Course Form (revised 5/1/12)
(Instructions: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/courseform_instructionsX.aspx)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
MCLL/Russian
Prefix and Course # RUSS 171
Course Title
SRAS: Central Asia Travel Study
Please check one or more
X New course  Delete course
of the following:
Course Changes
 Course Title  Description  Learning Outcomes
 Prerequisites  Cross-listing  Other
 Credits
from _________ to________
 Number / Level from _________ to________
 Repeatability
from _________ to________
Justification / explanation (required for ALL proposals) For new courses please provide rationale for why
the course is needed, how it fits with exiting curriculum and whether there are curricular adjustments.
RUSS 171 SRAS: Central Asia Travel Study
This course is one of four other newly proposed UM/SRAS courses (see Department Summary for further
clarification about SRAS.) It is one of two supplementary Central Asian courses of the SRAS program. This
one-credit course takes full advantage of the study abroad experience and gives the students first-hand
experience of the concepts they are studying in the classroom. It also lets them research an aspect of the
culture that is of particular interest to them.
Has the Department gone through common course Review?
 Yes  No X In process
II. Syllabus/Assessment Information Required for new courses, learning outcome changes and
course change from U to UG.
Important: please spell out learning goals and learning outcomes clearly in the syllabus.
Learning Goals are a list of what students should know, understand, or be able to do at the end of
the course, including essential information and knowledge or skills relevant to the subject area.
Learning Outcomes are measures of performance or behavior that indicate, to the teacher and the
students, that students understand the material, and what criteria differentiates among different
levels of understanding. Attach syllabus at the end of the document.
III. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor:
Ona
Renner-Fahey
Phone/ email :
243-4602
Program Chair(s)/Director:
Liz
Ametsbichler,
Jannine
Montauban
Dean(s):
Chris Comer
All other affected programs:
Approve
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Anthropology
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Are other departments/programs affected by this
modification because of
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
(b) X perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
Signatory Comments (required for disapproval):
Please obtain signature(s) from the
Chair/Director of any such department/ program
(above) before submission
IV: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
X
course is interdisciplinary. (http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. The course number may be changed
at the system level.
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) SRAS: C.A. Travel Study
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U RUSS 171 SRAS: Central Asian Travel Study 1 cr. Offered autumn, spring and summer. Restricted to
students in the SRAS program. Taught at The London School in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This course
supplements the core Central Asian course of study, by gives the students first-hand experience of the
concepts they are studying in the classroom. Students also research an aspect of the culture that is of
particular interest to them.
Complete for UG courses (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment - see procedure 301.30
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convened courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific
conditions according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf .
Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
V. Change an Existing Course
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
NO
X
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether the change will eliminate the common course status.
5. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
YES
YES NO
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference procedure 301.30:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Have you reviewed the graduate
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
(syllabus must be attached)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. Is there a fee associated with the course?
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
See attached.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
RUSS 171
SRAS: Central Asia Travel Study
Course Description_____________________________________________________
Students will spend approximately two weeks traveling in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and possibly
Turkmenistan. In each country, students will visit sites of historical relevance, experience the cuisine,
music, and crafts of the culture firsthand, and have opportunities to interact with local students and
others. Students will complete a three-part multi-cultural project for this course.
Course Objectives and Outcomes_________________________________________



To gain a better understanding of Central Asia as a region;
To gain a deeper understanding of one particular cultural issue;
To use the knowledge acquired in the classroom to better observe and analyze the on-the-ground
experiences
Requirements___________________________________________________________
Students will carefully observe the infrastructure around them to make general observations about what
life on the ground is like in the countries visited. Students will also chose a topic to research further while
abroad. This topic must be declared before the student departs for the first trip and might include, for
example, women's issues, minority issues, economic equality, perceptions of freedom, etc. This topic
must be approved by your teacher and SRAS moderator. Students will be given direction on how to
tactfully pursue their research while traveling.
This project will be completed in three parts:
Part I – in 200 words or less, describe what you expect to see while traveling. Base your assumptions on
what you have studied so far in class and what you have researched independently online. This part
should be completed for each country visited one week before your departure.
Part II – in 750-1000 words, describe what you observed of the infrastructure available to the local
population of the areas you've visited. You might discuss, for example, the quality of the roads,
cleanliness of public spaces, general condition of infrastructure (including shops, restaurants, churches,
museums, etc.) of each country and compare them. In the context of any conversations that you have
had with locals (including what you've learned from your guides), what do you think the infrastructure
says about how well the government is functioning in this country and about what local sentiment is
concerning the future of the country? How does what you have observed compare with what you
expected to observe?
Part III – in 750-1000 words, compare and contrast the data collected for all countries on your chosen
subject. You are strongly encouraged to use photo and video taken while traveling to showcase your
thoughts. Keep your eyes open for scenes, infrastructure, etc. that are pertinent to your topic. See below
for sample topics and ways to develop them.
The completed paper, addressing all countries visited, is due by the end of the semester. We strongly
advise completing a rough draft within a week of completion of travel.
Grading_______________________________________________________________
Broad descriptions of grading criteria:
A: The paper demonstrates an excellent grasp of the material and presents a compelling and
thoughtful argument. There are no factual errors, and few if any proofing errors (grammar, spelling
errors). The organization of the paper is superlative. It is very clear that many hours and many drafts
have gone into this paper to make an insightful and persuasive work.
B: The paper clearly and completely makes an argument. There are at worst very minor factual errors.
The organization of the essay is good, but occasionally wanders. The conclusion seems reasonable and
the argument is clear. There are only a few proofing errors. I have few questions, and it’s clear that the
student has spent time thinking through the problem and is very familiar with the subject he/she has
discussed. The student clearly put time into conceiving and executing the paper, and wrote at least
one draft.
C: The essay is competent. The thesis is a valid one, but perhaps it’s weakly argued, or there are some
obvious flaws in the research or coherence of the claim. The minimum word count has been reached.
The organization can be followed, but perhaps only with difficulty. A few more hours would have done
this paper some serious good.
D: Weak paper. Weak thesis, poorly argued. Lots of proofing errors. You probably conceived and wrote
this in a matter of a few hours.
F: You didn't turn anything in. You turned in a plagiarized text. Why did you turn this in?
Sample Topics_____________________________________________________
1. Religion in Central Asian
Have you witnessed a religious ceremony in Central Asia? Describe what you saw and how it made you
feel. What do you think you can tell about the worshipers from the ceremony they participated in? How
do you feel about the architecture of churches in Central Asia? How might it reflect and/or influence the
way that Central Asians believe? Do you feel Central Asians are generally religious? Why or why not? Do
you think that Central Asians view religion differently than the people from your own culture? Has
religion played an important part in Central Asian history and making Central Asia the way that it is
today?
2. Business in Central Asia
When you go to a business in Central Asia (café, shop), how does it feel different from what you are used
to back home? Can you think of something in Central Asian history that might explain this difference?
What do you think Central Asians expect when they enter a shop or café in terms of product, quality,
service, and price. Do you think the regulatory environment in Central Asia is better or worse than that in
your own country? Why? Do you notice that some things are cheaper in Central Asia or more expensive?
Can you theorize why they might be cheaper or less expensive (or ask a Central Asian for their thoughts)?
3. Politics in Central Asia
Do you think that young Central Asians are generally interested in politics? What about older Central
Asians? What are the major political issues that resonate with Central Asians? What political philosophies
resonate with the Central Asians that you've met? What do Central Asians expect from their government?
How is politics different in Central Asia than in your own country? Can you think of historical or other
reasons for why Central Asian politics is the way that it is?
4. History and Central Asia
How do you think Central Asians feel about their history? How do Central Asians feel about their
monarchist and communist past? Do you think that Central Asians know a lot about their history? How
much history can you see around you and how do you think that affects the way that Central Asians might
think about their present and future? How has Central Asian geography helped determine Central Asian
history – in terms of Central Asia's neighbors, its weather, soil, wars, etc?
5. Women and Men
Do you think that the relationships between men and women in Central Asia are generally worse or
better than in your own country? Do you think that you could marry a Central Asian? How do most
Central Asians feel about feminism? Do you think that Central Asians generally believe that men and
women are equal? What do you think the way that men and women dress says about their place in
Central Asian culture? How does dating differ in Central Asia?
6. Minorities
How do Central Asians feel about foreigners? What do Central Asians think about minorities in their
country? What might influence their opinion (the minority's grasp of Central Asian culture, the Central
Asian language, what profession the minority holds in Central Asia?) Do the Central Asian concepts of
"nashi" and "chuzhie" necessarily make Central Asians predisposed to xenophobia? What historical
arguments can you make to explain the current status of minorities in Central Asia?
7. Wealth
Do you think there is a "Central Asian Dream" like the American Dream? How do Central Asians think that
wealth is made today in their country? How do Central Asians think about people who are much
wealthier than they are? About people who are much poorer than they are? Do they resent "the 1%"?
8. Charity and Civil Society
What do Central Asians think about charities and non-profits? Who do they think should be responsible
for those who cannot take care of themselves (orphans, elderly, sick, etc.)? Do you think that Central
Asians think that they can change or better society by their own actions? Do you think that Central
Asians’ concept of how family and society should function influences how they think about this?
9. Cities and Travel
How do you feel when walking the streets of a Central Asian city? How does it differ from your home city?
How do you think that the "feel" – the colors, smells, space, buildings, parks, etc. of the city you are in
affects the mindset of its inhabitants? Do you think the city is well run from a governmental point of
view? Is it a convenient city? Why or why not? Have you been to multiple Central Asian cities? How do
they (and their inhabitants) differ? How did you travel between them? What did you think of your
experience travelling? Did you meet anyone while traveling? Do you think that travel has a special place
in Central Asian culture?
10. Education
What are the major differences between education in your home country and the style of education you
experience in Central Asia? If you have met Central Asians who have studied abroad, what are their
thoughts about what they experienced abroad? What do you think works in Central Asia? What should be
changed? How highly, if at all, do you think that most Central Asians value education?
11. Youth
What special problems face Central Asia's youth today? Do you think that they see their future in Central
Asia, or outside Central Asia? Do you think they are generally hopeful for their country's future? For their
own? What do youth do for fun in Central Asia – how does this differ from youth culture in your own
country?
12. Emotions
Do you think that Central Asians display emotions differently? Are Central Asians more or less likely to
openly display certain emotions? What is the role of humor in Central Asia? Have you encountered
humor that seemed normal/acceptable to the Central Asians around you but which was
strange/unsettling to you? Can you think of historical reasons why emotions in Central Asia might be the
way they are?
13. Pop Culture
Have you seen any contemporary Central Asian movies, heard modern Central Asian songs, or
experienced pop (mass produced) Central Asian culture in other ways? What did you think of your
experience? How do most Central Asians seem to feel about this type of culture? How does it compare to
the pop culture in your own country? Do you think that the pop culture in Central Asia is indicative of
global pop culture – or has it been "localized" significantly?