This month, we present a collection of 12 Duke-authored books documenting women's contributions to history, culture and society. These books, along with many others, are available at Duke University Libraries, the Gothic Bookshop or the Regulator Bookshop. Women and the War Story by Miriam Cooke In “Women and the War Story,” Professor Emerita miriam cooke charts the emerging tradition of women’s contributions to what she calls the “War Story,” a genre formerly… read more about 12 Duke-Authored Books on Women's History »
“This rich collection of archival footage and documentaries will shed new light on the events of the 1979 revolution in Iran...”— Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, Professor/Director, Department of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University More than four decades after the 1979 Revolution, we showcase the work of filmmakers who captured the atmosphere of the time. ‘A Revolution, Televised’ is a collection of documentaries by Iranian, European, and Arab filmmakers whose works explore the nexus… read more about A Revolution, Televised »
This presentation demonstrates the ways in which poetry can be integrated into second language learning so as to enhance students’ L2 language proficiency and cultural literacy. Utilizing the speaker’s own experience of having designed and implemented poetry-mediated Japanese courses at Michigan State University, this presentation provides concrete strategies for developing goal-oriented lesson plans, scaffold leaning activities, and assessing learning outcomes, which all synergistically support students’ acquisition of… read more about Integrating Poetry in Second Language Learning »
March 19 (Fri.), 8-10PM EDT David Der-wei Wang (Harvard), “Of Wind, Soil, and Water: The Mesology of Sinophone Southeast Asian Literature” Shuang Shen (PSU), “Mahua and Sinhua Literature as Inter-imperial Formation” March 25 (Thu.), 8-10PM EDT Kien Ket Lim (NCTU), “Deconstructing the Sinophone” Khor Boon Eng (UTAR), “Counter-discourse: The Strategy of the Minorities Representation in Sinophone Malaysian Literature” March 26 (Fri.), 8-10PM EDT Brian Bernards (USC), “The… read more about Between Mobility and Place-making: The Worlds of Southeast Asia in Modern Chinese Literature »
The Association for Asian Studies, the Committee for Teaching About Asia (CTA), and the 2021 Franklin R. Buchanan Prize for Curricular Materials Committee has accorded Kusum Knapczyk and Peter Knapczyk’s work, “Reading Hindi: Novice to Intermediate," an Honorable Mention. Here is the AAS newsletter https://www.asianstudies.org/aas-2021-prizes/ Kusum Knapczyk’s creative writing was awarded First Prize at the International Satire Writing Competition 2020, region: the Americas,… read more about "Reading Hindi" Wins Honorable Mention »
Student reflections on the Chinese Circle. Jerry Lin I thought the Chinese circle activity was really fun. We got to learn more about what student life in Taiwan is like, especially during a global pandemic. Their educational system is very different from the US ― different majors require different standardized test scores to be able to enter them. I think the coolest part of our conversation was listening to this Taiwanese student who grew up in Costa Rica, shuffled between many different schools growing up, and went to… read more about The Chinese Circle »
नमस्ते Come to the monthly half-hour language table to practice with your fellow students. This provides you with an opportunity to engage with and learn from others in a different environment. All abilities and levels of Hindi speakers are welcome. Enjoy your own chai and make new friends while practicing your Hindi. We will meet on the following Thursdays, January 28, February 25 and March 25, 2021 from 5:00-5:30 PM on Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting… read more about Hindi Conversation Club 2021 »
This hands-on workshop serves as an introduction to accessible puppetry styles and techniques that work well in film animation. We will be looking at 2D puppet fabrication and manipulation using tools and materials that are easy to find at home. We will also briefly touch upon camera and computer software tips and tricks. Participants do not need any prior puppetry, animation or illustration experience for this workshop. Myra Su is a puppetry artist based in Chicago. Her work includes experimentations with… read more about Animating with Puppets: A Workshop on Using Puppetry in Film Animation Jan 28, 12-1:30 PM »
Exploring Self and Community in Dark Times is a faculty-led discussion series for first- and second-year Duke students intended to stimulate debate about the effects of COVID-19 on ourselves and society. Registration is required, as each Zoom session is capped at only 16 students. Sessions are held on alternating Mondays at 7 p.m., beginning Feb. 1. Upperclassmen are also welcome to register and will be admitted if space is available. Explore the topics and register to attend: https://… read more about Exploring Self and Community in Dark Times »
January 28, 29, February 4, 5 7:00am—9:00am EST Between Mobility and Place-making: The Worlds of Southeast Asia in Modern Chinese Literature 在流动与地⽅创⽣之间： 现代华⽂与华⼈⽂学⾥的东南亚世界 Welcome! This e-workshop will be held online via Zoom. After your registration is approved, you will receive through email a Zoom link that will allow access to all four sessions. Feel free to attend the sessions that are of your interest. Prior to the event, please ensure that you have either… read more about Between Mobility and Place-Making: »
As part of its event series tgiFHI, the Franklin Humanities Institute is conducting interviews with its faculty speakers in order to familiarize broader audiences with the diversity of research approaches in the humanities, arts, and interpretive social sciences at Duke University. Dr. Fadi A. Bardawil is assistant professor of contemporary Arab cultures in the Department of Asian Studies and Middle East Studies. In this edited and condensed interview, he describes why translation and displaced meanings generate space for… read more about Meet Your Humanities Faculty: Fadi A. Bardawil »
Do you want to write your name in Hindi? Do you want to have a tattoo in Hindi or read signs in Hindi? The Hindi Program in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) is introducing a Hindi script workshop for students interested in learning Hindi or for students who already have listening and speaking skills, but want to improve their reading and writing skills. This workshop will cover the entire Hindi script. Event time: 3:00-6:00PM on Zoom. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U7wzwspK4IdVZwOG5C13kfJU-… read more about Hindi Script Workshop on Sunday, January 10 »
This month we offer a collection of Duke-authored books that explore historical and current aspects of faith, spirituality and religious culture in society. These books along with many others are available at the Duke University Libraries, the Gothic Bookshop or the Regulator Bookshop. The Bible With and Without Jesus by Marc Zvi Brettler What It's About: Professor Marc Z. Brettler and co-author Amy-Jill Levine take readers on a guided… read more about Eight Duke Books on Religion and Spirituality »
The U.S. State Department’s School of Language Studies categorizes languages according to how difficult they are for native English speakers to learn. There are four languages in Category IV, the highest: Arabic, Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese), Japanese and Korean. They typically require 2,200 class hours before a language learner reaches “professional working proficiency.” Category III—1,100 hours for professional working proficiency—includes languages like Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish and Urdu.… read more about Skilled Instruction Enables Language Mastery in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies »
This semester the students of Hindi 101 and Hindi 203 welcomed a special guest: poet and Bollywood lyricist Dr. Sagar, who conducted a workshop on Hindi poetry. His song "Bambai me ka ba?" is getting lots of media attention these days in India. Dr. Sagar started writing poetry at an early age and he shared lots of memories about his childhood when he was writing poems despite his financial situation. Nothing could stop him from fulfilling his dream to become a Bollywood lyricist. To prepare the class for his visit,… read more about Let’s Talk About Hindi Poetry »
Every semester, Kusum Ji always makes it her mission to provide students with fun and interactive activities to engage in the Hindi language and its culture. This semester was a little bit different due to the virtual environment of classes. Nonetheless, Kusum Ji made the impossible possible this semester with a virtual dance class with Rohini Thakkar from the Duke India Initiative. Rohini Ji has her own dance studio here in Cary, North Carolina where she specializes in Bollywood dancing. She has even choreographed and… read more about Bollywood Dance in Hindi Class »
A few weeks ago, our Hindi 203 class took a journey back to India to cook one of the tastiest dishes known to mankind: Vegetable Pulav (सब्ज़ी पुलाव) - a dish consisting of soft rice mixed with many vegetables. In previous semesters, our cooking days were filled with excitement. Our class would walk over together from west campus listening to some Bollywood music to get us into the festive mood. Walking into the kitchen at the John Hope Franklin Center, we’d smell a handful of aromas from chai to butter paneer. This… read more about Cooking Class in Hindi »
Workshop on Chinese Science/fiction and Ecocriticism November 30, 9:30am—3:30pm Please register at: https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEocuChqzMiHdW4qRTZuZMd7tn54tXFsSmW read more about News: Workshop on Chinese Science/Fiction and Ecocriticism »
AMES announces newly published books by language program faculty. Kunshan Carolyn Lee (Chinese Program in AMES) et al. have published Acting Chinese: An Intermediate-Advanced Course in Discourse and Behavioral Culture. Acting Chinese provides a unique and modern approach to the acquisition of both cultural knowledge and language proficiency. Read more. Kusum Knapczyk (Hindi Program in AMES) and Peter Knapczyk (Urdu Program in AMES) have published their book Reading Hindi: Novice to Intermediate… read more about New AMES Authors »
Here are recently published and forthcoming books by Duke authors, from September and October: Marc Zvi Brettler, co-author: “The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently” Annotated Edition (HarperOne, Oct. 27, 2020) Avshalom Caspi and Terrie E. Moffitt, co-authors: “The Origins of You: How Childhood Shapes Later Life” (Harvard University Press) Samuel Fury Childs Daly: “A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime,… read more about New Great Reads from Duke Authors »
Alex Schnapp, a first-year associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, secured release on bond of an asylum seeker who fled Nicaragua due to threats and persecution he faced from government officials loyal to Daniel Ortega’s Sandinista regime. This man fled Nicaragua with his wife in mid-December of 2019 and was separated from his wife when they encountered immigration officers at the US–Mexico border. Alex appeared via telephone in Immigration Court and argued that this individual had a legitimate asylum… read more about AMES Alumni Alex Schnapp: A Small Victory in a Larger Fight »
AMES welcomes three new faculty members: Sarah Baker, Assistant Professor of the Practice; William Carroll, Postdoctoral Associate; and Eli Sperling, Postdoctoral Associate. Sarah Baker has a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (with a specialty in Hebrew Bible/Ancient Near East) from the University of Texas at Austin, where she taught both Biblical and Modern Hebrew for several years and received the student-nominated “Foreign Language Teaching Excellence Award.” William Carroll is a scholar of Japanese… read more about New Faculty in AMES! »
Vinod Kumar Shukla has long been recognized as one of India’s foremost writers with his unique stories that deal with 'smaller-than-life people.' Satti Khanna, who has translated a number of Vinod-ji's works into English, speaks with writer and translator Mohini Gupta about his remarkable-yet-mundane world, the startling originality of his voice and syntax, and the experience and challenge of translating him. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klAnuci_pC4 read more about AMES Professor Satti Khanna discusses the writing of Vinod Kumar Shukla »
Mbaye Lo, associate professor of the practice of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, wrote an opinion piece for Medium.com regarding the murder of George Floyd: "Most commentaries on the brutal murder of George Floyd have been concerned with the politics of policing. But the observed evidence at the scene of Floyd’s death indicates a need to cultivate an ethical culture in policing. Derek Chauvin’s callous expression and other officers’ indifferent attitude to the heartfelt pleas of both the victim and the citizen… read more about “I Can’t Breathe” is About Ethics, Not Politics »
We are very proud to announce the Fulbright recipients from AMES, along with their countries of study and project titles: Allison Geary, senior: Bahrain, English Teaching Assistant Jessica Marlow, senior: Taiwan, National Taiwan University Award in Global Health Andrew Tsai, senior: Taiwan, English Teaching Assistant. The Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars,… read more about Congrats to AMES Fulbright Recipients! »
Watch videos from faculty and students, as they congratulate the recent graduates of the Class of 2020. From Faculty From Graduates Anisa Khalifa, a 2020 graduate of the Critical Asian Humanities (CAH) program, offers words of congratulations and best wishes to her fellow students. Natasha Rothenbucher, who graduated with high distinction with a… read more about Congratulations, Class of 2020! »
Greetings to our graduates and their families on behalf of the AMES department faculty and staff from Durham! The class of 2020 deserves special commendations for their accomplishments. We greatly admire your tenaciousness, determination and strength in making it to the finishing line in the midst of an unprecedented global crisis. We empathize with you for feeling the brunt of this pandemic during what should be the pinnacle of your time at Duke. You should have faith that you will all emerge as wiser, more mature and… read more about AMES Chair Marking the Moment 2020 »
Congratulations to the following student award winners from Duke University units in 2020. African & African American Studies John Hope Franklin Award for Academic Excellence: Elizabeth DuBard Grantland Karla FC Holloway Award for University Service: Beza Gebremariam Mary McLeod Bethune Writing Award: Jenna Clayborn Walter C. Burford Award for Community Service: Kayla Lynn Corredera-Wells Art, Art History & Visual Studies… read more about Student Honors and Laurels for 2020 »
DURHAM, N.C. -- Eighteen Duke students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright placements to teach English, study and do research abroad during the 2020-2021 academic year. The Fulbright US Student Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, offering opportunities in over 140 countries. The Fulbright award is designed to facilitate cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. The awards are announced on… read more about Eighteen Duke Students And Alumni Awarded Fulbright Scholarships »
AMES Chinese Language Lecturer Yan Liu has received the Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Award. This award annually recognizes one community partner, one faculty member and one graduating senior for their outstanding commitment to the ideals of service-learning. More info here. read more about Duke Service Learning Award »