GLS eNews September 07, 2023
GLS Update September 07, 2023
Letter from the Director
Happy fall semester, GLS students!
I was delighted last week to welcome 15 new students into our ranks! Learn more about these wonderful colleagues here. Although each student’s motivations and specific plans for their time in GLS are unique, there are significant overlaps in some of their interests, and I look forward to seeing them (you!) grow over the next several years.
This fall marks the start of my fifth year as the GLS Director. In these strange and dynamic times, each year has had a very different character and mood. Although COVID-19 still lurks, I sense that we have settled into a rhythm blending ongoing caution with needed normalcy. See what you glean about the mood from the Fall ‘23 edition of our new student GLS Spotify playlist -- favorite songs of the moment suggested by incoming students (with contributions from our staff as well). Check it out, and see if you can figure out who nominated which song.
We also welcome a new instructor to our community this fall. Historian Dr. Dean Bruno joins his colleague from Trinity academic advising, Dr. Rachael Murphey, in our fall teaching ranks. Dr. Murphey is again teaching Race, Adoption, and Foster Care – a crucial course interrogating aspects of public and social policy as they intersect with notions of family.
Dr. Bruno, meanwhile, shares my interest in the national parks and brings us a new course this fall in Environmental History of the American South. This course kicks off what looks to be a timely thread of courses this year engaging human interaction with our natural world, biodiversity, and climate change. Stay tuned for more on Spring and Summer ‘24 in future issues.
Drs. Bruno and Murphey join long-time GLS instructor and Advisory Committee member Dr. Amy Laura Hall, who is debuting a workshop-style course built around her current book project related to Muscular Christianity. Here, Dr. Hall will pull back the curtain on the scholarly writing process as students will work with her on her manuscript-in-process.
One sign of greater “normalcy” this fall will be our staff’s goal of creating a more predictable presence at GLS House. Although we will all continue – individually – to work the hybrid schedules that we have found better accommodate to professional focus and life-work balance, we will have the GLS House open regularly on Monday – Thursday each week from 10 am to approximately 5:00 pm. With GLS courses being taught at GLS each Monday through Thursday evening, there will be life at the house after 5:00 most days as well. Please drop by! The second-floor student lounge is yours to use, along with both porches, of course.
My in-house office hours will be on Tuesday and Wednesday each week, with Malina present on Mondays and Wednesdays, Kent on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Lisa on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All GLS staff will be at the house each Wednesday afternoon, as that is our regular staff meeting time. Accordingly, we will host upcoming GLS Porch Sittings on several Wednesday afternoons starting at 4:00 p.m. (more on those below).
As always, if you have an urgent need to see someone in particular, please reach out by email in advance to set a specific time and plan to meet.
Here’s to a great fall for everyone!
Warmly,
Anne
Welcome Fall 2023 Cohort!
GLS is proud to welcome the Fall 2023 Cohort! We are honored to add such bright, diverse, and distinguished students to our community. We had a lovely orientation dinner to get to know one another. Find out about the new cohort and listen to the student-curated Spotify playlist on our GLS Fall 2023 Cohort website.
New Students Hike the Eno
On the morning of Thursday, August 25, four intrepid students participated in the second-annual GLS Orientation Week Hike, in Eno River State Park in northern Durham. They spent a pleasant hour and a half walking 2.4 miles with Assistant Director Kent Wicker along the Cole Mill and Bobbit Hole trails. They saw some flora and fauna and had a lot of good conversations. Everybody survived. They were happy to experience the local Durham area and to get to know each other better as well.
Opportunities
TGS Professional Development Workshops for Master's Students
The Graduate School (TGS) offers several workshops specifically designed for students in master’s programs as part of the Professional Development Series. Click the link in the title or image for more information.
Responsible Conduct of Research Forums
All master's students are required to complete one RCR forum in addition to those presented at Orientation (GS 714 and 715). Complete your RCR requirements early so you don't have to worry about them later! See the fall RCR forum schedule here.
Student News
Kelly Davis goes live!
As GLS student Kelly Davis worked on his master's project, he realized that he had something to share with the world. That's when his podcast was picked up by Aquarium Drunkard, an eclectic audio journal focused on daily reviews, interviews, features, podcasts, and sessions. Listen to Kelly's project here, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
Stay tuned for next time, when we'll feature even more student highlights! If you have news you want to share, please let us know!
Upcoming GLS Events
Master's Project Planning Session
Sunday, September 17, 2:30 - 4:30 PM (via Zoom)
The Fall 2023 Master’s Project Planning Session (MPPS) is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17.
This info session lays out all of our expectations -- the possibilities and parameters -- concerning the GLS master’s project. We will also review the timeline of prerequisites you must complete before your project semester, and study some actual master’s project proposals to see how they work.
The MPPS is required for all students during the semester of their fifth (full-time students) or sixth (part-time students) course. If you are at that point in your GLS career and have not yet attended the MPPS, you will want to register for this workshop. If you have attended an MPPS session in the past, but want a refresher, you are welcome to join us.
We will meet by Zoom. You can register using this Zoom link. If you have any questions, contact Kent at kent.wicker@duke.edu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLS House Porch Sittings
Our much-beloved GLS Porch Sittings are back! These gatherings are informal opportunities for all those in the GLS community to gather and make connections - old and new. Light refreshments are provided.
Wednesdays, September 13, October 4, October 25, 4:00-5:30
Friday, September 8 - Drop/Add ends
Sunday, September 17 - Master's Project Planning Session via Zoom
Friday, October 13 - 7:00 PM Fall break begins
Saturday, October 15 - Deadline to Apply for December Graduation
Wednesday, October 18 - Classes resume
Monday, October 23 - Shopping Carts open for Spring 2023
Wednesday, November 1 - Registration. begins for Spring 2024
Friday, November 15 - Proposal meeting deadline (for Spring projects; contact GLS early in the semester with supervisor availability)
Monday, November 20 - (optional) Proposal Workshop via Zoom
Friday, November 30- Proposal submission deadline (for Spring projects)
For more important Duke Registrar dates, see the Current Academic Calendar.
Check out the links below for events happening across Duke.
Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI)
Department of African & African-American Studies (AAAS)
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.
If you have news, opportunities, events, or other resources that you would like to include in the GLS Biweekly Update, please email malina.chavez@duke.edu.
Call 919-684-3222 or email us at dukegls@duke.edu.