Central Asian Cultures

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The class will combine primary readings (all in English) from the oral and written artistic traditions of Central Asia with secondary readings from scholars who study Central Asian cultures and their artistic heritage. Students will be guided to look for cultural information in fiction, epic, and song verses (in translation). This course will examine Central Asian literature in translation as well as the region's architectural, musical, and dance traditions in order to produce an awareness of the background and current conditions of expressive culture in the area. Although this course is not a general introduction to the history and politics of the area, historical and political themes will be examined through literature and the arts. Students are not required to have any previous knowledge of the area or its peoples. Students who do have particular interests in the area will be directed to readings which will advance their own studies.