This module is not currently running in 2022 to 2023.
This course is concerned with the ethnography of Central Asian societies ranging from Pakistan through Central Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and ex-Soviet Central Asian nations such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan) to the Caucasus. It briefly introduces the connected histories of civilisations and Turco-Persian cultures in this region, and in particular modern fieldwork, specifically growing academic scholarship following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing upon ethnographies of southern Siberia, Central Asia, Inner Asia and the Caucasus this course will provide an overview of recent debates on issues such as religion, nationalism, migration, everyday economics, borders and environmental issues, as well as on local responses to the pervasive post-Soviet transformation of the region. The course argues that this relatively new field of regional anthropological research offers fresh and inspiring perspectives on long-standing anthropological debates such as morality, exchange, state, religion and imperial and colonial history.
Indicative topics include: Imperialism and Modernity; Cold War legacies and Post-Socialism; Borders, mobility and migration; Markets and economy; Religion, Secularism and Identity; Development and Environmental Issues.
Total contact hours: 20
Private study hours: 130
Total study hours: 150
MA Social Anthropology and associated programmes
Critical Book Review (2000 words) (35%)
Individual Research Project (3000 words) (65%)
Reassessment methods: Like for Like
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Dale Eickelman 2002. The Middle East and Central Asia: an anthropological approach (4th ed.) Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.
Dale Eickelman 1999. Russia's Muslim Frontiers. Indiana University Press.
Caroline Humphrey 2002. The unmaking of Soviet life: everyday economies after socialism. Ithaca; London: Cornell University Press.
Charles Lindholm 2002. The Islamic Middle East: tradition and change. Blackwell Publishing.
Mathijs Pelkmans 2006. Defending the Border: identity, religion and modernity in the Republic of Georgia. Cornell University Press.
Jeff Sahadeo and Russell Zanca, eds. 2007 Everyday life in Central Asia. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Understand the cultural diversity of Central Asia
8.2 Demonstrate knowledge of the countries of the region and their important ecological and geographical features
8.3 Demonstrate knowledge of the principal ethnic groups and their livelihoods, kinship organisation, gender relations, and epistemologies
8.4 Appreciate how ethnography contributes to theory
8.5 Discuss key issues and debates in the Central Asian ethnographic literature
8.6 Critically discuss these groups and their communities in terms of social changes in the region
8.7 Rethink some of their own cultural assumptions in terms of the experience of native peoples of Central Asia
8.8 Understand how anthropologists form questions about ethnographic material.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Use (and combine effectively) written, oral and visual modes of communication
9.2 Read, comprehend and assimilate texts written for a professional audience to solve problems
9.3 Work effectively within a small group
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
