Humanities Research Center Continues Online

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Duke Kunshan University is transitioning to online learning until the situation returns to normal. During this online period, the Humanities Research Center will take advantage of the high tech infrastructure developed at Duke University and Duke Kunshan University to continue its activities, ensuring that students and faculty can continue to advance the research mission of the university. Continue reading “Humanities Research Center Continues Online”

COVID-19 Memory Archival Project

The COVID-19 Memory Archival Project is an initiative from Duke Kunshan University’s Health Humanities Lab to create an archive of the community’s individual and shared experiences during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak utilizing ArcGIS StoryMaps, rich media and storytelling. We not only hope to preserve experiences through a memory archive, but also through personal narration, bring comfort, peace, reflection and healing to participating individuals. In times of anxiety and adversity, we retreat to an old human practice—storytelling—combined with online multimedia tools, to bring forth the human experience in times of crisis. Participants are encouraged to utilize an array of mediums including but not limited to video, audio, hyperlinks, interactive interfaces and GIS maps, paired with written text. The collected stories can provide a rich library and digital history that can act as source material for future reflection, research and project outcomes. Continue reading “COVID-19 Memory Archival Project”

The Coronavirus: Human, Social and Political Implications

(Image By Hao Zheng)

On Tuesday March 3, please join the Duke Kunshan University Humanities Research Center in partnership with the Franklin Humanities Institute for a panel on the human, social and political implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The seminar presents an opportunity for Duke Kunshan University and Duke University faculty and students to collaborate in a discussion about COVID-19 and share perspectives from China and around the world.

Speakers

  • Benjamin Anderson, Assistant Professor of Global Health, Duke Kunshan University
  • Benjamin Bacon, Associate Professor of Digital Media, Duke Kunshan University
  • Chen Chen, Duke University Undergraduate Student
  • Robert Delaney, US Bureau Chief, South China Morning Post
  • Ralph Litzinger, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Duke University
  • Andrew MacDonald, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Duke Kunshan University
  • Melanie Manion, Vor Broker Family Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Duke University
  • James Miller, Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Strategy and Co-Director of the Humanities Research Center, Duke Kunshan University
  • Yanping Ni, Duke University Graduate Student
  • Carlos Rojas, Professor of Chinese Cultural Studies; Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies; and Arts of the Moving Image, Duke University; and Co-Director of the DKU Humanities Research Center
  • Denis Simon, Executive Vice Chancellor, Duke Kunshan University

Continue reading “The Coronavirus: Human, Social and Political Implications”

The Religion of the Heart: Spirituality in 21st Century North America

Spirituality is the new cultural buzzword. Increasingly, North Americans prefer to call themselves “spiritual but not religious.” Yoga studios, and mindfulness programs, offering people help along their spiritual paths, are popping up left and right, and discussions of ‘spiritual intelligence’ are increasingly the norm. This talk will delineate and historicize the religious tradition that informs what goes by ‘spirituality’ today— a ‘religion of the heart’ that has ties to a religious legacy that has longstanding North American roots. Why is this religion of the heart so popular in late modernity, and what implications does its recent rise have for questions of community and societal wellbeing in liberal democracies? Continue reading “The Religion of the Heart: Spirituality in 21st Century North America”

Religious Texts in the Anthropocene: A Conversation on Interdisciplinary Integration

On Friday January 10, the Humanities Research Center welcomes Professor Mark Larrimore from the New School, New York City to give a presentation on Religious Texts in the Anthropocene and to enter into a conversation with HRC Co-Director James Miller.

IB1046: Friday 10 January, 2-3pm

Professor Larrimore is Associate Professor of Religion at the New School, and author of two important books about contemporary religion and politics. Continue reading “Religious Texts in the Anthropocene: A Conversation on Interdisciplinary Integration”

Hum/Animal: Undergraduate Humanities Research Conference Call for Papers

Please note that due to the uncertain health situation in China, the undergraduate humanities research conference has been postponed. We hope to hold the conference once the situation returns to normal.

Duke Kunshan University is pleased to announce its second Undergraduate Humanities Research Conference from March 13-15, 2020. Distinguished keynote speakers will speak on the conference theme of hum/animal.

Students may present papers on all topics broadly within the humanities and interpretive social sciences; they need not relate to the conference theme.

Panels will be formed around themes based on the applications. Continue reading “Hum/Animal: Undergraduate Humanities Research Conference Call for Papers”

DKU Humanities Research Center Announces Three New Research Labs

Starting January 2020, Duke Kunshan University will be launching three new research labs. The labs will enhance the research capacity and profile of Duke Kunshan University, and provide opportunities for research training for students. Students will be able to sign up for these labs starting in January and gain first hand research experience working with DKU’s top faculty.  Continue reading “DKU Humanities Research Center Announces Three New Research Labs”