PASI5248 Introduction to Central Asia (3 cr)
Cooperation network course
Network: Finnish University Network for Asian Studies
Available for: Doctoral studies, Master's students, Bachelor's students and Bachelor's and Master's students
This course is offered through the Network for Asianet. These studies are available for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree students studying in the University of Jyväskylä.
Grading scale:
Pass - fail
Description
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.
Upon successful completion of all course requirements, participants will receive a digitally verifiable course certificate. For students affiliated with the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies (JY, Tuni, UTU), course credits will be registered in Peppi and Sisu. The course may be complemented with the 2 ECTS course “Central Asian News Media” (available to Network students only; not offered as a MOOC).
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).
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
• Identify and explain key historical developments and long-term trends in Central Asia
• Analyse the political and economic transformations that have shaped the region since 1991
• 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
Additional information
Registration:
Students from the University of Turku, and the other member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies can register for this course through their own Peppi or Sisu systems.
Starting the course:
The course is available on the DigiCampus website https://digicampus.fi. You can find the course there by searching for the course name.
NOTE! use the HAKA login and the username provided by your university when you log in to the course on the DigiCampus page. Otherwise, you will not receive a certificate of completion after completing the course.
If you are taking the course as part of the 25-credit minor module of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies, be sure to register to the Central Asian News media course, too.
You may begin the course independently at any time (during the course period) – no separate invitation from the teacher is required. To access the course site, go to https://digicampus.fi, search for the course and 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/.