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Center for Global Engagement

TCNJ Silk Road – Maymester 2013

Travel in the Footsteps of Marco Polo -May 20-June 9

HIS 330: Travels on the Silk Road of Central Asia (1 unit, Liberal Learning credit in Social Change in Historical Perspectives)

Program Director: Dr. Jo-Ann Gross, Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Eurasian Studies, Department of History

Co-Requisite: HIS 455 Politics, Culture and Identity in Central Asia (Spring 2013)

No GPA Restrictions, No Language Requirements, Open to All Students in All Majors

Applications Available Here!

This 3-week experience is designed to acquaint students first-hand with the historical sites, culture, intellectual life and geography of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, located in the heartland of Central Asia.

The course will examine various cultural and intellectual traditions of central Asia, especially architectural, spiritual, and artistic traditions. During on-site visits, students will examine the relationship between material culture and historical transformation from the Islamic period through the tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet eras of nation building and economic change. Students will apply and expand upon the knowledge they gained from the spring 2013 seminar (HIS-445) as they experience this ethnically and linguistically diverse region of Turko-Persianate culture.

Students will:

  • visit cities along the Silk Road
  • travel through rural villages
  • explore ancient settlements and fortresses
  • roam through outdoor markets and handicraft centers
  • visit tombs and spiritual centers
  • attend concerts and dance performances
  • visit museums and artist studios
  • meet with Uzbek and Tajik faculty and students in universities and research institutes

2013 Itinerary is Available!

  • Istanbul
  • Tashkent
  • Urgench
  • Khiva-Aya Qala
  • Bukhara
  • Samarkand
  • Penjikent
  • Penjikent – Seven Lakes
  • Dushanbe

The goal of the program is to expand students’ awareness of the rich culture of Central Asia and expose them to a physical landscape different from their own. Students will participate in an active learning experience through study, travel, lectures and discussions while engaged in rigorous trip activities each day of the program.

Program Cost (subject to change depending on the need to make changes to the itinerary)

  • In-State: $5,240.72
  • Out-of-State: $ 6,676.44
(Please note: a $1,000 scholarship for eight students in the program has already been factored into the program cost.  If it is possible to add a ninth person, the price for that ninth person will be $6,240.72 or $7,676.44, depending on residency.)

Program Cost Includes: hotels (B&B), land transportation, entrances, several lunches and dinners.
Program Cost Does Not Include: airfare, some meals, personal expenses, gratuities for guides
Students have two payment options – they may enroll in the Sallie Mae Payment Plan (payment dates listed below) or pay-in-full for the program fee (travel-related expenses, not including airfare) by February 21, 2013.   Tuition and fee charges ($1,591.72 for in-state students) would be applied to your account in the regular summer school cycle, payable by April 21, 2013.   Please contact the CGE for more information.
Payment Schedule: 
  • $150 upon application (December 1, 2012)
  • $500 upon acceptance (December 21, 2012)
  • $1,147.68/$1,506.61 on January 21, 2013
  • $1,147.68/$1,506.61 on February 21,  2013
  • $1,147.68/$1,506.61 on March 21, 2013
  • $1,147.68/$1,506.61 on April 21, 2013
Questions?  Please contact the Center for Global Engagement at goglobal@tcnj.edu