and imaginative skills required to understand literature and thrive in the modern world. Students in the major explore the power of art, learn to write effective prose, and engage with the diversity and complexities of life.
Contact: Professor Christopher Martin, Director of Undergraduate Studies, ccmartin@bu.edu
European Studies*
This major offers courses on Europe’s cultural heritage; its political, economic, military, and religious histories; its literature, music, film, and philosophy; as well as its emergence as a new kind of international form through the European Union. Students in the major develop their language skills, cultural knowledge, and international relations expertise.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Katie Steele, Director of Student Affairs and Services (Pardee School), steelek@bu.edu
French Studies
This major encompasses broad and deep study of the language, literature, history, and culture of France and the Francophone world. Students in the major are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities such as the Geddes language lab and study abroad to build cultural competence, communication, and research skills.
Contact: Professor Jennifer Cazenave, Head of French (Department of Romance Studies), jcazenav@bu.edu.
Additional majors: French & linguistics; French studies/French language & literature (BA/MA program only)
German Language & Literature
This major allows students to gain a high level of proficiency in the German language, along with an appreciation and critical understanding of the rich culture, thought, arts and history of the German-speaking world, with particular awareness of their deep connections to Europe, America and the rest of the globe.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor William Waters (Department of World Languages & Literatures), waters@bu.edu
History
This major embraces the sum of the human experience and facilitates imaginative encounters with the past, arming students with important research and professional skills. Students in the major can choose from a list of courses covering a broad range of themes, time periods, and regions.
Contact: Assistant Professor Andrew Robichaud, Director of Undergraduate Studies, andrewr1@bu.edu
History of Art & Architecture
This major introduces students to monuments and works of art worldwide. Students in the major gain visual and interpretative skills as well as an understanding of technique, materials, and the context in which works of art and architecture are made and viewed.
Department of History of Art & Architecture
Contact (History of Art): Associate Professor Gregory Williams, Director of Undergraduate Studies, ghw@bu.edu
Contact (Architectural Studies): Associate Professor S. Rebecca Martin, Acting Director of Architectural Studies, srmartin@bu.edu
Additional major: architectural studies
Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Studies
This major offers students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the causes and consequences of past acts of genocide and human rights violations and to consider human rights law as a means of violence prevention. Students will learn to probe and evaluate moral, spiritual, and ethical issues that are central to learning about, and from, genocides and human rights violations.
Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies
Contact: Jennifer Cazenave, Director of Undergraduate Studies, jcazenav@bu.edu
Independent Major
This major provides significant understanding and skills in an area of the student’s choice through a planned set of courses across various fields.
Contact: Kerry Buglio, Assistant Dean, CAS Academic Advising, kbuglio@bu.edu
International Relations*
This interdisciplinary major allows students to choose both a region of the world on which to focus their studies and a functional area, such as Foreign Policy and Security Studies or Environment and Development, that is a subfield of the larger discipline of international relations.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Mitali Dave, Senior Undergraduate Advisor, mitalid@bu.edu
Katie Steele, Director of Student Affairs & Services, steelek@bu.edu
Additional major: international relations/international affairs (BA/MA program only)
Italian Studies
This major features a deep engagement with the language, literatures, and cultures of Italy. Students in the major will achieve proficiency in spoken and written Italian, interpret Italian literature of all periods and genres, and gain knowledge of the social and cultural realities of today’s Italy.
Contact: Professor Nancy Harrowitz, Head of Italian (Department of Romance Studies), nharrow@bu.edu
Additional major: Italian & linguistics
Japanese Language & Literature
This major enables students to combine the study of human language from a variety of perspectives with the study of Japanese language, literature, and culture. Students in the major also achieve proficiency in Japanese and gain an appreciation and critical understanding of Japanese cultural and literary traditions, practices, genres, and great works.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor Keith Vincent (Department of World Languages & Literatures), kvincent@bu.edu
Korean Language & Literature
This major provides students with broad and deep knowledge and critical understanding of Korea’s rich literary and cultural traditions and contemporary culture, along with a high level of proficiency in the Korean written and spoken language. Students in the major will be equipped to engage with Korean language media as South Korea takes on an increasingly visible role in global popular culture, economy, and technology.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor Yoon Sung Yang (Department of World Languages & Literatures), yyoonsun@bu.edu.
Latin American Studies*
This major develops an in-depth understanding of the complexities and remarkable diversity of the Latin American region, combining coursework across historical, artistic, literary, and contemporary contexts. Students in the major will explore new ways to conceptualize, study, and evaluate the processes that cross and intersect national borders within and outside the region.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Katie Steele, Director of Student Affairs & Services, steelek@bu.edu
Linguistics
This major enables students to explore, at many levels and from a variety of perspectives, how language works. Students in the major examine the structure, use, acquisition, and development of the languages of the world while studying two foreign languages of their choosing.
Contact: Associate Professor Jon Barnes, Chair, jabarnes@bu.edu
Additional majors: computer science & linguistics; French & linguistics; Italian & linguistics; Japanese & linguistics; linguistics & African languages; linguistics & philosophy; linguistics and speech, language & hearing sciences; Spanish & linguistics
Marine Science
This major provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary education in the biological, chemical, geological, physical, and spatial dynamics of marine systems. Students in the major complete research-based courses in a variety of New England locations as well as the Belizean Barrier Reef.
Contact: Julia Hammer Mendez, Program Manager, hammer@bu.edu
Mathematics
Students in this major explore the role of mathematics in the nature of the physical universe and in the continuing development of our technological society. This major also leads students to an understanding of fundamental concepts in pure and applied mathematics, as well as statistics.
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Contact: Margaret Beck, Director of Undergraduate Studies, mabeck@bu.edu
Kyle Averill, Undergraduate Program Administrator, kaverill@bu.edu
Undergraduate Advising, mathadvising@bu.edu
Additional majors: Mathematics (BA, BA/MA); Economics & Mathematics (BA); Economics & Mathematics/Quantitative Economics (BA to MS only); Mathematics & Computer Science (BA); Mathematics & Mathematics Education (BA); Mathematics & Philosophy (BA); Mathematics & Physics (BA); Statistics & Computer Science (BA)
Minors Offered: Mathematics Minor; Statistics Minor: Mathematical Statistics Track; Statistics Minor: Statistical Methods Track
Middle East & North Africa Studies*
This interdisciplinary major provides a coherent grounding in the history, cultures, artistic production, and one or more of the languages of the MENA region. Students in the major can easily tailor their course plan to their particular interests and learning goals while learning more about the biases affecting scholarship on the region.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Contact: Mitali Dave, Senior Undergraduate Advisor, mitalid@bu.edu
Katie Steele, Director of Student Affairs & Services, steelek@bu.edu
Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages & Literatures
This major offers students the chance to develop an in-depth critical understanding of one or more Middle Eastern and/or South Asian literary and cultural traditions. Students in the major develop an advanced knowledge of major themes and genres in Middle Eastern and/or South Asian literature and culture in their historical contexts, including links to other world literary traditions.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Professor of the Practice Roberta Micallef (Department of World Languages & Literatures), micallef@bu.edu
Neuroscience
This major explores the nervous systems responsible for motivations, sensations, memories, and actions across human and nonhuman animals. Students in the major will develop general scientific literacy and nurture skills key to careers in fields ranging from education to clinical therapy.
Contact: Kaylyn Dorsey, Undergraduate Academic Advisor, kdorsey2@bu.edu
Yumi Kim, Program Administrator, cmk99@bu.edu
Additional major: philosophy & neuroscience
Philosophy
This major empowers students by introducing them to rigorous analysis of their ways of thinking and acting through the study of the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Students in the major will learn to assess beliefs and arguments, and to grapple with the challenges and wonder of their own lives.
Contact: Assistant Professor Marc Gasser-Wingate, Director of Undergraduate Studies, mgw1@bu.edu
Additional majors: classics & philosophy; linguistics & philosophy; mathematics & philosophy; philosophy & neuroscience; philosophy & physics; philosophy & political science; philosophy & psychology; philosophy & religion
Physics
This major introduces students to the underlying principles of physics that are an integral part of many other sciences. Students in the major have the flexibility to explore other disciplines, as well as the chance to participate in vigorous physics research.
Contact: Margaret Barch, Undergraduate Program Administrator, mbarch@bu.edu
Additional majors: astronomy & physics; chemistry & physics; physics & computer science; physics & philosophy; mathematics & physics; science education
Political Science
Using both humanistic and scientific approaches, students in this major study how political communities attempt to reconcile the claims of justice, power, liberty, and authority. Drawing on history, law, economics, psychology, sociology, and philosophy, political science is a broadly based social science that shares the traditional aims of liberal arts education while attempting to come to grips with the major public issues of our time.
Department of Political Science
Contact: Associate Professor Katherine Einstein, Director of Undergraduate Studies, kleinst@bu.edu
Psychological & Brain Sciences
This major explores the science of human behavior and mental processes, using scientific methods to describe, predict, understand, and explain human behavior. Students in the major may focus on one of three programmatic areas: brain, behavior & cognition, clinical psychology, or developmental science.
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Contact: Dr. Joanne Hebden Palfai, Director of Academic Affairs and Director of Undergraduate Studies, jpalfai@bu.edu
Religion
This major offers a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and critical approach to religion that explores how religion shapes societies, influences elections, impacts health and medical care, and even moves militaries around the globe. Students in the major gain a basic knowledge of the major world religions, their histories and texts, and an advanced knowledge of at least one religious tradition, as well as a critical understanding of major theoretical approaches to the study of religion.
Contact: Jasmin Hill, Administrative Coordinator, jashill@bu.edu
Assistant Professor April Hughes, Director of Undergraduate Studies, adhughes@bu.edu
Russian Language & Literature
This major expects students to attain a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Russian, training them to work with primary sources in Russian and to navigate challenging real-life situations. Russian is spoken by more than 250 million people in the world today, and the major is designed to open up access to these cultures and worlds.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Associate Professor Yuri Corrigan (Department of World Languages & Literatures), ycorriga@bu.edu
Science Education
In this major, students gain mastery and rigor of scientific knowledge in their chosen area of specialization, a thorough background in the sciences, and cutting-edge teacher training and professional development. This major has been crafted to ensure students receive rigorous training that will shape them into effective educators and ambassadors for the sciences.
Contact: Binyomin Abrams, Director of the B.A. in Science Education Program, abramsb@bu.edu.
Sociology
This major explores social life, social relations, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Students in the major acquire critical analytic skills in evaluating sociological research and gain substantive expert knowledge in a variety of subfields.
Contact: Matthew Dineen, Senior Program Coordinator, mdineen@bu.edu
Natalie Russo, Department Administrator, natrusso@bu.edu
Spanish
This major puts students directly in touch with the language, literature, and culture of the Spanish-speaking world, preparing them for global citizenship and international careers. Students in the major receive a liberal arts education through courses in language, literature, linguistics, culture, the arts, and related fields.
Contact: Professor Christopher Maurer, Head of Spanish (Department of Romance Studies), chmaurer@bu.edu.
Additional majors: Spanish/Hispanic language & literature (BA/MA program only); Spanish & linguistics
Undeclared
Students entering the College of Arts & Sciences without a declared major have access to dedicated individual advisors who will assist them throughout the major exploration process.
Contact: CAS Academic Advising, casadv@bu.edu
Minors at the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University
While not required, students often opt to complete a minor in an additional field of interest to broaden their skill sets and knowledge. In addition to the disciplines listed below, minors are available in all of the CAS major areas of study except for biochemistry & molecular biology and neuroscience. Also available to CAS students are a number of minors offered by BU’s professional schools and colleges.
You can view more information about all minors at the Boston University Bulletin.
African Languages & Literatures/African Studies*
This minor combines language and culture study with the study of written literature and oral traditions in the African context. In-depth knowledge of an African language of the student’s choosing is applied in courses in cultural and linguistic anthropology, sociology of language, history, government, education, literature, international relations, ethnomusicology, and folklore and oral traditions.
Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
Contact: Eric Schmidt, Assistant Director, African Studies Program, ericjs@bu.edu
Ancient Greek
Students in this minor complete at least two upper division courses as preparation for graduate work in Ancient Greek. Students can enrich their studies in other subjects through the study of Ancient Greek language and literature.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Classics Department), nelson@bu.edu
Arabic
This minor in Arabic is for students who seek to become proficient in the Arabic language and acquire a good grasp of Arab cultural trends. Students in this minor will take courses with an emphasis on Modern Standard Arabic with some exposure to the Levantine Colloquial dialects.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Professor of the Practice Roberta Micallef (Department of World Languages & Literatures), micallef@bu.edu
Classical Civilization
This minor examines the literature, culture, and history of the civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Greece and Rome, and their legacy in the modern world. Students learn to read, write, and think clearly while engaging critically with ethical and moral issues.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Classics Department), nelson@bu.edu
Core Minors
This minor offers students an integrated and interdisciplinary pathway bringing together the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences in context. The Core minor enables students to gain a liberal arts foundation for any major or field of study, while benefiting from the interconnections built into the sequence of Core texts, art, and ideas that have shaped our world.
Contact: Kyna Hamill, Director, Core Curriculum, core@bu.edu
Environmental Remote Sensing & Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This minor provides students with foundational knowledge of the methodology and uses of remote sensing. Students in the minor gain hands-on experience analyzing spatial information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), preparing them to work in a variety of environmental careers.
Earth & Environment Department
Contact: Sayaka Yamaki, Undergraduate Program Coordinator (Department of Earth & Environment), syamaki@bu.edu
Hebrew
Students in this minor become proficient in modern Hebrew and acquire a solid grasp of Israeli culture and Hebrew literature. Courses taught in Hebrew enable students to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Professor of the Practice Roberta Micallef (Department of World Languages & Literatures), micallef@bu.edu
Jewish Studies
This interdisciplinary minor allows students to engage with themes of enduring human significance, such as faith and reason, religion and ethnic identity, cultural stability and change, and migration and diaspora, in Jewish and comparative perspectives. Courses explore Jewish sacred texts and traditions, literature and thought, history, politics, and cultures across time and space.
Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies
Contact: Lecturer Ingrid Anderson, Associate Director, Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies, ewcjs@bu.edu
Latin
Students in this minor complete at least two upper division courses as preparation for graduate work in Latin. Students can enrich their studies in other subjects through the study of Latin language and literature.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Classics Department), nelson@bu.edu
Medical Anthropology
This minor explores how society, culture, and biology influence global health and well-being, the experience and distribution of illness, the prevention and treatment of sickness, healing processes, and the utilization of pluralistic medical systems. Students in the minor develop knowledge and skills that are important for thinking critically about contested definitions of health and healthcare.
Contact: Professor Cheryl Knott, Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies (Anthropology), knott@bu.edu
Global Medieval Studies
This minor allows students to gain a deeper knowledge of how the world we live in was shaped by the events, people, arts, and ideas of the late antique, medieval, and early modern periods. The program aims to enrich students’ understanding of the relations between the contemporary world and its pre-modern origins.
Contact: Associate Professor Amy Appleford, Medieval Studies Program Director, applefor@bu.edu
Modern Greek
The minor in Modern Greek introduces students to Modern Greek language, literature, and culture. Students in the minor will achieve proficiency in written and spoken Modern Greek.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Classics Department), nelson@bu.edu
Muslim Cultures/Muslim Societies*
This minor is designed to foster a better understanding of Muslim societies and to preserve their diverse heritage through an interdisciplinary approach that exposes students to Muslim societies’ historical, religious, anthropological, political, linguistic, and cultural characteristics.
Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs
Contact: Timothy Longman, Director, Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs (CURA), longman@bu.edu
Myth Studies
This minor is designed as an interdisciplinary study, in which students choose from a range of courses in the Department of Classical Studies and in other departments to create an exploration of myth that responds to their own special interests, whether it be literature, intellectual history, religion, philosophy, anthropology, or some other area.
Department of Classical Studies
Contact: Associate Professor Stephanie Nelson, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Classics Department), nelson@bu.edu
Persian Cultural Studies
This minor is for students who seek to acquire a strong grasp of Persian culture and of Iran’s historical, political, literary, and artistic importance around the world, especially in Asia and the Middle East.
Department of World Languages & Literatures
Contact: Professor Sunil Sharma (Department of World Languages & Literatures), sharma@bu.edu
Portuguese & Brazilian Cultural Studies
Students in this minor become proficient in Portuguese, the world’s sixth most widely spoken language, and to acquire a good grasp of Brazilian culture and Brazil’s historical, political, economic, literary, and artistic importance around the world. Students may choose additional courses with a focus on Brazil or another Portuguese-speaking region such as Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Sao Tome and Principe, and Equatorial Guinea.
Contact: Master Lecturer Celia Bianconi, Coordinator of Portuguese Language Program (Department of Romance Studies), cbianc@bu.edu
Public Policy Analysis
This minor provides students with foundational knowledge and skills that are then developed and applied in substantive policy areas the student is most interested in. Students in the minor receive an introduction to public policy, the politics of public policy, and basic technical and analytical skills essential to making sense of public policy.
Department of Political Science
Contact: Political Science Undergraduate Advising, poadvise@bu.edu
Religion in Science & Medicine
This minor allows students to focus on how religion, as we commonly understand it, has come to be distinct from or even in tension with scientific ways of understanding the natural world, including how we think about health and healing. The minor prepares students for the diversity of human perspectives they will encounter in their future careers, enabling them to understand their clients/patients in a more holistic way.
Contact: Jasmin Hill, Administrative Coordinator, jashill@bu.edu (Department of Religion)
Sustainable Energy
This minor allows students to complete a coherent suite of courses that exposes them to the interdisciplinary nature of energy studies. The curriculum includes the essentials of energy from the business, economics, policy, and engineering perspectives.
Earth & Environment Department
Contact: Sayaka Yamaki, Undergraduate Program Coordinator (Department of Earth & Environment), syamaki@bu.edu
Urban Studies
This multidisciplinary minor is a holistic look at what students need to pursue careers in 21st century urban centers. The minor is designed for students who are interested in applying their passions of urban topics to a curriculum that can help prepare them for careers involved in the opportunities and problems that cities present, not only in the United States but around the world.
Department of Political Science
Contact: Associate Professor Katherine Einstein, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Department of Political Science), kleinst@bu.edu
Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
This interdisciplinary minor introduces students to methods for identifying and critiquing the impact of hierarchies based on gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, and other social groupings. Courses explore gender and sexuality using tools drawn from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program
Contact: Sarah Miller, Director of Undergraduate Studies, wgs@bu.edu or sarahmil@bu.edu