Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - IS 322 D100

Central Asia: Conflict and Security (4)

Class Number: 3310

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units. Recommended: IS 200.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines post-Soviet Central Asian states, with particular reference to the relationship among democratization, development, autocracy and conflict, and the role of external actors in transnational security issues in the region. Students with credit for IS 412 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to develop student expertise on Post-Soviet (after 1991) Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan) though an inter-disciplinary study of its politics and international relations. The core themes which will be explored include: i) the relationships among politiccs, security and conflict; ii) the security implications of the resilience and fragility of autocracies and semi-autocracies; iii) the role of external actors (Afghanistan, Russia, US, China, Turkey etc) in transnational security issues. The course introduces key academic works in the study of Central Asia and draws upon policy literature.

This is a seminar course, but there will be introductory lectures followed by seminar work, presentations, in class assignments and debates. There will also be group work requiring students to create policy proposals towards key political and security issues.  Students will be expected to give written and oral analyses of the readings each week. There will be a role-playing simulation at the end of term.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Skills taught and assessed include the ability to critically analyse modern politics and security studies in Central Asia; to analyse and evaluate theories, concepts and themes of post-Soviet Central Asian politics. Theoretical arguments will be critiqued and applied to empirical case studies; academic texts analysed; primary sources evaluated and deployed; reasoned arguments constructed. Students will also learn to communicate and negotiate effectively in oral and written form, to develop policy proposals based on empirical and theoretical works, and to work independently and with colleagues to achieve set tasks, to critique and come to consensus.

Grading

  • Participation (includes active and constructive discussions based on readings and group work) 15%
  • Presentation 15%
  • In-class writing assignment 15%
  • Tasks for the simulation 20%
  • Scenario 20%
  • Group position statement 15%

NOTES:

Graduate students will have extra assignments or page lengths.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Readings will mostly include journal articles which can be accessed online through the library or will be posted on SFU Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Adeeb Khalid, Islam after communism: Religion and politics in Central Asia (University of California Press, 2014)

Marlene Laruelle and Sebastien Peyrouse, Globalizing Central Asia, M E Sharpe, 2013 (paperback)

Kent E Calder, Supercontinent; The Logic of Eurasian Integration, Stanford University Press, 2019

Jeff Sahadeo & Russell Zanca (eds.): Everyday Life in Central Asia: Past and Present (Indiana University Press, 2007)

Daneil L Burghart, Ed, Central Asia in the Era of Sovereignty: The Return of Tamerlane? Rowman and Littlefield Publishing, London, 2018

Kathleen Collins, Clan Politics and Regime Transition in Central Asia (Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Mariya Y. Omelicheva, Democracy in Central Asia: Competing perspectives and alternative strategies (University Press of Kentucky, 2016)

Sally N. Cummings: Understanding Central Asia: Politics and Contested Transformations (Routledge, 2012)

Thomas Stephan Eder, China-Russia relations in Central Asia: Energy policy, Beijing’s new assertiveness and 21st Century geopolitics (Springer, 2013)

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.