This course covers a predominantly Muslim region, which has recently come to prominence in world politics since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its focus is on the national politics and regional and international relations of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with references to other players' role in the region. The course concentrates on selected themes concerning political and social change, economic modernisation and regional security against the backdrop of sectarian, ethnolinguistic and ideological diversity, as well as outside interference and geopolitical rivalry.

1. Feel familiar with the region, its peoples, geography, culture, and the place in the world

2. Reflect on, and discuss the key concepts, themes, and schools of thought pertaining to politics and international relations of Central Asia

3. Analyse historical and current developments in the region, using these intellectual tools

4. Locate and collate materials on a topic relevant to Central Asian studies, and present your findings in a coherent manner on paper and orally.

One 3,000 word essay (50%), and either a two-hour examination, or a 2,000 word essay (40%) and tutorial assessment (based on attendance, reading, performance) (10%).

Two hours of lectures and a one-hour tutorial per week for 11 weeks.

Tutorials will start on the second week of the semester.

Students can expect to undertake 6-8 hours of reading and independent research per week outside of class time, in preparation for tutorials, submission of the major essay, and the final exam.

Two first-year courses in Political Science, or with the permission of the lecturer.

There is no prescribed text for this course. However, the following three books (which are also available at the Co-Op bookshop on the campus) can serve as solid background reading:

Svat Soucek                 A History of Inner Asia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Amin Saikal                  Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle and Survival, London and New York: I. B. Tauris, 2004.

This volume contains a wealth of useful historical, statistical and sociological data related to the five newly independent states in Central Asia:

Giampaolo R. Capisani (ed.)     The Handbook of Central Asia. A Comprehensive Survey of the New Republics. London: I.B. Tauris, 2000.