In recent years, students in Uzbekistan have expressed interest in taking courses on U.S. history and contemporary society while improving their English skills. Through the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN), administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Union Institute and University partnered with Termez State University to launch the first American Studies course in Uzbekistan.
Beginning in December 2020, Professor Woden Teachout taught an online webinar on academic writing with the goal of improving the quality and clarity of students’ written English. The seminar also gave professors at Termez State University new strategies for improving the writing of their students, including providing warm-up writing assignments before students write long essays.
A ten-session masterclass on curriculum writing for advanced students at Termez State University followed, with the goal of assisting eight professors in writing a U.S. history course. Termez State University decided to create a American history course, using literature as the primary lens for understanding U.S. history, and crafted assignments and assessments to improve students’ critical thinking and research skills. The course will launch in Fall 2021 become one of the regular course offerings at Termez State University.