Kia, Ardeshir

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course Syllabi9-2014ANTY 241H.01A: Central Asian Culture andCivilizationArdeshir KiaUniversity of Montana - Missoula, ardeshir.kia@umontana.eduLet us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contactscholarworks@mso.umt.edu.Recommended CitationKia, Ardeshir, "ANTY 241H.01A: Central Asian Culture and Civilization" (2014). Syllabi. 1468.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1468CENTRAL ASIANCULTURES & CIVILIZATIONS241Peoples & Environments (A nth r apology/History)FALL 2014TR 9:40-11:00 Dr. ARDI KIA OFFICE PHONE: 243-2235 OFFICE: OLD JOURNALISM 303 OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:00 -  12:00CENTRAL ASIAN CULTURES AND CIVILIZATIONS:Throughout its long and rich history, Central Asia’s cultures and civilizations have left deep and profound impact on the societies, economies, and cultures of other states and countries. In turn, Central Asia has been affected profoundly by the cultures and civilizations of other states and countries such as China, India, Persia and Russia. Via its major urban centers, located on the Silk Road, goods, ideas, and religious beliefs travelled from Central Asia to the other states, just as Central Asians were in turn introduced to new religious beliefs and ideas, such as, Zoroasterianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Manicheanism, and Christianity.Long before Central Asia was occupied and colonized by Russians and Chinese, its overall culture was first and foremost Iranian in character, sharing and contributing enormously to the growth and enrichment of Persian and Indian cultures and civilizations to the south. From the beginning of the eleventh century, mass migration of the Turkic tribes into the Central Asia intensified, and that was another major contributing factor to the complexity of the region. Starting in the nineteenth century, the Russian and Chinese influence replaced, or began to transform the Iranian and Turkish character that had dominated Central Asia for hundreds of years. Central Asians were now included in the Russian Empire or an expanding Chinese state, later succeeded by the Soviet Empire and Communist China respectively. It is not surprising, therefore, that Central Asians are confused about identity. Throughout the Soviet period, to identify oneself as a Muslim or a Turk or an Iranian was politically dangerous, risking charges from Moscow of nationalism, which was tantamount to treason.Identity questions cannot be answered overnight, and Central Asia, whether under Chinese rule or as independent states, is currently undergoing an era of political, economic, and cultural evolution that previously had been nearly impossible during the past seventy years of Communist rule. The peoples of Central Asia will probably take decades before deciding just what their essential identity is and how it will influence their relationships with each other. Extreme political and social fluidity has marked Central Asian cultures, especially given the evolving efforts of theircitizens to determine their own cultural identities. In the meantime, Central Asian cultures remain in a state of rapid political, economic and social transition.This class will analyze the complex nature of Central Asian cultures and civilizations, and their relationships among themselves. Particular attention will be paid to the history of the relationships among these cultures and civilizations, a history that in turn affects U.S. policy interests today.Course Grade:Daily Notes 20%Midterm Writing Project 20%Final Writing Project 20%Final Exam 20%Map Project 10%Attendance & Quizzes 10%Daily Notes (Journal), includes a minimum of one page of notes on the lecture, slides and power point presentation, video and other activities in the class. Students are expected to include in their daily notes (journal) their personal feelings and thoughts at the conclusion of each class.Textbooks:1. Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Princeton University Press, 2009.2. Igor Lipovsky, Central Asia: In Search of a New Identity, Create Space, 2012.3. Ardi Kia, Central Asia: A History of Cultures, Arts and Architecture, U. of Montana, 2014.AUG 26 IntroductionAUG 28 Prehistoric Cultures of Central AsiaReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Hero and his Friends, pp. 1 - 2 8SEP 2 The People of Central Asia and Early MigrationsReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Chariot Warriors, pp. 29 -  57.SEP 4 The RoyaltyReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Royal Scythians, pp. 58 - 77.SEP 9 Zoroasterianism and the First Central Asian StatesReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Between Roman and Chinese Legions, pp. 78 - 92.11 Central Asian Cultures under Parthian and Sassanid Empires Rule Reading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Between Roman and Chinese Legions, pp. 78 - 92.16 Xiang’nu EmpireReading: Reading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Age of Attila the Hun, pp. 93 - 111.18 Kushans and Buddhism in Central AsiaReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Between Roman and Chinese Legions, pp. 78 - 92.23 The Arab Conquest of Central Asia and Coming of IslamReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The SilkRoad, Revolution, and Collapse, pp. 140 - 162.25 The Golden Age of Central Asia Civilization under Samanids Reading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Vikings and Cathay, pp. 163 - 182.30 Turkification of Central AsiaReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Turk Empire, pp. 1 1 2 - 139.2 Mongol Invasion and Destruction of Central Asian Civilizations Reading:, Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Chinggis Khan and the Mongol Conquests, pp. 183 - 203.7 The Satrap of SoghdiaReading:, Ardi Kia, “Central Asia: A History of Cultures, Arts and Architecture” Chapter 8th , pp. 53 - 64.9 The Revival of Civilization - Golden Age of Timurid Culture Reading:, Ardi Kia, “Central Asia: A History of Cultures, Arts and Architecture” Chapter 10th , pp. 71 - 76.14 Satrap of KhwarazmiaReading:, Ardi Kia, “Central Asia: A History of Cultures, Arts and Architecture” Chapter 11th, p p . 77-88.16 Bokhara, Khiva and Kokand Khanates of Central Asia:The Fall of Uzbek KhanatesMIDTERM WRITING PROJECT DUEOCT 21 Russian Colonial EmpireReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Central Asia Ride to a European Sea, pp. 204 - 231.OCT 23 Central Asia from Ivan IV to Catherine the GreatReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, The Road is Closed, pp. 232 - 262.OCT 28 Pan Turkiism and Pan Islamic MovementsReading: Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Eurasia without a Center, pp. 263 - 301.OCT 30 Russian Occupation of Central AsiaReading: Igor Lipovsky: “Central Asia: In Search of a New Identity”,Ch. 1: pp. 7 - 3 4 .NOV 6 Central Asia and Soviet Union Occupation: The Creation of Nations Reading: Igor Lipovsky, Ch. 2: The Russian Problem, pp. 35 -  70.NOV 13 The Fall of the Soviet UnionDEC 4Reading: Igor Lipovsky, Ch. 3: The Awakening of Central Asia, pp. 71 -  104.NOV 18 The New Independent States of Central AsiaReading: Igor Lipovsky, Ch. 3: The Awakening of Central Asia, pp. 71 -  104.NOV 20 Demographical Changes based on some new Economical, Political and Social Variables.Reading:, Christopher Beckwith, “Empires of the Silk Road”, Central Eurasia Reborn, pp. 302 - 362.NOV 25 Contemporary Central Asia Ecological and Environmental Issues Reading: Igor Lipovsky, Ch. 4: The Cotton Epic, pp. 105 -  128.DEC 2 Recent Issues Concerning the Central Asian Cultures since Independency Natural Gas and Latest Developments in Central Asia Reading: Igor Lipovsky, Ch. 5: the Deterioration of the Ecological Situations: Causes and Possible Consequences, pp. 129 - 156.US & Central Asia Review and DiscussionW. DEC 10th : FINAL EXAM, 10:10 -  12: 00FINAL WRITING PROJECT, & DAILY NOTES DUE.

ANTY 241H.01A: Central Asian Culture and Civilization

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ANTY 241H.01A: Central Asian Culture and Civilization

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