Political Science 394CI - Central Asian Politics

Where is Central Asia? How have events and processes in Central Asia impacted us here in the United States? What can we learn about core political science themes ? for example governance and authoritarianism, political violence, identity politics, and economic development ? through an investigation of contemporary Central Asia? The course uses the Central Asian experience to critically interrogate the ways in which broader theories, concepts and approaches in political science resonate in Central Asia. We will investigate the themes of ethnicity and identity, authoritarianism, economic development, and political violence as they pertain to this region. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-PolSci majors.

Open to Senior & Junior POLISCI primary majors. Non major JR/SR by consent of instructor. Instructor can be reached at : rspector@polsci.umass.edu