Earth and Environmental Sciences - Freshmen

Course # HUSS 1033

Credits 3

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

The course examines the concepts of culture, tradition, and change in Central Asia, emphasizing how geography, environment, and economy shape cultural landscapes and practices. It explores the factors that have produced the region’s cultural complexities and how life-cycle events (such as marriage and death), verbal arts, music, films, and dance embody and transmit cultural memory and values. Customs and practices are considered dynamic, continually adapting to ecological conditions, socio-economic transformations, and global influences. The course highlights how cultural traditions and values shape economic behavior, labor practices, and institutional development, offering insights into the interplay between culture and economic growth, as well as foregrounding the role of natural resources, climate, and ecosystems in shaping livelihoods, settlement patterns, and cultural adaptation, while addressing the challenges of modernization, globalization, and environmental change. Students will also engage with debates about the role of state and non-state institutions, as well as global organizations, in safeguarding and revitalizing cultural and ecological heritage. Cultural expressions are approached not only as legacies of a complex past but also as vital resources for fostering sustainability, innovation, intercultural understanding, and cooperation in contemporary societies.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Explore values, customs, and social systems and practices of various cultures to interpret the diversity of Central Asian cultures.
• Analyze the diversity of Central Asian cultural traditions, life-cycle rituals, and expressive arts, and explain how they are shaped by geography and environment.
• Evaluate how cultural heritage (festivals, sacred sites, crafts, music) contributes to local and regional economies, including tourism, livelihoods, and creative industries.
• Design and present a creative exhibition that integrates cultural, economic, and environmental perspectives.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 1103

Credits 3

TBA

Course # HUSS 1113

Credits 3

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

This course explores the formation of Tajik people/nation in different periods of history, starting from the creation of the first societies, and states pre-modern Central Asia. It investigates two key themes. The first is the role of geography, politics and economics in determining the fate of the people, of an ethnic group in the region. The second is the contingent nature of identities, in particular, ethnic identity. In other words, identities are never unchanging or natural, but they are the product of wider circumstances. Central Asia’s position as a trading corridor meant that different culture and the institutions associated with them were widely disseminated and intermingled. By exploring how the development of states and societies is influenced by the interplay of geography, climate, cultures, religions, and civilizations, students will be equipped to, think critically about their own national identity.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

    1. Discuss the contingent nature of culture, and identity religion in human societies

• Explain why identities change
• Analyse reasons how geographical place,  socio-economic and political changes  influence on identity
• Discuss how skilled individuals are produced or gathered

2. Compare different encounters between Eurasian cultures and religions and their impact on the formation of ethnic group

• Explore the ways Central Eurasia had acted as a thoroughfare for people and ideas
• Discuss how the political and social-economic transformations in Central Asia had affected the development of ethnic group
• Explore how the Tajik nation was formed

3. Use primary sources to question received narratives about the past

• • Identify appropriate contexts for using primary sources
  • Examine appropriate questions to seek from primary sources
  • Explore the historical sites of Tajikistan

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 1116

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

This comprehensive and transformative course is designed to enhance students' transition from general academic communication to specialized communication across various academic disciplines. The course aims to equip freshmen with the skills necessary to excel in effective rhetoric, critical analysis, and compelling writing. Students explore the relationship between concepts and communication in their chosen field, progressing from foundational understanding to advanced application. Through engaging classroom instruction, practical exercises, collaborative activities, and comprehensive assessments, students cultivate the ability to convey complex theories, arguments, and research findings with clarity, precision, and persuasion. By the course's conclusion, students will be well-prepared to succeed in diverse academic and professional contexts, equipped with robust communication skills pertinent to their chosen field.

Course learning outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the main argument of a scholarly article (critical review).
• Assess quality academic sources (peer-reviewed, credible, relevant).
• Synthesize (connect and compare) sources to show themes and gaps.
• Write clear, well-structured mini-research project (built on the literature review in LO3) with correct citation (APA or other required style).
• Course Assessments and Grading 

Course # HUSS 1031

Credits 3

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

This course explores the geography and demography of Tajikistan, highlighting their links to the country’s economic development. The focus on economic geography encompasses topics such as demography, the perception and utilization of spaces, and the sustainable management of natural resources in both Tajikistan and the broader Central Asian region. Key themes, including resource exploitation, water utilization, industry, agriculture, population and labor resources, and cross-boundary relations and exchanges, are examined throughout the course. The aim is to deepen students' understanding of Tajikistan's role within Central Asia by exploring its economy, environment, natural resources, demography, and development prospects. Through the study and analysis of these topics, students gain evidence-based insights into the geography, economy, and demography of the country. Additionally, students learn how to connect empirical data with theoretical frameworks and critically interpret various sources.

Course Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain how the geographic features of Tajikistan (Central Asia) are linked with  natural resources,  agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
• Explain the salient features of Tajikistan’s natural resource potential and relate the ways the resources are used to livelihood strategies and development
• Analyse sources to unpack human-environmental relations in the context of natural resources use, and socio-economic activities

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # EAES 1001

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences is the initial foundation course of the EES programme. Earth is a dynamic planet, and the processes that have shaped it over geological time and continue to shape it before our very eyes are the focus of this course. Students examine the evidence for our current understanding of the formation of our planet and the fundamental processes of plate tectonics, geomagnetism, and magmatism. Secondary geological processes are explored including earthquakes, volcanism, orogenesis, and surface processes that shape our planet. These are all components of the complex, interconnected Earth System that is examined in the context of the Earth’s climate system and the evolution of life.  Students develop an understanding of how scientific research is carried out within the context of the Earth sciences.

Course Learning Outcomes

As a citizen of Planet Earth, you make environmental, political, and socio-economic decisions about your life for which knowledge of our planet is relevant. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply an evidence-based, logical, scientific approach to ask and address questions about our planet and solar system.
• Interpret everyday observations of the natural world and evaluate Earth Science-related topics covered in the media in terms of the Earth System and planetary processes including tectonics, magmatism, surface processes, and climate.
• Recognize the complex links among geologic, oceanic, glacial, atmospheric, and biologic processes.
• Identify and use appropriate time scales to describe and link different planetary processes.
• Articulate the relevance of Earth Science to individuals and to mountain societies.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 1126

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course description

The course is designed for foreign students studying the Russian language with the aim of mastering basic skills of written and spoken communication in certain everyday, socio-cultural and educational contexts.

During Russian language classes students will learn proper writing techniques and engage in various language activities, including writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The primary goal of this course is to create an environment for students that will foster their interest in the material being studied and facilitate their comprehension of the content.

Starting with learning the alphabet and correct pronunciation, students will progress to basic conversational skills, social etiquette, and simple ethical and aesthetic norms in Russian communication. Through dialogues and group discussions, students will learn how to summarize texts based on the vocabulary and grammar covered in the lessons. Emphasis is placed on practical proficiency in the Russian language across all modes of communication and various social and academic contexts.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• read in Russian correctly and fluently;
• listen to and understand others' speech adequately;
• speak freely and correctly within the scope of the topics studied;
• evaluate and reason effectively.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # HUSS 1127

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course description

The course is intended for foreign students who have completed the beginner level of the program. An important requirement for this course is the students’ preparedness, thorough absorption and elaboration of the covered material, both grammatical and lexical. The informative and rich content of the course will help students develop their intellectual skills and the ability to engage in cognitive activities in general including tasks such as “let’s argue”, “convince a friend”, and reasoning about statements. Students will be involved in some practical work mastering the Russian language in all types of speech activity and various areas of communication, and will expand their vocabulary by working on texts with pre- and post-reading tasks, dealing with lexical and grammatical exercises, and engaging in discussions.

Students performs a particular workload each week, both during classes and independently. A creative approach to completing text assignments, mastering the entire lexical minimum on the topics, and working on exercises, both written and oral, are encouraged in every lesson. Written work must be submitted on time.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• read in Russian correctly and fluently;
• listen to and understand others' speech adequately;
• speak freely and correctly within the scope of the topics studied;
• evaluate and reason effectively;
• possess written communication skills at an intermediate level.

Course Assessment and Grading:

Course # HUSS 1128

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course description

The course is designed for foreign students who have an advanced level of proficiency in the Russian language. The main goal of the course is to develop speaking and writing skills in Russian at a professional level and in various communication fields, including official communication, business and academic communication (both written and oral). Additionally, it aims to teach them to analyze journalistic and literary texts and acquire minimal skills in creating such texts. The course is designed for 52 hours, with classes held twice a week for two paired academic hours. The classes are organized interactively, and texts on various topics, styles, and genres are selected for independent work.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• improve grammatical and linguistic competence (systematization and generalization of linguistic material in order to use it in the form of written or oral texts in situations of educational, professional and scientific spheres of communication;
• enhance their discursive competence
• explore and improve their social competence (the ability to understand the basic social and behavioral characteristics of interlocutors);
• develop their socio-linguistic competence (the ability to use various speech strategies and tactics used in educational, professional, and scientific communication spheres).

Course Assessment and Grading

Physical training

Course # HUSS 1080

Credits 0

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course description

The purpose of physical education is to strengthen health, develop the physical and mental abilities of students. Physical exercises and sports games is the way to a powerful and functional body, clear mind and strong spirit. The course is both practical and theoretical, it covers basic concepts of anatomy and physiology as well as health and safety requirements.  

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• perform a range of physical activities
• understand health and safety requirements for a range of physical activities
• describe the role and progress of sport in Central Asia
• chose an appropriate physical activities program for their age and gender
• identify tiredness and its symptoms to control the body during athletic exercises
• describe the technique of running for a long and a short distance and jumping
• accomplish running for a short and a long distance and jumping according to all necessary norms
• describe the rules of a range of sports games
• participate in a range of sports games according to their rules and techniques

Course Assessments and Grading

* The course will be graded with PASS/FAIL.