Cynthia Werner - Anthropology 489-502

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Cynthia Werner
Assistant Professor

Email:	werner@tamu.edu
Phone:	(979) 847-9254
Office:	224 Anthropology

Peoples and Cultures of Central Asia Anthropology 489 (502)
Course Overview

Course Syllabus

Course Description:

This course covers the anthropological research that has been conducted in the region, and thus should provide students with the cultural knowledge necessary to understand contemporary political events in Central Asia. Geographically, this course covers the peoples and cultures of Afghanistan, post-Soviet Central Asia (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan), and western China (Xinjiang province). Course topics include colonialism and post-colonialism in Central Asia; ethnicity and nationalism; conflict in Afghanistan and the Taliban movement; gender relations in Central Asia; nomadic pastoralism; urbanization and modernization.

Course topics include colonialism and post-colonialism in Central Asia; ethnicity and nationalism; conflict in Afghanistan and the Taliban movement; gender relations in Central Asia; nomadic pastoralism; urbanization and modernization.

Requirements:

Class attendance & participation, a book review, a course journal, reading assignments, 2 exams, final exam.

Anth 489 - Course Reader

A selection of short articles, available at Notes & Quotes, 701 University Avenue, College Station, Texas.

Grades:

This course has two midterm exams and one final exam. The midterm exams count for 15% of the grade. The final exam is not comprehensive. The book review should be a critical summary of an ethnography about Central Asia. The Book Review accounts for 25% of final grade. You will turn in your journal five times during the semester. The Journal accounts for 20% of your grade. Attendance and participation are required. Class participation involves more than good attendance. You need to be prepared to discuss the course readings as listed on the schedule.

Grade scale: 100-90: A, 89-80: B, 79-70: C, 69-60: D, 59-0: F

Schedule:

WEEK	TOPIC & ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1	Introduction to the Course
	Cultural Geography of Central Asia

Week 2	Brief History of Central Asia - Part I - Before Colonialism
	Brief History of Central Asia - Part II - Russian, British and Chinese Influence Journal One Due

Week 3	Impact of Soviet Rule on Family Life and Gender
	Impact of Soviet Rule on Religion and Worldview

Week 4	Film: Revolt of the Daughters-in-Law
	Film: TBA

Week 5	Impact of Soviet Rule on Ethnic Identity and the Expressive Arts Journal Two Due
	Impact of Soviet Rule on the Environment

Week 6	*Midterm Exam One*
	Comparison with Social Change in Afghanistan during the 20th century

Week 7	Comparison with Social Change in Chinese Turkestan during the 20th century
	Film: The Kazakhs of China

Week 8	Introduction to the Post-Soviet Period Journal Three Due
	Impact of Post-Sovie Transition on National Identity and Ethnicity

WEEK	TOPIC & ASSIGNMENTS
Week 9	Impact of Post-Soviet Transition on Media and Political Participation
	Impact of Post-Soviet Transition on Rural Economies & Societies

Week 10	*Midterm Exam Two*
	Impact of Post-Soviet Transition on Urban Economies & Societies

Week 11	Impact of Post-Soviet Transition on Women Journal Four Due
	Impact of Post-Soviet Transition on Women: Case Study of Bride Kidnapping

Week 12	Afghanistan: Before and After the Soviet Invasion
	Film: Behind the Veil: Afghan Women Under Fundamentalism

Week 13	Afghan Women: Before and After the Taliban
	*NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break*

Week 14	The Future of Afghanistan Film: The Taliban and Global Terrorism, Inc. (Nazif Shahrani) Journal Five Due
	Book Review Presentations

Week 15	Book Review Presentations Book Review Paper Due

Week 16	*Final Exam*