Skip to main content
Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Central Eurasian Studies

Major in Central Eurasia (Bachelor of Arts in Regional and Comparative Studies)

Students on Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 requirements RCSBA_M01

The major in Central Eurasian Studies provides students with the means to study in depth a region of specialization in Central Eurasia through mastery of one or more languages as well as the history, culture, religion and geopolitics of a given region in a multidisciplinary approach. The degree program combines two key features: (1) a Language of Specialization, which gives students access to the chosen civilization through the voices of its people; and (2) a Region of Specialization, which includes courses on various aspects of the chosen civilization. Two- and three-year sequences are offered in the following languages: Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian, Mongolian, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish, Uyghur, and Uzbek.

Central Eurasian Studies examines contemporary and historical regions of critical significance: Tibet, Mongolia, Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Hungary, Finland and the Baltics. Faculty in the Department conduct research and teach classes on such diverse topics as The Silk Road, the Mongol Conquest, Minorities in China, Russia's Neighbors, the Dalai Lamas, Iranian Kings and Prophets, nationalisms, gender, linguistic and cultural change. Required coursework promotes a multidisciplinary training in the languages, histories, cultures, religions, economies, geopolitics and international relations of one or more Central Eurasian regions of specialization.

Requirements

The major requires at least 30 credit hours (38 credit hours with Addenda Requirements), including the requirements listed below.
  1. RCS Core.
    1. Gateway 1. One (1) course:
      • SGIS-G 101 The Silk Roads: An Introduction to Regional and Comparative Social-Historical Studies
    2. Gateway 2. One (1) course:
      • SGIS-S 102 Global Giving and Philanthropy
    3. Area Studies Methods. One (1) course:
      • INTL-I 315 Research Design in International Studies
    4. Capstone. One (1) course:
      • INTL-I 400 International Studies Capstone Seminar
  2. Regional Specialization: Central Eurasia. 18 credit hours:
    1. Introductory Regional Survey. One (1) course:
      • CEUS-R 290 Introduction to Central Asia, Mongolia, and Tibet
      • CEUS-R 292 Introduction to Turkic and Iranian Civilization
      • CEUS-R 294 Introduction to Hungary, Estonia, and Finland
    2. Advanced Electives. Four (4) courses:
      • Any CEUS-C 300–399
      • Any CEUS-C 400–499
      • Any CEUS-R 300–399
      • Any CEUS-R 400–499
      • Any CEUS-T 300–399
      • Any CEUS-T 400–499
      • Any CEUS-X 300–399
      • Any CEUS-X 400–499
    3. Additional Electives. Additional course(s) as needed to fulfill remaining requirements
      • Any CEUS-R 100–499
  3. Addenda Requirement: Language Study*. Second year or higher (8 credit hours) of one of the following languages:
    • Estonian
    • Finnish
    • Hungarian
    • Mongolian
    • Persian
    • Tibetan
    • Turkish
    • Uyghur
    • Uzbek
    • Additional CEUS languages, depending on availability
  4. Major Hours and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    2. Major Upper Division Courses. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300-499 level.
    3. Minimum Grade. A grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.

Major Area Courses

  • Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

    • Any course at the 100–499 level with the CEUS subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
    • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
    • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Minor in Central Eurasian Studies [CEUSMIN]
  • Minor in Central Eurasian Studies with Language Certification [CEUSLNGMIN]

Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.