Introduction to Central Asia

All terms (ongoing until end of 2026)

Summer term 2026

  • Introduction to Central Asia (3 ECTS):
    • Registration COMING SOON
    • Study period: 15.6. – 31.7.2026

Autumn term 2026

  • Introduction to Central Asia (3 ECTS):
    • Registration period (Peppi and Sisu): 01.08. – 15.11.2026
    • Study period: 01.09. – 15.12.2026
  • Central Asian News Media (2 ECTS): (Autumn term only!)
    • Registration period (Peppi and Sisu): 01.08. – 15.11.2026
    • Study period: 01.09. – 15.12.2026


Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku / University Network for Asian Studies
Contact person: University lecturer Outi Luova, University of Turku


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


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).


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).


1. MOOC course: Introduction to Central Asia (3 ECTS)

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 the Peppi or Sisu systems and get their credits registered.

Students can complete the coursework according to their own schedule during the course period. Additionally, there will be some exercises given that need to be completed within that month.

Grading: pass / fail
Level: basic
Language: English


2. Central Asian News Media (2 ECTS)

This course is available for the students of the member universities of the Asia Network, and self-funding students of the Asia Network. It has a maximum intake of 50 students.

This course complements the 3-credit introductory course. Only students who are enrolled for the introductory course, or have previously taken the course are eligible to apply for this course.

In this course, you will be able to apply what you have learned in the “Introduction to Central Asia” course by familiarizing yourself with the news media of Central Asian countries. The course teaches how to use media materials as research material. Students get to know media cultures and learn academic argumentation, reading and writing skills.

Study materials consist of video lectures, scientific articles and news media. Assignments include:

1. multiple-choice assignment based on reading material
2. group discussion on current news
3. a short media analysis (3-4 pages)

Grading: 0–5
Level: intermediate
Taken as: self-paced online course
Language of the study materials: English
Language of assignments: English or Finnish


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/.


Certificate and course credits:
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).

If you register for the course independently, you will get a certificate of completion from the DigiCampus platform. In this case, if you want to receive study credits, check with your university/polytechnic in advance whether they approve this course for your study programme.