GLS eNews February 1, 2021

GLS Express - February 1, 2021

GLS House remains closed until further notice. GLS staff are working remotely and may be reached via email.

From the Director

Hi GLS Community, 

The weather has been dreary, so I don’t have a video update from the woods this week. But I hope this finds you settling into the “spring” semester and finding your footing in your classes or master’s projects. We at Virtual GLS House have been enjoying working with everyone in LS 750, our regular advising sessions, and the Master’s Project Seminar.  I am constantly impressed by the breadth of your work and always buoyed by your bright spirits. 

Meanwhile, as times continue to be stressful, the pandemic remains uncontrolled, and a substantial portion of our population seems ever-more wedded to white nationalism and conspiracy theories, I am heartened by the Biden-Harris administration’s embrace of diversity and expertise. I am hopeful that the vaccine rollout will accelerate sufficiently in the coming months for us to glimpse a return to some semblance of “normal” by next fall. I know that Lisa, Kent, and I – like all of you – miss the in-person connections we shared at GLS House. 

And yet, the brightening prospects also remind me that GLS will (and probably should) look somewhat different in the “after” times. The pandemic has provided an opening to rethink nearly everything! As the students living through the transition, you are all well positioned to help us envision how GLS should evolve.  We invite you to share with us ideas you have – no matter how small or outrageous! – about how we can bring about a better “new normal” after this disruption.  

Take care, and stay well— 

Anne 

Drop/Add Ends Tomorrow

Drop/Add for spring 2021 ends on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Please check and make changes to your registration today so that you’ll have the time and flexibility to make adjustments as needed. All GLS students must be enrolled in CTN-01 in the fall and spring terms, particularly if you are not enrolled in any other classes.

• All special registration requests (adding courses below 500-level, Interinstitutional registration, course overload, etc.) must be RECEIVED in the gradacademics@duke.edu email box no later than 3:00 PM on February 1, 2021 to be processed by the drop/add deadline.
• After February 2, students must complete and submit to gradacademics@duke.edu an electronic course withdrawal form (available at: Graduate School Course Withdrawal Form (duke.edu) to discontinue taking a course. Forms require DGS approval prior to submission. A grade of “W” will post to the transcript for courses discontinued after Feb 2.

Summer I and II registration shopping carts in Hub 2.0 (formerly bookbags in Hub 1.0) will open on February 22, 2021, with live registration beginning March 1. Please note that GLS seminars are always Summer Term 1 Extended.

GLS Accepting Applications for Oxford Summer Schools

Oxford International Summer Schools are on for 2021, but please be advised that the ongoing pandemic and related travel restrictions could change that at any time. That said, GLS is taking applications for the following courses: English Literature, History, Politics & Society, Creative Writing--three weeks each--and International Politics, a two-week program. Each Oxford course counts as a three-unit course at Duke, but does not count toward the three LS courses required of all GLS students. Please note that all application materials must be emailed to GLS, not Oxford, by March 1. Anne Whisnant will provide the required letter of recommendation. Tuition and fees will be billed by the Duke Bursar in May. Be sure to read the GLS website carefully for detailed information on each course.

We strongly advise that you do not make travel arrangements until you have received notification of admission directly from Oxford. Questions? Email Lisa.

RCR Training Requirements for Master's Students

All new master’s students in The Graduate School are required to attend the Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) orientation during Orientation Week, plus one additional RCR training. As of fall 2020, new or continuing master’s students who have not completed RCR during fall orientation should sign up for one RCR forum with a GS714 designation and one with GS715; together, these two forums will address the same areas of content as the fall orientation. Students will still need to complete one additional RCR training. Click here to view the list of spring RCR forums.

See the Graduate School's RCR requirements here. E-mail The Graduate School at grad-rcr@duke.edu with any questions about RCR training.

TGS Professional Development for Master's Students - February 2021

How Do You Lead People Who are Not Like You? A Myers-Briggs Type Workshop

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

1:30-3:00 PM

Have you ever wondered how your personality preferences shape the way you interact with other people? If you prefer quiet time alone to interacting with a group, might that preference shape your style as a leader—and the way it’s received by those with the opposite preference? What if you like to be highly organized with checklists but your colleagues prefer to fly by the seat of their pants? This interactive workshop will help you learn about your behaviors and preferences by considering the way that people with the opposite personality preferences might perceive you, impacting your effectiveness as a leader.

Making the Most of LinkedIn, the Duke Alumni Network, and Informational Interviews

Monday, February 8, 2021

2:00-2:45 PM

Learn how to leverage the Duke Alumni Network together with LinkedIn to maximize your career research and possibilities for connections. Find out how you can put that knowledge into action through informational interviews with professionals in organizations and careers of interest.

Click here to see all professional development resources offered by The Graduate School.

Bass Connections Applications Due February 12

Applications for 2021-2022 Bass Connections project teams are now open. The deadline to apply is February 12 at 5 PM EST. Bass Connections bridges the classroom and the real world, giving students a chance to roll up their sleeves and tackle complex societal problems alongside faculty from across Duke. Working in interdisciplinary teams, graduate and undergraduate students collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research that spans subjects, demographic groups and borders. Bass Connections builds on Duke’s culture of collaboration and fosters knowledge in service to society. Visit the Bass Connections website for more information.

Story+, Data+ Offer Paid Summer Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities

The Story+ Student Application Portal is now open. The priority deadline for all students is February 19, 2021.

Story+ is a 6-week paid summer research experience for enrolled Duke University students – undergraduate and graduate – interested in bringing interdisciplinary humanities research to life through dynamic storytelling. For Summer 2021, Story+ will be a remote research program so that all who choose are able to participate no matter their location or health situation. Program dates are May 12 to June 25, 2021.

Data+ is a full-time ten week summer research experience that welcomes Duke undergraduate and masters students interested in exploring new data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges. It is suitable for students from all class years and from all majors.

Students join small project teams (at most 3 undergrads and 1 masters per team), working alongside other teams in a communal environment. They learn how to marshal, analyze, and visualize data, while gaining broad exposure to the modern world of data science.

Participants will receive a $5,000 stipend. The program runs from Monday, June 1st until Friday, August 6th 2021. Students must be in the program, with no exceptions. The application deadline is Feb. 26, 2021, but applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, so please get your applications in as soon as you can.

Click here for application details.

GLS Weekly Virtual Info Sessions

Spread the word! Each Friday at 10 AM, through May 14, GLS will hold weekly virtual information sessions via Zoom. Word of mouth continues to be one our best recruitment tools, so if you know of someone you think might be interested in the program, please send them our way.

Info sessions are a great way for prospective students to learn more about GLS and to see whether it's a good fit for them. We'll talk about the application process, curriculum, faculty, students, cost, and how Duke employees can use their tuition benefit to help finance their degree. We will make time for your questions as well. Advanced registration is required. See our website for dates and registration details. 

Important Dates for GLS Students

Registration Deadlines:

February 2 - Drop/Add ends

February 15 - Summer registration begins

March 22 - Fall bookbagging begins

April 1-8 - Fall registration

April 21 - Graduate classes end

April 22-25 - Graduate reading period

May 1 - Last day of semester

Master's Project Deadlines:

MP Seminars (LS 850) -- via Zoom

• January 25, Noon-2 PM - Session I 
• February 15, Noon-2 PM - Session II
• March 15, Noon-2 PM - Session III

February 1 - Apply to graduate deadline (for May graduation) - extended from January 25

March 12 - Proposal meeting deadline (for Summer projects; contact GLS early in semester with supervisor availability)

March 22, 2:00-3:30 PM - Proposal Workshop (voluntary) 

March 26 - Proposal submission deadline (for Summer projects)

April 14 - Last day master’s exams can be held (for May graduation)

Online Resources for Graduate Students

• COVID-19 updates for students are available on Duke's Coronavirus Response website.
• Graduate School-specific COVID-19 updates are posted here. TGS has also created a FAQ for continuing and incoming international students.
• The Duke Student Assistance Fund was established better support master's students who may be experiencing difficulty providing for their basic needs during this extraordinary time.
• Blue Devils Care is a new mental telehealth service that can provide support wherever you may be located currently. You can access the service by using the key DUKE2020.
• The Career Center now offers online drop-in advising for graduate students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. View the schedule here.