Olha Zubko
PhD (History), Senior Lecturer
Department of History and Archaeology,
Vasyl Stus’ Donetsk National University (Vinnytsia)
E-mail: zubkoolga5@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000–0002–7052–1472
DOI: 10.17721/2522–4611.2026.54.12
EUROCENTRISM IN THE STUDY OF MEDIEVAL HISTORY OF ASIA AND AFRICA IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
OF UKRAINE
Relevance of the research. Eurocentrism in the study of the medieval history of Asia and Africa is an approach that views the development of non-European societies through the prism of the European experience, considering it a universal standard. Eurocentrism in the teaching of the university course of the medieval history of the countries of Asia and Africa is noticeable, first of all, in the terminological inconsistency, the stagnation model, ignoring subjectivity, and geographical determinism. The novelty of the study lies in the analysis of two innovative non-Eurocentric Ukrainian textbooks on the medieval history of Asian and African countries. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the reasons for the need for a non-Eurocentric study of the medieval history of the countries of Asia and Africa, which distinguish Eastern medieval history, economics, politics, culture, and geography. The research methodology is based on a combination of analysis with a comparative historical method, which allows us to establish and analyze the difference between the Medieval East and Medieval Europe. Conclusions. Moving away from the Eurocentric «reference worldview» formed over many decades in the study of the history of Asia and Africa in the Middle Ages by future historians, political scientists, and internationalists will help overcome the negative trends that occur in the teaching of world history in higher educational institutions of Ukraine. And in the realities of the Russian-Ukrainian war, building military and economic tactics and strategy, strengthening Ukraine's presence in the Asian and African regions will contribute to the diversification of exports (since these are markets with huge demand for grain, IT technologies, and weapons, which is critically important for supporting the Ukrainian economy), ensuring food security, countering Russian influence, and finding new political allies.
Key words: Orientalism, medieval history of Asian and African countries, educational course, higher educational institutions, Eurocentrism.
Received 30.03.2026.
Revised 15.04.2026.
Accepted 20.04.2026.
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