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EURASIAN STUDIES 210
NOMADS OF EURASIA
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Instructor:
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Paul Buell
5 Quarter Credits
18 Assignments
2 Exams
Self-paced independent learning with instructor guidance
Internet access is required for access to materials in Canvas
This course may be taken to fulfill theWWU General University Requirement
for Block A: Comparative Gender and Multicultural Studies
The following pages are an excerpt from the full course syllabus. Western Washington
University reserves the right to cancel courses and change instructors, course requirements and
textbooks at any time. Check with the Western Online office regarding course availability.
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EURASIAN STUDIES 210
NOMADS OF EURASIA
THE COURSE:
Eurasian Studies 210 is an introduction to the histories, societies, and cultures of selected
nomadic civilizations of north and central Asia and adjacent areas focusing primarily on the
Mongols, and other steppe societies and cultures having a special relationship with China. It also
focuses on the modern states that are the successors to these civilizations and the issues
dominating Central Asia today. Although other East Asian Studies courses, in particular EAST
201 and EAST 202, offered in regular session may provide useful background, no such prior
background is assumed. The course texts, along with additional narrative materials and readings
from primary sources included in the Study Guide for this syllabus, are intended to provide a
complete introduction to the course subject matter.
REQUIRED TEXTS:

Buell, Paul D. Historical Dictionary of the Mongolian World Empire, Lanham, Md., and
Oxford: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and
Historical Eras, No. 8), 2003. ISBN 9780810845718.

Olcott, Martha Brill. Kazakhstan, Unfulfilled Promise, Washington, D.C.: Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, 2002. ISBN 9780870031885.
THE LESSONS:
Since there are no formal classroom lectures in a self-paced course, the approach of this
course is to emphasize the careful reading of detailed information and source material found in
the syllabus, and written responses to questions that require the student to consider major themes
addressed in the readings.
Of the 18 lessons, 14 are individual, and 4 are in the form of combined lessons, when a
large amount of reading is required or the material is particularly dense. All begin with a reading
assignment, either in the Study Guide, or in a course textbook, and then follow with a written
assignment. Usually the written assignments involve short written answers to 3-5 questions.
Anywhere from a few paragraphs to a full page or more may be required to answer each.
Sometimes a full essay is requested. In any case, answers should be well-organized and wellwritten and, when word processors are used, spell-checked. Handwritten answers are acceptable,
but please use a dark ink or pencil lead to make them as legible as possible.
Since these questions are an important part of this course, students should plan to devote
adequate time to answering them. The Study Guide includes (at the end) a bibliography of
additional reading, and online resources listed in the Appendix that may also prove useful, but
material contained in the Study Guide or in course texts is more than adequate to answer all the
questions in nearly all cases.
1.
2.-3
4.
5.
6.
7.-8
9.
10.
11.
Origins: Scythians, Saka, and Hu
The First Nomadic Civilization of Mongolia: Xiongnu and Their Era
Central Asia, Mongolia, and North China after the Xiongnu
Rise of the Turks and Later Turkic Societies
China and Central Asia Before the Mongols
Cinggis-qan and His successors Build An Empire
Mongol China
Golden Horde and the Ca’adai Ulus
Mongol Iran
MID-TERM
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Mongolia after Empire: Renaissance and Decline
Recent Central Asia: Introduction
Kazakhstan: The Rise of an Independent State
Kazakhstan: The Problem of Nationality
Kazakhstan: The Political Issues
Kazakhstan: Economic Development, But Who Controls It?
Kazakhstan: The Future
FINAL
EXAMINATIONS:
There are two written examinations. Each examination will be of two hours duration, the
first after lesson 11, the second after the completion of lesson 18. The examinations, while
closely patterned after those offered in regular session classes, are designed to allow the student
more than ample time to complete them. All will be open book and open notes.
When you have completed the required eleven lessons, refer to the blue exam request
form in this packet for information on how to proceed. The mid-term examination will be in
three parts: Part 1 will be a major essay on a key topic discussed so far, no choice. The grade on
this section will comprise 50% of your exam grade, so take your time and carefully answer the
question, providing required detail and examples where necessary. Part 2 will comprise three
short questions. You must write on one. Your answer will be 30% of the examination grade.
Part 3 will consist of 7 identifications (e.g., yurt). You must correctly identify five in short
paragraphs. This section will be worth 20% of your total exam grade. You will have two hours
to complete the examination. Once you have taken the mid-term you may continue with the
course.
The final exam, which you may take as soon as you have submitted lesson 18, will be
structured similarly to the mid-term. Part 1 will be a major essay on a key topic connected to
recent Central Asia (covered in lessons 11-18), no choice. This will comprise 50% of your exam
grade. Part 2 will be a second general question but will be more limited in scope. You will have
a choice of two questions. Your answer will be 30% of the examination grade. Part 3 will
consist of 7 identifications relating to lessons 11-16. You must correctly identify five in short
paragraphs. Refer to the second blue exam request form in this packet for information on how to
proceed.
Examinations themselves will be kept on file by the Independent Learning Office, but
you will receive back a form containing the instructor’s evaluation of your answers to each part
of the exam and an exam grade. You may, if you wish, discuss your exam by phone, letter, or
email with the instructor. Grading mistakes are made. If you think one has been made contact
the instructor immediately. Grades will never be lowered, only raised if there is an error.
When you study for your exams use your completed answers or essays written in
response to the questions for each lesson. These will be returned to you after being graded,
along with the instructor's comments for review. Also, think about some of the broader themes
that will emerge from reading. Essay questions should be carefully organized with a theme
paragraph and detailed exposition of points. It will be helpful to outline your answer briefly
before beginning to write. In preparing for the identification section of the exam, pay special
heed to key words and concepts listed at the beginning of each lesson in the syllabus. Contract
your instructor by phone or by email if you have questions regarding the focus or content of the
written examinations.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Paul D. Buell holds a BA in history from UCLA, plus an MA in Chinese, and a Ph.D. in
history from the University of Washington. He has taught at Western Washington University in
the Departments of Liberal Studies, Technology, History, and East Asian Studies. Professor
Buell is a widely published, internationally recognized expert on Mongolian and East Asian
history and culture, and on traditional Chinese medicine. He is currently a contributor to Jane’s
Sentinel China and Northeast Asia and Jane’s Sentinel Russia and the CIS.