Lecture: Western Feminism and Its Analytics in Neoliberal Times
Date: Thursday, November 7th
Time: 11 AM BJT
Zoom ID: 261 330 4845
Location: IB 1047
Lecture Overview:
The talk will explore how Western Feminist theorists and social scientists have moved away from the Marxist tradition, particularly at the turn of the century, just when Marxist intellectuals began critically examining the relationship between various late 20th-century post-isms (poststructuralism, post-industrialism, postmodernism) and the rise of neoliberalism. This shift has led to a focus on micro-level perseverance and struggles of the underprivileged, moving away from larger structures of domination and exploitation.
Krylova will discuss how these changes have de-scaled and de-radicalized key categories like power, resistance, and agency, with lasting consequences on feminist scholarship.
About the Speaker:
Anna Krylova is an expert in historical and social theory, gender theory, and Marxism, with a focus on modern Russia and feminist theory. She is the author of Soviet Women in Combat: A History of Violence on the Eastern Front, which won the 2011 AHA Herbert Baxter Adams Prize. Her current book project, History-Writing or Sleepwalking Through History in Neoliberal Times, reexamines American historians’ engagement with poststructuralism.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with cutting-edge feminist theory and its intersections with Marxist thought!
Congratulations to Professor Ben Van Overmeire on his book, American Koan: Imagining Zen and Self!
Congratulations to Professor Ben Van Overmeire on his publication of American Koan: Imagining Zen and Self in Autobiographical Literature! This remarkable work explores how American Buddhists utilize Zen riddles to shape their identities.
The koan, a renowned East Asian spiritual exercise, serves as a thought experiment in the form of riddles or puzzles that Zen Buddhists use to attain enlightenment. Iconic examples include the questions, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” and “Does a dog have Buddha-nature?” Additionally, the provocative injunction “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him” challenges conventional understanding.
In American Koan, Professor Van Overmeire examines the literary function of these ancient dialogues within the autobiographies of modern Western writers, including Natalie Goldberg, Peter Matthiessen, Philip Kapleau, and Ruth Ozeki. Through insightful analyses, he reveals the vibrant world of American Zen literature, addressing themes such as success and failure in Zen, the role of women in this traditionally patriarchal context, the integration of Zen insight with compassion, and the illusion of linear time. This critical yet empathetic study offers a captivating perspective on the journey of Americans becoming Buddhas.
For more information, please click here :American Koan – UVA Press (virginia.edu)
Migratory Ghosts Series: Open Call for Student Writing
Calling all writers with a creative (and optionally spooky) spark!
Submit 3-5 poems or 2-5 pages of prose to be judged by our visiting writers, Juli Min and Zhou Sivan. Winners from each genre will be selected to read alongside these acclaimed authors on November 22. Let your words linger and haunt us!
Bios: Juli Min is the author of Shanghailanders.
Zhou Sivan has published three poetry chapbooks: Zero Copula (Delete Press, 2015), Sea Hypocrisy (co-published by DoubleCross Press and Projective Industries, 2016), and The Geometry of Trees (Sputnik & Fizzle, 2022), exploring themes from poetic form to Malaysia’s policies on refugees and trees as metaphor.
Deadline: November 13, 2024
Submit your work to: yl984@duke.edu
Unleash your creativity—this is your chance to shine!
Around the City With Her Camera / 持摄影机的女性走在城市中
An Exhibition of Films by East Asian Women / 东亚女性影展
来自日本的井口奈己与大川景子——前者是有着感性且跳脱的笔触、履历丰厚的电影作者，后者是创作灵感十足、默默耕耘在日本电影界的资深剪辑师。两位导演从女性视角出发，分别以东京的世田谷区及港区为舞台，相互呼应但又风格鲜明地刻画出一组当代的东京风物诗。有着影像作者与都市研究学者双重身份的中国导演潘律，这次带来两部合作（分别与王博、荒木悠合作导演）作品。研究者的视角，使得她能以历史化的眼光去看待现代都市文化的形成与嬗变；而对影像生产与流通模式的深入思考，则使得她能以电影为媒介来细致体察光怪陆离的都市生活。来自韩国的青年作者洪多艺，自高中起就手执摄影机、记录着首尔高考学子们生活中的酸甜苦辣。她的作品以其友人与自身的经验为出发点，真诚刻画出个体在都市体系中的挣扎与抗争。
策展团队：沈念、杨眉、闻豪
(Curatorial Team：SHEN Nian、YANG Mei 、WEN Hao)
海报设计：林仪娟
Time： November 3rd &10th,1:00pm
地点：Duke Kunshan University
CCT East 2nd&3rd floor theater
时间：11月3日&10日 下午1:00
地点：昆山杜克大学社区中心 2楼3楼 剧院
Please find the specific schedule of screenings and activities at the end of the article
放映与活动具体时间表请见文末
艺术家与放映作品
Artists and Films
01
倒错的编年史：出/入亚洲之旅PAN Lu
潘律
ARAKI Yū
荒木悠
02
瘴气、植物、外销画Bo WANG
王博
03
HONG Da-Ye
洪多艺
04
有人在唱歌
注意左手IGUCHI Nami
井口奈己
05
OKAWA Keiko
大川景子
策展团队
Curators
SHEN Nian
沈念
SHEN Nian is an academic, curator and translator. She completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in film studies at Kyoto University, and has been serving as judge at Shanghai International Film Festival. She also lectured at Shanghai Theatre Academy, and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Shanghai Fudan University, and hosted the MasterClass of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival.
YANG Mei
杨眉
YANG Mei is a non-fitciton writer, film director, screenwriter and translator. She worked as a report editor at the fashion magazine, GQ China.
非虚构作家，电影导演和编剧，曾任《GQ智族》杂志报道编辑。非虚构作品有《上海爱情故事：一个老来单身的女人决定恋爱》、《耶鲁村官秦玥飞：权力的局外人》、《17岁CEO王凯歆：风口少女的神通与孤独》等；合译书著有《校园女孩、金钱与反叛》；电影作品《红娣》入围海外国际电影节。
WEN Hao
闻豪
Specific arrangements for screening&activities
放映与活动具体安排
日本国际交流基金会是日本唯一一所在世界各国及地区综合性地开展国际文化交流事业的专门机构。1994年北京日本文化中心作为日本国际交流基金会的北京事务所成立。为加深中日两国相互理解，基于以上理念，本中心在中国各地举办了多种多样的活动及事业。主要活动分为文化艺术交流、日语教育、日本研究国际对话三个领域。
The Humanities Research Center (HRC) at DKU promotes research and creative expression in the arts and humanities and encourages interdisciplinary efforts. Working in close partnership with Duke’s Franklin Humanities Institute, the HRC functions as a key research bridge between faculty and students at Duke and DKU.
dKunst Art on Campus at Duke Kunshan University (DKU) is curated by Professor Zairong Xiang to foster a critically engaged artistic ecosystem on campus and beyond.
The Gender Studies Lab funded by the HRC has offered invaluable support for this film exhibition.
How to get there？
交通方式
From Shanghai
从上海出发
- By High-speed Train: to Kunshannan Railway Station (17-26 minutes, ticket price ¥19~)
- 高铁：至昆山南站（17-26分钟，票价19元起）
- By Subway: taking Shanghai Metro Line 11 to Huaqiao Station, then transfer with Suzhou Rail Transit Line 11 to Zuchongzhigongyuan Station or Kunshanwenhuayishuzhongxin Station
- 地铁：上海11号线至花桥站，同站换乘苏州轨道交通11号线至祖冲之公园地铁站或昆山文化艺术中心地铁站
From Hangzhou
从杭州出发
- By High-speed Train: to Kunshannan Railway Station (72-86 minutes, ticket price ¥78~)
- 高铁：至昆山南站（72-86分钟，票价78元起）
From Suzhou
从苏州出发
- By Subway: taking Suzhou Rail Transit Line 11 to Zuchongzhigongyuan Station or Kunshanwenhuayishuzhongxin Station
- 地铁：苏州轨道交通11号线至祖冲之公园地铁站或昆山文化艺术中心地铁站
Registration channel
报名通道
DKUers Scan Here：
For off-campus participants:
校外报名通道
致谢：编辑/排版｜浩 然, 校对｜邱 邱
排版｜吕潇航
Exploring the Digital Archives of the English East India Company
Time: Thursday, October 24, 12 noon – 1 pm
Location: LIB 1115
Presenter: Titas Chakraborty
Join Us for an Engaging Workshop: Exploring the Digital Archives of the English East India Company with Prof. Titas Chakraborty!
Discover the rich resources of the British Library and learn how to effectively navigate the digital archives of the English East India Company. This workshop will cover:
- Exploring the British Library website
- Utilizing various guides for research support
- Discussing related research questions
Don’t miss this chance to explore the past through a modern lens!
Food will be provided!
Congratulations to Professor Emily McWilliams for her Contribution to the Balkan Analytic Forum Publication Series!
The Humanities Research Center is delighted to celebrate Professor Emily McWilliams’ participation in the inaugural volume of the Balkan Analytic Forum’s (BAF) publication series. Professor McWilliams Co-Edited the volume with Professor Miroslava Trajkovski from the University of Belgrade, who directs the Balkan Analytic Forum. As the volume’s Co-Editor, Professor McWilliams played a vital role in shaping a collection of essays that delve into themes from the forum’s inaugural conference series, including BAF I: Normativity and BAF+: Normativity of Art. Professor McWilliams notes that these essays highlight the diversity and depth of analytic philosophy’s approach to normativity, offering valuable insights that resonate across various philosophical traditions.
Professor McWilliams expressed her enthusiasm for this project, noting how meaningful it was to work on this volume as a philosopher at a Sino-American joint venture institution with a global outlook. The mission of the Balkan Analytic Forum, which emphasizes the historical and cultural embeddedness of intellectual traditions while fostering global dialogue, aligns perfectly with Duke Kunshan University’s own commitment to rooted globalism. You can access the electronic version of the publication here: Balkan Analytic Forum – Normativity 2024.
In addition to her editorial work, Professor McWilliams was honored with two prestigious speaking engagements at the University of Belgrade this month. She delivered a keynote address at the 2nd Annual Balkan Analytic Forum Conference, titled “Hijacking and Relational Intellectual Humility in Collective Inquiry”, and presented an invited lecture on “Inquiry and Epistemic Injustice”. To access the video, please click the following link: Instagram Reel.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor McWilliams for her outstanding contributions and for advancing global scholarly exchange in the field of analytic philosophy!
Migratory Ghosts Series: Open Call for Student Works
Calling all writers with a creative (and optionally spooky) spark!
Submit 3-5 poems or 2-5 pages of prose to be judged by our visiting writers, Juli Min and Zhou Sivan. A winner from each genre will be chosen to read alongside them on November 22. Let your words haunt us!
Bio:
Juli Min is the author of Shanghailanders.
Zhou Sivan has published three poetry chapbooks, which address poetic form (Zero Copula, Delete Press, 2015), Malaysia’s policies on refugees and migrants (Sea Hypocrisy, co-published by DoubleCross Press and Projective Industries, 2016), and trees as metaphor (The Geometry of Trees, Sputnik & Fizzle, 2022).
Deadline: November 22, 2024
Send your submission to: yl984@duke.edu
Should We Care About The Future?
Should We Care about the Future? Vasubandhu on Selfless Agency and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Location: Vigne, 1221-1 Changle Lu , Shanghai, China
Time: October 26th, 4:00-6:00 pm
Professor Oren Hanner will give a lecture in Shanghai on October 26 sponsored by HRC and the Royal Asiatic Society. Members of the DKU community can register at a discounted rate using a valid @dukekushan.edu.cn email address.
Buddhist philosophy is well known for its rejection of an enduring self that exists beyond the various mental and physical components that make up a person. This rejection, however, raises a host of difficulties—both philosophical and practical. For example, if this is the case, how and why should Buddhists careabout their future happiness? If there is no enduring self that persists from past to present to future, should we worry about whether the outcomes of our actions produce happiness for ourselves in the future?
In this talk, Professor Oren Hanner of Duke Kunshan University introduces the Buddhist critique of the self that underlies this problem. The talk then discusses the way in which the Indian thinker Vasubandhu (c. 4th-5th century CE), one of the founders of the Yogācāra school of Buddhist philosophy, explains the possibility of agency in the absence of a persisting self and his solution to the problem of our motivation to act for our own future happiness, given that the Buddhist path prescribes non-attachment to the self and letting go of desire.
Speaker’s Bio:
Oren Hanner’s research focuses on the history of Buddhist philosophy inIndia, ethics, philosophy of action, and cross-cultural philosophy. His recent writing dealt with questions related to the meaning of life, joint moral agency, and justice, as they can be understood from a Buddhist perspective.
Oren is the editor of Buddhism and Scepticism: Historical, Philosophical, and Comparative Perspectives (Projekt Verlag, 2020) and has published articles in various journals, including Sophia, Comparative Philosophy, Philosophy East and West, and Mindfulness. From 2019 to 2023, he was the book review editor of the Journal of Buddhist Ethics.
Oren holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and communication from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, an M.A. in philosophy from Tel-Aviv University, and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Hamburg.
Register now: https://ras-china.glueup.cn/event/ras-philosophy-club-oct-26-should-we-care-about-the-future-45311/
Migratory Ghosts Series: A Reading By Megan Mcdowell
Megan McDowell has translated many of the most important Latin American writers working today, including Alejandro Zambra, Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Enríquez, and Lina Meruane. Her translations have won the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the English PEN award, the Premio Valle-Inclán, and two O. Henry Prizes, and have been nominated for the International Booker Prize (four times) and the Kirkus Prize. Her short story translations have been featured in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, McSweeney’s, and Granta, among others. In 2020 she won an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, She is from Richmond, KY and lives in Santiago, Chile.
Zooming in from New York, Megan McDowell will read from her newest work of translation, A Sunny Place for Shady People, by Mariana Enríquez. “A diabolical collection of stories featuring achingly human characters whose lives intertwine with ghosts, goblins, and the macabre, by ‘Buenos Aires’s sorceress of horror.’ ” (Samanta Schweblin, The New York Times). The reading will conclude with a Q&A. Bubble tea will be provided.
Please RSVP here: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6saDBs3eAJRUZeK
Student Report on US-China Relations Symposium
Report By Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027 & Photos by Ruixiang Hu, class of 2027
On October 11, 2024, DKU’s AB1079 was buzzing with discussions as around 15 faculty, staff, and students gathered for the US-China Relations Symposium. This event brought together a diverse group of scholars and students eager to dive into one of the most critical global relationships of our time. From deep historical analyses to cutting-edge geopolitical debates, the day was packed with engaging sessions that left everyone reflecting on the complexities of Sino-American dynamics.
Opening and Morning Research Presentations
Prof. Erez Manela from Harvard University began the morning session with an exploration of how racial equality movements following WWII influenced global diplomacy, particularly in the context of US-China relations. His insights into the role of racial dynamics within international organizations sparked a lively conversation among attendees.
Shifting focus to China’s internal strategies, Prof. Peter E. Hamilton of Lingnan University examined the country’s adoption of scientific management post-1978. He highlighted how these management practices contributed to China’s economic rise and their continued influence on international relations today.
Offering a different angle, Prof. Ivan Willis Rasmussen from NYU Shanghai challenged the common narrative of a “New Cold War” between the US and China. His thought-provoking take invited the audience to reconsider whether this term accurately describes the current geopolitical situation.
As the only Chinese speaker here, Prof. Ariel Shangguan of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University delved into the epistemological differences between the two nations, exploring how contrasting approaches to knowledge shape policy-making. Her talk encouraged reflection on the deep-rooted cultural distinctions that impact global relations.
Turning the conversation towards the Middle East, Prof. Gürol Baba from the Social Sciences University of Ankarahighlighted China’s expanding influence in the region. He drew comparisons between China’s diplomatic efforts and the US’s traditional dominance, particularly focusing on China’s role in brokering Saudi-Iran relations.
Closing the session, Prof. Zach Fredman from Duke Kunshan University provided a historical perspective, focusing on US military rest and recreation during the Vietnam War. His analysis uncovered the often-overlooked effects of military policy on US-Asia relations, adding a unique historical layer to the day’s discussions.
Afternoon Discussions and Workshops
After lunch, the event moved into more interactive sessions. During the syllabus workshop, faculty discussed ways to improve how US-China relations are taught, with an emphasis on making the curriculum more interdisciplinary. There was a lot of excitement as professors shared ideas on how to bring fresh perspectives into the classroom. The following pedagogy session focused on connecting academic learning with real-world experiences. Professors shared examples of integrating current events, internships, and co-curricular activities into their teaching, sparking practical discussions on how to make learning more dynamic.
Wrap-Up and Reflections
By the end of the symposium, participants left with a sense of accomplishment and curiosity. The discussions had raised more questions than answers, highlighting the complexities of US-China relations. The event showcased the dedication of both faculty and students to understanding this vital relationship, making it a memorable and thought-provoking day.
Special thanks go to all the professors, students and the workers whose contributions made this symposium a success.
