Power/Violence in Central Asia

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

The history of Central Asia—often defined as the five post-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—is rooted in a legacy of military conquest and competition for power. This course will focus on the relationship between power and violence perpetrated by state and non-state actors in Central Asia since the Russian Empire’s conquest of the region during the 19th century. During each class, we will examine specific episodes or events through a cross-disciplinary lens and analyze the contemporary relevance. In addition to studying the power dynamics of violence and conflict, we will also evaluate the manner in which these events have been documented, both by foreigners and Central Asians, through official documents, scholarly works, journalistic accounts, memoirs, documentary films and photographs, policy briefs, and fictional novels. We will challenge the stereotypes that have been projected on the region as well as the local lore that has endured.