Introduction to Central Asia 3 ECTS
This course opens 15.6.2026 at 9:00 Finnish time!
In summer term 2026 this course is open only to registered students of the member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies (UTU, TAU, JYU + JAMK and TAMK). If you are a student of these institutions, register in your own study registry Peppi/Sisu/Pakki by 30.6.2026. Find the course from "cross-institutional courses", expect for UTU students (regular UTUPeppi).
After registration you will get an email invitation to the course area.
Summer study info:
- Registration 20.5. – 30.6.2026
- Study period: 15.6. – 31.7.2026
From Autumn 2026 onwards, this course will be open to all learners.
Course content:
This course provides a bachelor-level introduction to contemporary Central Asia, with a focus on the five post-Soviet states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It examines the region’s historical trajectories, political and socio-economic transformations, and its evolving role in regional and global contexts.
Students will engage with key analytical frameworks in Central Asian studies and develop an understanding of the structural factors shaping the region since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Particular attention is given to state formation, governance, societal change, and international relations.
The course is structured into five thematic modules:
1. Introduction to the region – historical background, geography, and conceptual approaches
2. Country profiles –overview of the five Central Asian states
3. Political developments – institutions, governance, and regime dynamics
4. Society – social structures, identities, and contemporary challenges
5. Global context – international relations, regional cooperation, and external influences
The course begins with an introduction to Central Asia’s historical background, post-1991 transformations, geography, population, and everyday life, while also engaging with contested definitions of the region and efforts to decolonise the concept. It then offers country profiles, covering political systems, demographic structures, and key development indicators.
Subsequent modules examine political dynamics—such as authoritarian governance, nationalism, media, civil society, and conflict—alongside broader political economy themes. The course also explores societal change, including migration, religion, gender, digital media, and nation-building processes. Finally, it situates Central Asia within a global context by analysing its international relations, foreign-policy strategies, regional cooperation, and interactions with major external actors including China, Russia, the EU, Turkey, and the United States.
The course has been developed in collaboration with Finnish experts on Central Asia who are members of the Central Asia network operating under the Finnish International Studies Association. The core team consists of Associate Professor Anni Kangas (TAU), Doctoral Researcher Mirzokhid Karshiev (UH), Postdoc Researcher Johanna Ketola (UTU), Postdoctoral Fellow Kristiina Silvan (FIIA).
After completing the course, students will be able to:
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Identify and explain key historical developments and long-term trends in Central Asia
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Analyse the political and economic transformations that have shaped the region since 1991
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Apply core concepts and approaches from Central Asian studies
- Demonstrate familiarity with country-level characteristics, including demographic profiles, political systems, and development indicators
- Evaluate major political developments and societal dynamics in contemporary Central Asia
- Assess Central Asia’s position in global affairs, including foreign policy orientations and the role of external actors
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Learning method and materials:
This online course will be run in the DigiCampus learning platform. Asynchronous learning allows you to study on your own schedule.
The core materials consist of short (20 min) recorded lectures and slide decks that are prepared by experts on Central Asia. In addition, the versatile learning materials include timelines, infographics, podcasts and open access online materials. Learners will also get acquainted with central sources of information about Central Asia, including selected Central Asian webpages.
The course may be complemented with the 2 ECTS course “Central Asian News Media” (available to Network students only; not offered as a MOOC). If you are planning to complete the Asian Programme or a Mini Minor, you should take both parts of the course (3 + 2 credits).
The course language is English. The course is graded pass/fail.
Registration
You can take this course independently without registration and receive a verifiable certificate upon course completion from autumn 2026 onwards.
The organizer of this course (University of Turku, Finland) provides ECTS study credits only for the students from member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies. For instructions, see below.
If you study at another university and would like to receive study credits for this course, please check in advance with your own university whether they will recognize these credits.
Students from Asianet member universities (JYU, TAU, UTU, + Jamk, Tamk), register directly at your own Peppi/Pakki/Sisu in “cross-institutional courses”, to get your credits registered in your study registry. This course is on-going until the end of the 2028. In the study system, please enroll in the course period during which you intend to complete the course. Credits will be registered after the end of each course period. More information here: Apply for Introductory Courses.
Starting the course:
Summer 2026: course is open only to registered students from member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies, who get an email invitation to the course after registration.
Valid from autumn 2026: You may begin the course independently at any time – no separate invitation from the teacher is required. To access the course site, go to https://digicampus.fi and search for the course by name. Log in using Haka Login and the username provided by your university. No course password is required. The course is offered through the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies https://asianet.fi/.
Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku / University Network for Asian Studies
Contact person: University lecturer Outi Luova, University of Turku
- Teacher
Outi Luova