This course covers a predominantly Muslim region, which has come to prominence in world politics since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its focus is on the national politics and regional and international relations of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with references to other players' role in the region. The course concentrates on selected themes concerning political and social change, economic modernisation and regional security against the backdrop of sectarian, ethnolinguistic and ideological diversity, as well as outside interference and geopolitical rivalry.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. familiarise themselves with the region, its peoples, geography, culture, and the place in the world;
2. critically reflect on, and discuss the key concepts, themes, and schools of thought pertaining to politics and international relations of Central Asia;
3. critically analyse historical and current developments in the region, using these intellectual tools; and
4. locate and collate materials on a topic relevant to Central Asian studies, and present their findings in a critical, cogent and analytical manner.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1 Central Asia as a region: an overview of geographical and sociological features.Lecture 2 Historical evolution and cultural identity.	Enroll in a tutorial group
2	Lecture 3 The process of state formation.Lecture 4 Islam in Central Asia.	Tutorials begin
3	Lecture 5 Central Asia on the threshold of modernity: weak states and divided peoples.Lecture 6 The ‘Great Game’ and Russian subjugation of Central Asia.	Tutorial participation
4	Lecture 7 The processes of modernisation and political change in Central Asia and Afghanistan.Lecture 8 Sovietisation of Central Asia: an exercise in communist development.	Tutorial participation
5	Lecture 9 Successes and failures of Soviet rule in Central Asia.Lecture 10 Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika and the rise of nationalism in Central Asia.	Tutorial participation
6	Lecture 11 Central Asia and superpower rivalry during the Cold War (and after).Lecture 12 The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and its impact on the region.	Tutorial participation
7	Lecture 13 The disintegration of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the independent states in Central Asia.Lecture 14 Post-Soviet politics in the Central Asian Republics: the vagaries of nation-state building.	Tutorial participationEssay due by 4pm on September 18
8	Lecture 15 Political economy of the newly independent Central Asian states: from dependency to sustainable development.Lecture 16 Political processes and the fate of democracy in Central Asia.	Tutorial participation
9	Lecture 17 The failure of the communist regime in Afghanistan and the ephemeral triumph of the Mujahideen.Lecture 18 The rise of the Taliban and international jihadi networks.	Tutorial participation
10	Lecture 19 International involvement in Afghanistan after 9/11.Lecture 20 Re-building Afghanistan: one hell of a disaster.	Tutorial participation
11	Lecture 21 Islamic radicalism in Central Asia: problems and solutions.Lecture 22 Geopolitical rivalry in the region in the 21st century.	Tutorial participation
12	Lecture 23 Foreign policy of the Central Asian republics.Lecture 24 Central Asia and Afghanistan: turbulent present, uncertain future.	Tutorial participationExam period October 27 - November 15

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration is available via ANU MyTimetable https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
A 3,000-word research essay	50 %	18/09/2025	05/10/2025	1-4
Online examination at the end of the semester	40 %	*	*	3,4
Tutorial performance	10 %	*	*	2,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

A 3,000-word research essay

The essay:

·     Must be on a topic selected from the list to be supplied in Week 2 and published on Canvas.

·     Must be 3,000 words in length (± 10% strictly).

·     Will count for 50% of the total course assessment and final mark.

·     Will be assessed against one or more of Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4, on (in descending order of importance):

— whether and how well the question is answered;

— whether and how well an argument is presented;

— the factual accuracy of the essay;

— the depth and sophistication of research demonstrated in the essay;

— whether academic conventions have been followed; and

— the technical quality of the essay.

·     Must be formatted for ease of reading, i.e. it must:

— be word processed or typed;

— follow either Chicago (footnote) or Harvard (author-date) referencing guidelines;

— be in a commonly used font, of a size roughly similar to Times 12pt for main text and roughly Times 10pt for footnotes;

— be 1.5-spaced or double-spaced for the main text, and single spaced for the footnotes, bibliography, and any appendices;

— have wide margins left and right; and

— be on standard (A4) sized pages, paginated throughout.

·     Must be submitted electronically using the Turnitin protocol on the course site. Essays submitted in any other way may not be received or accepted, unless an alternative submission means has been previously agreed with the course convener.

Assessment Task 2

Online examination at the end of the semester

The final examination:

·     Will be held during the First Semester examination period (27 October – 15 November inclusive). Students must make themselves available to sit the examination at any time during this period.

·     Will be of 4 hours’ duration and follow the open book format.

·     Will entail answering two questions in a flexible format (could be essay-like, dot-point, poetic, etc.) Advice on the questions will be provided during tutorials well ahead of the exam.

·     Will count for 40% of the total course assessment and final mark.

·     Will be assessed against one or more of Learning Outcomes 3 and 4, and will be assessed on (in descending order of importance):

— whether and how well the questions posed are answered;

— whether and how well facts and arguments, as applicable, are presented in the answers;

— the depth and sophistication of knowledge and understanding demonstrated in the examination.

Further advice will be provided during tutorials. 

Assessment Task 3

Tutorial performance

Tutorial performance will be based on three types of in-class activities:

-         quizzes reflecting the essential reading for a particular week (students in an online tutorial will be asked to submit short reading reports in lieu of quizzes);

-         individual participation in the free-for-all discussion;

-         small group work on problem resolution.

·        Tutorial attendance is not assessable per se but is highly desirable as there are no alternatives to the activities outlined above. The tutorial mark will be made available on October 24 and is not open to appraisal by a second examiner.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not allowed.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students