I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 1/27/11)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
X
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Anthropology/Central Southwest Asian Course #
241
Studies
Course Title
Central Asian Cultures and Civilizations: Peoples and Environments
Prerequisite
none
Credits
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Ardi Kia
Phone / Email X2235
Program Chair Gil Quintero
Dean
Chris Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Reason for Gen Ed
inclusion, change or
deletion
R x Change
Remove
en
e
w
This course was designated a ‘nonwestern’ course originally, but
lost the designation in 2007 under the GE reform. It is being
submitted to gain the Indigenous and Global designation because
it covers a comparative survey of Central Asia.
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1) Course familiarizes students with values,
histories and institutions of several societies
through comparative approaches.
1) Students are introduces to the values, histories
and institutions of Central Asian societies from
interdisciplinary sources and perspectives
(anthropological, historical, religious, social and
cultural).
2) Course addresses both indigenous peoples of
Central Asia from prehistory to present, as well
as more recent interaction with the former Soviet
Union.
2) Course addresses longstanding tenure of
a particular people in a geographic region,
their histories, cultures, and ways of living,
as well as their interaction with other
groups, indigenous and nonindigenous.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1) place human behavior and cultural ideas into Students compare and contrast the societies
a wider framework, and enhance their
and cultures of Central Asia in relation to
understanding of the complex interdependence
surrounding empires and nations, as well as
of nations and societies and their physical
in relation to their unique physical
environments.
environments.
2) demonstrate an awareness of the diverse ways Students become acquainted with the
humans structure their social, political and
diversity of cultures and societies in the
cultural lives;
regions of Central Asia.
3) analyse and compare the rights and
Students analyze the 20th century conditions
responsibilities of citizenship in the 21st century of Central Asian peoples in relation to the
internal colonialism of the former Soviet
Union, as well as the new independent
nation-states of the past two decades.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
None required, course has no pre-requisites and is lower division foundational course for
CSWA Major and Minor
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
ANTY/HSTA/CSWA 241/841
CENTRAL ASIAN CULTURES & CIVILIZATIONS
(Peoples & Environments)
Dr. ARDI KIA
Autumn 2012
OFFICE PHONE: 243-2235
TR 9:40-11:00 A.M.
OFFICE: STONE HALL (OLD JOURNALISM) 303
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:00 – 12:00
Course Description
Throughout its long and rich history, Central Asia’s cultures and civilizations have left deep and profound impact
on the societies, economies, and cultures of other states and countries. In turn, Central Asia has been affected
profoundly by the cultures and civilizations of other states and countries such as China, India, Persia and Russia.
Via its major urban centers, located on the Silk Road, goods, ideas, and religious beliefs travelled from Central
Asia to the other states, just as Central Asians were in turn introduced to new religious beliefs and ideas, such as,
Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Christianity.
Long before Central Asia was occupied and colonized by Russians and Chinese, its overall culture was first and
foremost Iranian in character, sharing and contributing enormously to the growth and enrichment of Persian and
Indian cultures and civilizations to the south. From the beginning of the eleventh century, mass migration of the
Turkic tribes into the Central Asia intensified, and that was another major contributing factor to the complexity of
the region. Starting in the nineteenth century, the Russian and Chinese influence replaced, or began to transform
the Iranian and Turkish character that had dominated Central Asia for hundreds of years. Central Asians were now
included in the Russian Empire or an expanding Chinese state, later succeeded by the Soviet Empire and
Communist China respectively. It is not surprising, therefore, that Central Asians are confused about identity.
Throughout the Soviet period, to identify oneself as a Muslim or a Turk or an Iranian was politically dangerous,
risking charges from Moscow of nationalism, which was tantamount to treason.
Identity questions cannot be answered overnight, and Central Asia, whether under Chinese rule or as independent
states, is currently undergoing an era of political, economic, and cultural evolution that previously had been nearly
impossible during the past seventy years of Communist rule. The peoples of Central Asia will probably take
decades before deciding just what their essential identity is and how it will influence their relationships with each
other. Extreme political and social fluidity has marked Central Asian cultures, especially given the evolving efforts
of their citizens to determine their own cultural identities. In the meantime, Central Asian cultures remain in a state
of rapid political, economic and social transition.
Objective: This class (ANTH/HIST/CSWA 241/841) will analyze the complex nature of Central Asian cultures
and civilizations, and their relationships among themselves. Particular attention will be paid to the history of the
relationships among these cultures and civilizations, a history that in turn affects U.S. policy interests today.
Course Grade: Grades are determined by the following forms of assessment:
Daily Notes
20%
Midterm Writing Project
20%
Final Writing Project
20%
Final Exam
20%
Map Project
10%
Attendance
10%
100%
Daily Notes (Journal), includes a minimum of one page of notes on the lecture, slides and power point
presentation, video and other activities in the class. Students are expected to include in their daily notes (journal)
their personal feelings and thoughts at the conclusion of each class.
Readings: 1. Olivier Roy, “The New Central Asia”, University of N. Y. Press, 2000.
2. FAC-PAC: A. Richard N. Frye, “The Heritage of Central Asia”, Princeton, 1998. B. Academy of Sciences of
USSR/Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, “Nomads of Central Asia”, University of Washington Press,
1990.
3. Ardi Kia, “Cultures of Central Asia: Prehistory & Early History,” the First Monograph in Contributions to
Central & Southwest Asian Studies Series. University of Montana: Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center/
Anthropology Department, Spring 2012.
SYLLABUS
AUG
28
Introduction
AUG
30
Prehistoric Cultures of Central Asia
Reading: (FAC-PAC) Vladimir N. Basilov, “Nomads of Eurasia”,
The Culture of Eurasian Peoples, Prehistoric Times through the Middle
Ages, pp. 1-18.
SEP
4
Scythian or Saka
Reading: (FAC-PAC) Larisa R. Pavlinskaya, “Nomads of Eurasia”,
The Scythians and Sakians, Eight to Third Centuries B.C., pp. 19-38.
SEP
8
The People of Central Asia and the First Central Asian States
Reading: Ardi Kia, “Cultures of Central Asia: Prehistory & Early History,” Central Asia in
Prehistoric Time, pp. 3 – 10.
SEP
11
Zoroastrianism
Reading: Ardi Kia, “Cultures of Central Asia: Prehistory & Early History,” History of Central
Asia: The Bronze Age, pp. 11 - 16.
SEP
13
Xiang’ nu Empire
Reading: (FAC-PAC) Evgenii I. Lubo-Lesnichenko, “Nomads of Central
Asia”, The Huns, Third Century B.C. to Sixth Century A.D., pp. 41-54.
SEP
18
Central Asian Cultures under Parthian and Sassanid Empires.
Reading: Ardi Kia, “Cultures of Central Asia: Prehistory & Early History,” History of Central
Asia: The Bronze Age, pp. 16 - 41.
SEP
20
Achaemenid Empire & States of Central Asia
Reading (FAC-PAC) Richard N. Frye, “The Heritage of Central Asia”,
Achaemenid Centralization, pp. 75-96.
SEP
25
People of Central Asia under Kushanids.
Reading: (FAC-PAC) Richard N. Frye, “The Heritage of Central Asia”
The Buddhist East, pp. 159-166.
SEP
27
The Arab Conquest of Central Asia
Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, History & Identity, pp. 1 – 10.
OCT
2
Golden Age of Samanids
Revival of Central Asia Civilization
OCT
4
Turkification of Central Asia
Reading: (FAC-PAC) Sev’yan I. Vainshtein, “Nomads of Central Asia”,
The Turkic Peoples, Sixth to Twelfth Centuries, pp. 55-66.
OCT
9
Mongol Invasion
Devastation & Destruction of Central Asian Civilization
OCT
11
Revival of Civilization - Golden Age of Timurid Culture
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, History & Identity, pp. 10 - 24.
OCT
16
Russian Colonial Empire & Fall of Uzbek Khanates
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, The Russian Conquest
pp. 25-34.
OCT
18
Pan Turkiism and Pan Islamic Movements
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, Reform Movements
Among the Muslims of the Empire, pp. 35-49.
MIDTERM WRITING PROJECT DUE
OCT
23
The Invention of Ethnicities
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, The Sovietisation of
Central Asia, pp. 50-84.
OCT
25
Kolkhoz & Territorialisation
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, The Recomposition of
Solidarity Groups during the Soviet Era, pp. 85-100.
OCT
30
Moscow & Soviet Cadre Policy
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, Political Factionalism
and National Affirmation During the Soviet Era, pp. 101 - 108.
NOV
1
Regionalist Factions & the State Apparatus
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, Political Factionalism
and National Affirmation During the Soviet Era, pp. 109 - 124.
NOV
8
The Rise of Nationalism: The Divorce with Moscow
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, From Nationalism to
Independence, pp. 125-130.
NOV
13
Declarations of Independence & Struggle fro Power
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, From Nationalism to
Independence, pp. 130 – 142.
NOV
15
Religions of Central Asia & Islam
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, Islam, pp. 143-148.
NOV
20
Religions of Central Asia: Sufism
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, Islam, pp. 149-160.
NOV
27
The Invention of the Nation-State
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, From Independence to
Emerging Nationalism, pp. 161 – 172.
NOV
29
Nationalism & Ethnicity: Recent Issues Concerning the Central Asian Cultures
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, From Independence to
Emerging Nationalism, pp.173 - 189.
DEC
4
United States & Central Asia
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, A New Geo-Strategic
Context, pp. 190 - 195.
DEC
6
New States & Relations with Russia: Delinking?
Reading: Olivier Roy’s “The New Central Asia”, A New Geo-Strategic
Context, pp. 195 - 200.
1. FINAL WRITING PROJECT, &
2. DAILY NOTES DUE.
FINAL EXAM: 10:10-12:00 (NOON), MONDAY, DEC. 10TH
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.