1/382 - History of Central Asia

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Expected learning outcomes

The course aims to provide basic knowledge on late-modern and contemporary Central Asia, with particular reference to the currently independent Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — and, in a comparative perspective, to some areas historically and culturally connected to the region, including Western China/Xinjiang, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia.

The training objectives are divided into several levels. Firstly, the course provides general tools to orient oneself in the physical and political geography of contemporary Central Asia, in its institutional, political-diplomatic, linguistic-cultural and economic characteristics. Secondly, it introduces the history of the region, with attention to the formation of states, the transformations of local societies and the history of the peoples who have inhabited and crossed the Central Asian space. Thirdly, it delves into the modern and contemporary history of Central Asia, with particular reference to the integration of the region into the modern world through the Russian and Chinese colonial experience, the Soviet experience and the post-Soviet transformations.

At the end of the course, students will be able to orient themselves in the main historical phases of the region, recognize the cultural, linguistic and political differences within Central Asia and understand the major themes that have characterized its modern and contemporary history. They will also have acquired useful tools to independently deepen some topics through the reading and discussion of Adeeb Khalid's text, Central Asia. A New History from the Imperial Conquests to the Present, the main reference text of the course.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Students will have to demonstrate that they know how to orient themselves in the physical and political geography of the region, to know the main populations, linguistic and cultural articulations, and historical transformations in the pre-colonial, colonial, Soviet and post-Soviet periods. They will also have to be able to place the events of Central Asia within broader historical frameworks, with attention to the processes of imperial, colonial, Soviet and post-Soviet integration.

The course includes a first introductory phase, based on teaching materials provided by the teacher, including slides and handouts, dedicated to the geographical, historical and conceptual framework of the region. In the next phase, the didactic work will focus on guided reading and class discussion of Adeeb Khalid's book, Central Asia. A New History from the Imperial Conquests to the Present.

During the evaluation, the understanding and the acquisition of the knowledge required by the course and the ability to connect individual topics to the main historical and cultural issues addressed during the lessons will be verified. Oral presentations, exercises, short preparatory written papers for the exam and orientation activities in the physical and political geography of Central Asia may also be provided in an optional form.

Additional expected learning outcomes

Making judgements

Students will have to demonstrate the ability to connect the autonomous study of texts in English with the contents presented and discussed during the lessons. They will also be called upon to develop skills of analysis, synthesis and contextualization in the understanding of specific historical problems, distinguishing between chronological phases, regional areas, political actors and cultural dynamics.

Communication skills

During the course, students will have the opportunity to practice their oral and writing skills through the optional preparation of presentations and/or written papers. These activities aim to strengthen the ability to present in a clear, orderly and reasoned way themes and problems related to the modern and contemporary history of Central Asia.

Learning skills

At the end of the course, students will have become familiar with independent reading and analysis of study and in-depth texts in English. They will also have learned how to critically approach a historiographical text, select and rework relevant information and link individual topics to broader interpretative frameworks. The lessons will provide the necessary information for the reading of the reference text, the contextualization of the topics covered and, optionally, the autonomous preparation of a written paper.