Center of the Ancient Silk Road: Uzbekistan Past, Present & Future
2008 Exploration Seminar in Uzbekistan

This program has been cancelled for 2008 - please consider another Exploration Seminar program!

Program Director: Ilse Cirtautas ~ Near East Language & Civilization
Date of Instruction: August 16 to September 14, 2008

This seminar will take us to Uzbekistan, a country with an ancient history and strong traditions. Its people survived nearly 130 years of Russian and Soviet colonialism. The goal of the seminar is to explore the factors that have assisted the Uzbeks in their struggle for survival. Among the determining factors we certainly have to consider the admirable value structure of the Uzbeks which is essentially based on respect for elders and  devotion to the legacy and spirits of the ancestors. One of the first tasks Uzbekistan undertook after gaining independence in 1991 was to restore the mausoleums and shrines of  Muslim saints and scholars and to honor yearly the great personalities of  its history at their anniversaries.

The past is present in Uzbekistan everywhere, not only spiritually but also physically. We will experience this when we visit the ancient cities along the Silk Road: Samarkand which this year celebrated 2750 years of its founding, Bukhara with a history of at least 3000 years, Khiva, of equal age, with the old part of the city preserved  as an "open historical museum" and, in the Ferghana valley, the 2000 year old city of Marghilan, famous for its silk makers and other traditional crafts. We will be traveling to these and other places by train, plane and bus, these modern means of transportation replacing the slowly moving camel caravans of the past. The seminar will be based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital and Seattle's Sister City since 1972. Tashkent, too, has a long history. It will celebrate 2200 years of its existence in 2008. We will be arriving in Tashkent just in time for the celebrations. Tashkent has been called "the green and clean city of fountains," but it is also known for its many historical Islamic buildings, lovingly restored, and its modern, distinctive architecture. In 2007 the Islamic Educational. Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) that selects a city in the Muslim world every year as the "Capital of Islamic Civilization” bestowed this title on Tashkent.

The seminar will, for the most part, be conducted in Tashkent. Each week we will concentrate on a particular topic, such as "The Art of Being an Uzbek" (Week 1),  "Uzbekistan's Distant and Recent Past" (Week 2), "Uzbekistan's Future: Visions and Global and Regional Concerns" (Week 4). Prominent Uzbek writers and scholars will  present lectures followed by discussions. Meetings with students and faculty from the University of Washington's five partner institutions in Tashkent will also be arranged.  All efforts will be made to have the seminar participants housed with Uzbek families.

The Seminar is especially suited for students who want to broaden their interest in Central Asia and who have at least a basic or better knowledge of Uzbek. All participants are required to attend several hours of introduction to Uzbekistan in Spring quarter. For those without any knowledge of Uzbek the most necessary phrases (greetings, terms of address, etc.) will be taught, It is expected that participants develop a topic for a research paper before and during the trip to Uzbekistan.

Participants can earn five credits, offered on the 400 or above level through the Jackson School of International  Studies; or 5 credits of CHID 474:  Asia Study Abroad (I&S). Further information to follow. Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits will count towards these and other departmental requirements.

Student costs:  
$2,275 Program Fee
$200 IPE Fee
Additional costs include: Round trip airfare to Uzbekistan, meals, health insurance, course materials and personal expenses.

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