240122 SE VM5 / VM6 - Social Change and Development in Central Asia: Interventions and Transitions (2019S)

Aims: The students are familiar with historical and recent societal transitions and developments in the Central Asia region. They have developed a broader understanding of the divergent concepts of development and the practical interventions that have shaped these processes, and are able to apply this knowledge in other temporal and spatial contexts.
Content: Over the last two centuries, the societies of the so-called ‘post-Soviet Central Asia’ region have undergone three fundamental transitions: 1) its conquest and colonization by the Russian Empire in the 19th century; 2) the establishment of the Soviet Regime in the early 20th century, followed by socialist modernization; and 3) the dissolution of the Soviet Union, followed by the post-socialist transition around the turn of the 20th century and into the 21st century. This course focuses on these radical societal changes, and pays specific attention to contested concepts of development and differing visions of how the future society in the region should be, as well as the interventions and measures that have shaped these change processes.
Method: Literature-based presentations and discussions, session minutes (protocols/memos), short written contribution (essay or reaction paper), scientific paper (Seminararbeit) about the topic that was chosen for presentation