1. Concepts, Geography, Demography, Society (5.10.)

Key topics: Central Asia as Eurasian pivot or black hole? Different concepts and approaches of the region. Geographical parts of the region.

Readings:

(read at least 2 out of 3 readings)

Bruno J. De Cordier and Jeroen J.J. Van den Bosch: Defining and Delineating Central Asia from a European Perspective. European Handbook of Central Asian Studies. History, Politics, and Society (Jeroen Van den Bosch - Adrien Fauve - Bruno de Cordier), Ibidem Verlag, Stuttgart, 2021, p. 13-38.
Available: https://www.ibidem.eu/en/the-european-handbook-of-central-asian-studies-9783838215181.html

Cummings, Sally. „Understanding Central Asia: Politics and Contested Transformations“. Routledge, 2013 (Chapter 2).
Available: Jinonice library.

Clarke, Michael. „The centrality of Central Asia in world history 1700-2008. From Pivot to Periphery and Back Again?“ China, Xinjiang and Central Asia. History, transition and crossborder interaction into 21st century (Mackerass, Colin - Clarke Michael, eds.). Routledge, 2009: 21-54.
Available in the package and e-databases, libraries.

Presentation readings:

Mackinder, Halford John. "The geographical pivot of history." Geographical Journal 170.4 (2004): 298-321.
Available in the package.

Starr, S. Frederick. In Defense of Greater Central Asia. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, 2008. Available online.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. To which extent “post-Soviet”? (12.10).

Key topics: What remains from the Soviet era? Commonalities and differences.

Readings: Gorshenina, Svetlana: Orientalism, Postcolonial and Decolonial Frames on Central Asia: Theoretical Relevance and Applicability. European Handbook of Central Asian Studies. History, Politics, and Society (Jeroen Van den Bosch - Adrien Fauve - Bruno de Cordier, eds.), Ibidem Verlag, Stuttgart, 2021, p. 175-244.
Available online: https://www.ibidem.eu/en/the-european-handbook-of-central-asian-studies-9783838215181.html

alternatively:

Lewis, David. „Sovereignty after Empire: The Colonial Roots of Central Asian Authoritarianism“. Sovereignty After Empire. Comparing the Middle East and Central Asia. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2011: 178-196. + Dadabaev, Timur. "Evaluations of perestroika in post-Soviet Central Asia: Public views in contemporary Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan." Communist and Post-Communist Studies 49 (2016): 179-192. Both available in the package.

Additional readings:

Horák, Slavomír. "Turkmenistan at the Last Stage of Perestroika. Determinants of an Authoritarian Path." Cahiers d’Asie centrale 26 (2016): 29-49.
Available: https://journals.openedition.org/asiecentrale/3227

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Formal and informal power institutions in Central Asia (19.10.)