Central Asia South Caucasus

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

The Central Asia–Caucasus area studies have produced notable research on religion, nationalism, contested borders and migration, gender, and political transformations. While the region is mostly landlocked, it is economically, politically, and socially globalized. By the end of this course, students should be able to use their knowledge of the history and politics of the region to confidently analyze the impacts of current events and recommend U.S. strategy in the region. This course begins with a review of pre- and Soviet history of the region, examining how decisions made in the 1920-1930s by Lenin and Stalin still reverberate today. The region’s recent history provides context for classroom debates on how Soviet regime compares to other colonial powers in the 20th century, the significance of national identity in everyday life, the role religion plays in politics, the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources of social resilience, and other similarly complex topics. On a geopolitical level, the course focuses on how the U.S. interests collide or align with near-peer competitors, Russia and China. Will Beijing’s Belt & Road Initiative overshadow historic Russian influence in the region? Does the United States have a role to play? If so, what should it be? Finally, the course analyzes broader issues within area studies: What does it mean to study a geographic area in today’s world? Is it effective to focus on a physical territory or on one group of people that are influenced by outside actors? The course varies between focusing on thematic issues and specific countries. Students are expected to think critically and academically about the region and to propose viable policy solutions to regional political, economic, and social problems. There are two writing assignments for the course: a response paper to a fictitious scenario on a political crisis due midterm (1,500 words) and a final, research paper (3,500 words). Research papers should build an argument, review literature on the chosen topic, and analyze primary and secondary data. Topics for the final paper should be confirmed with the instructor by class 9. Word count for both assignments exclude footnotes. In addition, students will pick a class session to discuss latest 2-3 media reports of current events.