Advising: South Asian Studies Classes
The B.A. Minor Concentration in South Asian Studies (18 credits) offers breadth and depth on the histories, literatures, languages, politics, religions, cultures, and societies of South Asia. Within a multidisciplinary and flexible framework, students can explore South Asian Studies through classes offered collaboratively by the Departments of Anthropology, English, History and Classical Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, the Institute of Islamic Studies, and the School of Religious Studies.
Students pursuing the minor concentration build foundational knowledge through introductory coursework (6 credits at the 200- and 300-level) and progress to intermediate and advanced curriculum (12 credits at the 300-, 400-, 500-level). Language credits in Urdu-Hindi, Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Persian may also be applied, and up to six relevant transfer credits. See the e-calendar for a list of pre-approved classes; see the list below for McGill classes being offered this coming academic year that can be counted towards the minor.
Courses listed below count towards the SAS Minor Concentration
In Fall 2026, the following classes include thematic content relevant to South Asian Studies and/or are South Asia-focused and can be counted towards the minor:
- ANTH 202 Socio-Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
- HIST 209 Introduction to South Asian History (3 credits)
- ISLA 210 Muslim Societies (3 credits)
- RELG 254 Introduction to Yoga Traditions (3 credits)
- RELG 270 Religious Ethics and Environment (3 credits)
- ANTH 327 Anthropology of South Asia (3 credits)
- POLI 322 Political Change in South Asia (3 credits)
- SOCI 333 Social Stratification (3 credits)
- RELG 301 Religion Fantasy Finction (3 credits)
- HIST 481 History of Bangladesh and Pakistan (3 credits)
- RELG 544 Ethnography as Method in Religious Studies (3 credits)
- RELG 545 Ramayana: Multiple Lives (3 credits)
- RELG 551 Special Topics in Buddhism (3 credits)
Language Classes
- ISLA 251D1 Introductory Urdu-Hindi (3 credits)
- ISLA 251D1 Introductory Urdu-Hindi (3 credits)
- ISLA 241D1 Introductory Persian (3 credits)
- ISLA 241D2 Introductory Persian (3 credits)
- ISLA 342D1 Lower Intermediate Persian (3 credits)
- ISLA 342D2 Lower Intermediate Persian (3 credits)
- ISLA 582 Special Topics Reading Foundations (3 credits)
- ISLA 651D1 Urdu-Hindi for Reading (3 credits)
- ISLA 651D2 Urdu-Hindi for Reading (3 credits)
In Winter 2027, the following classes include thematic content relevant to South Asian Studies and/or are South Asia-focused and can be counted towards the minor:
- ANTH 209 Anthropology of Religion (3 credits)
- ANTH 222 Legal Anthropology (3 credits)
- ISLA 200 Islamic Civilization (3 credits)
- ISLA 210 Muslim Societies (3 credits)
- RELG 252 Hinduism and Buddhism (3 credits)
- RELG 271 Religion and Sexuality (3 credits)
- RELG 288 Introduction to Sikhism (3 credits)
- ANTH 361 Archaeology of South Asia (3 credits)
- HIST 341 Themes in South Asian History (3 credits)
- ISLA 330 Islamic Mysticism: Sufism (3 credits)
- RELG 344 Mahayana Buddhism (3 credits)
- RELG 350 Bhakti Hinduism (3 credits)
- RELG 369 Tibetan Buddhism (3 credits)
- HIST 435 Topics in South Asian History (3 credits)
- RELG 551 Special Topics in Buddhism (3 credits)
- RELG 558 Indian Tantric Traditions (3 credits)