GLS eNews February 14, 2022
GLS Biweekly Update February 14, 2022
In light of Omicron, the GLS staff will continue to work a hybrid schedule (although someone will be at the GLS house each day). We will continue to hold meetings by Zoom. Email or phone remains the best way to each us.
From the Director
Happy February, GLS Friends!
I hope the semester is going well for everyone, even as we remain suspended in the new, weird “normal.” We at GLS continue to work a hybrid schedule with someone at GLS House every day should you need anything onsite. As always, we are available by email, phone, or Zoom.
I write today about a serious matter: harassment in the academy. As you may be aware, in the past week three graduate students at Harvard have filed suit against their university for its negligence in addressing student concerns of harassing and threatening behavior by a senior faculty member.
The case has several troubling dimensions, not least the issuance
(and later retraction) of a letter in support for the accused faculty member signed by a long list of eminent faculty members who lacked full information regarding the allegations of his behavior. All of this has caused significant pain and consternation among students, to whom this letter signaled the softness of the university’s (and some faculty’s) commitment to granting credence to student reports about their experiences.
You can read about this situation at the following links
(The NY Times should be accessible through Duke Libraries):
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/2/9/comaroff-lawsuit/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/us/harvard-sexual-harassment-lawsuit.html
Harassment in the academy is a problem exacerbated by various power inequalities built into the system. It takes place at all institutions, large and small, prominent and obscure. Therefore, I want to call your attention to the university resources – especially a new tool hosted at the Graduate School – for assisting you should you find yourself or others the target of harassing behavior:
General Graduate School Resource Page
and
Reporting Harassment Interactive Tool
Please note that some people and offices (including GLS staff) are required to report any instances of harassment about which we learn, while other resources can provide confidential assistance.
No institutionally based process is perfect, of course. Indeed, the failure of institutional processes is at the heart of the Harvard lawsuit. But, here at Duke, there are resources to help. And I believe there are people of goodwill around our campus who are dedicated to improving the university environment. Most of all, I want you to know that we at GLS are committed to making your experience in our program free of harassing or discriminatory behavior.
Be well!
Warmly,
Anne
GLS Evening Writing Seminars
Evening Writing Seminars Are Back!
Kent Wicker typically offers a series of evening seminars during the Spring semester designed around particular issues in academic writing. This semester, he will be offering two different hour-long Zoom sessions:
Three Ways of Looking at a Paragraph
Thursday, February 17, 5:30-6:30 pm
Is there only one correct way of writing a paragraph? What different effects are produced by different paragraph shapes? Is the paragraph evolving to do different kinds of work? In this session, we will examine the paragraph as a changing historical artifact, as an instrument of logical argumentation, and as a poetic vehicle of personal style.
Getting Personal: The Role of Personal
Experience in Academic Writing
Thursday, March 3, 5:30-6:30 pm
What is the effect of using that first-person “I” voice in an academic essay? What is an appropriate use of personal experience in academic analysis? Can it tell us things we can’t otherwise know? We’ll examine some examples to discuss their strategies and effectiveness.
These brief seminars are highly informal, offering an opportunity to explore some aspects of writing in a bit more depth than can be done in the core course. Kent typically offers some reflections and some models or exercises, but there will also be plenty of time for questions and sharing of strategies in a workshop setting. To register for either or both of these seminars, please use the Zoom registration links above.
Summer Courses
Summer courses are now open!
*NEW* Chinese Art in Place
Stanley Abe: Wed, 6-9:15 PM
Stanley Abe has published on Chinese Buddhist art, contemporary Chinese art, Asian American art, Abstract Expressionism, and the collecting of Chinese sculpture. He is now writing a narrative account of how Chinese sculpture came into existence as a category of Fine Art during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Reckoning with Inequality via Critical Family History
Susan Thorne: T/Th 6-9:15 PM
Susan Thorne, Associate Professor of History, teaches courses on the social history of Britain and the British Empire, and on the history of European expansion more generally. She is currently working on Charles Dickens’ influence on Anglo-American “ways of seeing” the children of the urban poor.
Click on the links above for more information on these courses. General information on Summer registration can be found here.
Oxford Summer School 2022
GLS students may take one of four approved programs for three units of Duke credit: English Literature; History Politics & Society; Creative Writing (Intermediate or Advanced); or the International Politics Summer School. Deadlines to apply vary according to program. Please note that all fees, including tuition, room and board, will be billed by the Duke Bursar and are due to Duke by May 12. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for airfare, ground transportation, and personal expenses. Please explore the link above and contact Lisa for details on submitting your application.
GLS Student Highlight
GLS student Toya Wallace included in UNCW Exhibit
Current GLS student Toya Wallace was invited to feature three of her protest mixed media paintings in the juried art show Protest Signs: Projected Voices in the Community at UNC-Wilmington.
The exhibition was juried by Dr. Travis Williams and the Opening Reception will be held at the CAB Art Gallery Thursday, February 24, 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Dr. Williams will be presenting a virtual lecture at 6:00 PM.
Opportunities
The Disability Cultural Center
is currently seeking a graduate assistant to support the operation
of the Center. The Graduate Assistant paid position will consist of 12-15 hours per week.
To apply, please submit an application by Thursday, February 17, 2022. Sign in to Duke List for more information.
Master's students can join the Duke Career Center for a 5-week in-person series (February 22nd - March 22nd) dedicated to job searching led by career advisors! The group will meet each Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Registration is required to participate. Please do so by Friday, February 18th in Handshake. For more information and to register, click here.
The priority deadline for applications to Story+ is Sunday, February 20, 2022. Story+ is a 6-week paid summer research experience for Duke students interested in exploring interdisciplinary arts and humanities research topics and methodologies.
Story+ is co-directed by Jules Odendahl-James and GLS professor Amanda Starling Gould.
2022 GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS FOR RESEARCH IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Duke graduate and professional school students pursuing a masters degree may apply for brief periods of research on Latin America or the Caribbean. Funding is provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Application deadline for research in summer and fall is Friday, March 25, 2022. Click the link above for more info and to apply.
Monday, February 14 - Summer Registration begins
March 5-13 - Spring Break
Wednesday, March 16 - Deadline for initial submission of master's thesis for May 2022 graduation
Monday, March 21 - Fall Shopping Cart opens
Wednesday, March 30 - Thursday, April 7 - Fall Registration
Friday, April 1 - Final deadline to defend master's thesis for May 2022 graduation
Wednesday, April 13 - Graduate classes end
Thursday, April 14 - Sunday, April 24 - Graduate reading period
Friday, April 15 - Deadline for final submission of master's thesis for May 2022 graduation
Saturday, April 30 - Last day of the semester
Check out the links below for events happening across Duke.
Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI)
Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies (AAHVS)
Department of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (AMES)
Department of Gender, Sexuality & Feminists Studies
Department of International Comparative Studies (ICS)
- The Graduate Writing Lab offers regular accountability and catered feedback. Tuesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Bostock 121) and Wednesday, 3:00 to 6:00 pm (Bivins 207)
- The GPSC Duke Community Pantry is open to graduate students Saturdays 12:00 - 2:00 pm at the GPSC House.
- The Duke Student Assistance Fund was established to 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 Duke Career Hub offers career support, content, and resources.
- The International House (iHouse) is a home away from home for international students.
- New resource for reporting Harassment, Discrimination, and other concerns: An Interactive Guide for Graduate School Students
- COVID-19 updates for students are available on Duke's Coronavirus Response website.
- Graduate School-specific COVID-19 updates are posted here.
Follow Us
Call 919-684-3222 or email us at dukegls@duke.edu.