Course Contents

 Region defined: Geo-political location, peoples and respective ethnic groups.  Pre-soviet region: A brief historical overview, Russification  Central Asia in the Soviet Union: The process of Sovietization, Political trends, Soviet Nationalities policy, Soviet Language policy, Islam in Soviet Central Asia  Post-Soviet transition: Emergence, The Revival of Islamic Identity, Ethnic issues(How and Why), Water issues and Border issues.  Reconfiguration of relationship with Russia: Interest and Policies  The USA and Central Asia: Interests and Policies  Relations with neighboring countries: China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran  Oil and Gas Resources, The Pipeline politics, CPEC and Central Asia

Course Synopsis

Course Description: Central Asia is strategically an important region with the Caspian Sea in the west, Central China in the East, Southern Russia in the North and Afghanistan in the South. Keeping in view the importance of the region, this course evaluates the concept of Central Asia as a region and its interaction with neighboring states. This course will also examine socio- religious-political and economic parameters of the Central Asian states.

Course Learning Outcomes

Objectives and Learning outcomes; This course will enable students to acquire in-depth knowledge about Central Asia as a region and will create an ability to explore the underlying similarities and differences in the political, religious and socio-economic structures of the various states of the region. This course will also inculcate critical thinking and analytical ability in the students for the understanding of the foreign relations of Central Asian states with neighboring countries and the USA as well.