This course examines the Central Eurasian languages and recent linguistic work on them. The Sprachbund ('linguistic area') theory is examined, as are major relationship theories, both divergent ('genetic') and convergent. Families covered include Finno-Ugric, Indo-European, Mongolic, Puyo-Koguryoic, Tibeto-Burman, Tungusic, and Turkic. No prior knowledge of Central Eurasian languages assumed.