Political Science 394CI - Central Asian Politics
Fall
2026
01
4.00
Regine Spector
TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM
UMass Amherst
19336
Machmer Hall room E-33
rspector@polsci.umass.edu
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 and Sophomore POLISCI majors & minors. Limited to senior, junior, and sophomore PoliSci majors and minors. REPS majors/minors should contact instructor for permission to enroll. PoliSci 111 recommended but not required.