Time Schedule:
Ilse D Cirtautas
NEAR E 496
Seattle Campus
Offered occasionally by visitors or resident faculty. Content varies.
Class description
The course "Central Asian Country Profiles I: 20 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, KAZAKHSTAN & UZBEKISTAN", to be followed by a similar course in Spring 2011 focusing on Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, will concentrate on significant developments in both republics since independence in 1991. Starting with an overview of the conditions both republics inherited from the Russian/Soviet colonial rule, the discussion will proceed to specific developments which shaped the national identity of Uzbeks and Kazakhs in a post-colonial setting. The course will look at the initial goals and aspirations as expressed in the national anthems, flags and constitutions and will discuss the different roads the two republics chose in reviving their traditions and values. In both republics, attention to their state languages, their history, literature, education, environment and other aspects of their culture, including Islam, constitute important areas of their efforts to regain their self-esteem. Throughout the course, Kazakh and Uzbek sources will be consulted in English translation, mostly provided by the instructor. Course requirements: One final paper. Its topic and a short abstract are due in the 6th week of classes. Regular class attendance is an absolute necessity.
Student learning goals
1) Students will learn from "local voices" (sources)how difficult and painful the transition from Russian/Soviet colonial rule, which lasted in Central Asia over 130 years, to independence has been. The post-colonial experiences of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will be compared with those of former British and French colonies.
2)Next to gaining an understanding of Russian/Soviet colonial policies, students will also learn about the mechanism of resisting the "other", i.e. the colonizer who essentially declared Uzbeks and Kazakhs as "uncivilized", disrespecting their ancient Turkic nomadic culture which is deeply rooted in the respect for their ancestors and elders.
3) Respect for the ancestors means to honor their spirits. Those who honor the spirits of their ancestors, will not disappoint them and can always appeal to them for help. Honoring the spirits of the ancestors also means that one has to know the past. As stated in Uzbek: "Those who do not know the past have no future."
Ultimately, at the end of the quarter the student will have developed a better understanding of and appreciation for the Uzbeks and Kazakhs who, like all other Central Asian Turkic peoples, had for generations to fight for their freedom and survival. That in itself could be a lesson in courage and perseverance. In addition, the course should provide students with the intellectual tools of reacting critically to the majority of western publications on Central Asia which do not even consider to present the voices of the people they are talking about.
General method of instruction
The classes will be offered in the following way: lectures on the topic of the week (see Course Outline, available at the end of Autumn quarter, final's week), followed by 10-15 minutes of discussion.
Recommended preparation
The Course Outline will have a list of readings for every week. Most books will be kept on reserve in the Odegaard Library.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: see above "Course Description" and Course Outline. Grading: will be based on 1) attendance, 2) participation in the discussions, 3) readings, 4) quality of the final paper.
see above!
