Student Report on Gender + Feminism

Reported by Yixin Gu, Class of 2027

The Gender Studies Initiative hosted this discussion as part of their event series. Its primary subject was feminism.

On February 27th, 2024, Professors Lindsay Mahon Rathnam and Qian Zhu, along with 18 attendees, participated in this enriching dialogue on feminism in the Water Pavilion. The meanings of feminism and feminists were fully discussed in this event.

In terms of the reasons for choosing to be feminists, Professor Zhu explained that feminism encompasses everything related to women’s role, position, and everyday life. This bottom-up perspective is crucial if we are to pursue and achieve social justice. It is about the full flourishing of humanity, and we can always observe multiple feminist movements throughout history, such as those during the post-colonial and colonial periods.

When discussing why we still need feminism, Professor Rathnam emphasized the need to dialectically examine and answer history to better break free from the male-dominated realm. She also mentioned that the question of balancing life and work, which is often posed to outstanding women during interviews, is the most implicit manifestation of gender inequality. Women are capable of doing anything and balancing different aspects of their lives without being predetermined to excel in certain areas or being confined to the realm of reproduction.

Both professors noted that throughout history, for various reasons and through diverse processes and outcomes, feminist movements and feminist culture have always been occurring and developing. This is not a creation of modern Western society but is actually deeply rooted in all diverse world cultures. All cultures are about resilience.

After the presentations by the two professors on their perspectives on feminism, there was a lengthy question and answer session. Participants shared their questions and insights, discussing topics such as extreme male dominance in their upbringing environment, the media’s portrayal of gender, and women in religion. The professors also provided answers and engaged in discussions on these subjects.

One student shared her experience living in an extremely patriarchal and unfriendly country towards women, indicating the prevalence of “male-only” areas, and she couldn’t even gain a basic sense of security. She stressed that for that place, feminism means improving women’s health and wellbeing. Feminism takes different forms and contents globally, in fact, they should not be superior or inferior, and should not be opposed to each other, everything depends on specific environmental and historical factors. These statements derived from the professors.

In the realm of religion, the constraints and exclusion of women in Buddhism are brought up, while the comparison of different religions is also fervently discussed. The term “religious feminism” has sparked interest and discussion. In reality, women have the same religious needs and capabilities as men, and increasingly more people are attempting to re-interpret Buddhist scriptures and classics to give them new meaning, promoting gender equality and women’s liberation.

Either overtly or covertly, through exaltation or denigration, feminism permeates daily existence. Allow women to live the life they choose, despite external and patriarchal influences. For women, it is eternally a crucial global issue.

Chinese Female-only Script: Unveiling the Stories and Influence of女书(Nvshu)

Mar 20 | Lecture 5:00 -6:00 PM | Workshop 6:15-7:15 PM | IB 1047

Guest Speaker: Xiuyuan You Jiangsu Nvshu Cultural Ambassador, Dean of Wuxi Nvshu Academy, Associate researcher of Chinese Nvshu Research Center of the Wuhan University

Fascinated by a female-only script? Eager to unlock the secrets of 女书 (Nvshu)? Dive into an exhilarating lecture and workshop on Nvshu with us!

Please scan to RSVP for bubble tea and pizza and register for the lecture and workshop.

探索女书:中国女性独有文字的故事与影响


日期:2024年3月20日
时间:讲座 5:00 – 6:00 PM,工作坊 6:15 – 7:15 PM
地点:IB 1047

我们诚邀您参加由江苏女书文化大使、无锡女书学院院长、武汉大学中国女书研究中心副研究员尤秀渊女士主讲的讲座和工作坊。

尤秀渊简介:中华传统文化礼仪高级讲师、新古典礼仪高级指导师、江苏青年友好使者、江苏女书文化宣传大使、武汉大学中国女书研究中心副研究员、学校礼仪课程负责人、无锡女书书院院长

本次活动将深入探讨女书——一种由女性独创并使用的独特文字,分享其背后的历史故事及其独特的文化影响。

请扫码预约并注册讲座和工作坊,届时将提供珍珠奶茶和披萨。

Student Report on “Unpacking Civil Warfare: The First Indochina War, 1945-1954”

Reported by Zhenan Xie, class of 2026

During the mini-term session, on March 11st, the DKU Humanities Research Center invited Professor Edward Miller as the guest speaker of an insightful discussion focusing on his research topic about the first Indochina war. The lecture invited and guided nearly 40 participants to examine the ignored facts of this war usually defined as decolonization or part of the Global Cold War, revealing its essence as a civil war instead. Prof. Miller also used this case to help participants learn about the conclusional features existed in civil warfare.

Prof. Miller first introduced and summarized a few commons often applicable to sovereignty in civil wars, featuring divisible, fragmented, and layered. It was also pointed out that the behavior of claiming legitimacy often played significant role shaping such circumstance of sovereignty in civil wars as multi-level conflicts, including Civil wars: multi-level conflicts consisting of conflicts between warring parties, warring parties and civilian populations, and within local populations and communities. Then Prof. Miller led participants to go through the life experience of Colonel Jean Leroy, founder of UMDC, who was born in and excluded by Ben Tre Province. The story of Leroy helped prove that these existed phenomenon of Vietnamese-led army under command of French imperial governance, proving Prof. Miller’s view about The First Indochina War as a civil warfare. By this lecture an insightful topic was proposed that different understandings might be applied to a same historical event or period, depending on the aspects focused on and interpretations implemented from different perspectives. While exploring and unveiling the untold stories behind common view can help historians and the public have a more complete cognition of history.

The second stage of Q&A session involved enthusiastic participation by both students and professors in attendance. Various questions about the class topic and suggestions regarding the research content were put forward and Prof. Miller answered each of them in detail with extensive supplement of presentation to help participants better understand this complex chapter of history.

We’d like to express our sincere appreciation to Prof. Miller’s impressive presentation and engagement by every participant in attendance. With the loosened COVID policy, this lecture would be an exciting start of continuous activities held in person coming up in 2024. This discussion and insights shared in it is believed to contribute to laying the foundation of a series of lectures. We look forward to holding more activities on humanities research and engaging more students and faculties in the future.

Unpacking Civil Warfare: The First Indochina War, 1945-1954

Join us for an eye-opening discussion with Edward Miller as he unveils the untold stories behind Vietnam’s turbulent history. Discover how the conflicts from the 1940s to the 1970s were more than just wars of decolonization or part of the Global Cold War—they were brutal civil wars. Explore the intriguing intersection of colonial violence and civil warfare in Bến Tre, Vietnam, and gain a deeper understanding of this complex chapter in history.

Event Details:

  • Date: March 11, Monday
  • Time: 5 – 6 pm
  • Venue:IB 1047

Abstract: The wars that convulsed Vietnam and the rest of Indochina from the 1940s to the 1970s have long been narrated either as wars of decolonization or as components of the Global Cold War.   Recently, however, some Vietnam Studies scholars have pointed out that these conflicts were also bloody civil wars in which Vietnamese and other Indochinese groups inflicted enormous violence on each other. What, exactly, does it mean to treat these complex conflicts as civil wars? In this talk, Edward Miller explores the intersection of colonial violence and civil warfare in one part of Vietnam: the province of Bến Tre in the Mekong Delta.

Don’t miss out on this enlightening event! Join us and broaden your perspective on Vietnam’s past.

 

Superdeep Nighthawks: Exit Through the Gift Shop (Banksy 2010) | Thu Mar 7, 8:04pm

8:04pm   |   IB 1008

As you wrap up another cromulent session, let the Nighthawks & Banksy remind you to Exit Through the Gift Shop (…with food & drink).
Thu Mar 7, 8:04pm  IB 1008.

***

Superdeep Nighthawks meet on Thu eve (~8pm till late); more info here. To propose events or screenings, follow this link; for info on Superdeep generally, follow this one.

Superdeep is sponsored by DKU’s Humanities Research Center.

Student Report on “Health X Media: Sexual and Gender Minority’s Well-being & Social Media”

Reported By Dong Ding, class of 2026

On February 22nd, the Health Humanities Initiation hosted its inaugural seminar titled “Health X Media: Sexual and Gender Minority’s Well-being & Social Media.” The seminar was led by Jiahe Qian, a senior majoring in Global Health and Public Policy, with 16 other students participating. The focus of the discussion was on the health issues faced by sexual and gender minorities, exploring stereotypes and stigmas associated with these communities. Additionally, the seminar delved into how individuals express their sexual and gender identities on social media platforms and the impact this has on their health and well-being.

The seminar provided a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions about the intersection of health, media, and minority issues. It aimed to shed light on the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities and the role social media plays in shaping public perceptions and personal experiences. By examining these topics, the seminar sought to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding health and identity in the digital age.

Overall, the seminar was a successful start to the Health Humanities Initiative’s series of seminars, setting the stage for further exploration of important health-related topics in future sessions. If you are interested in leading the discussion on a health and humanities topic, feel free to contact Dong Ding, the student coordinator of Health Humanities Initiatives at dd275@duke.edu.

Gender + Feminism

Join us for a faculty workshop on Gender + Feminism led by Prof. Lindsay Mahon Rathnam and Qian Zhu. Explore diverse gender topics and feminist theory. Open to all interested in contemporary discourse and social movements. See you there!

Time: Feb 27, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Water Pavilion

Snacks & drinks will be served at the workshop.

“I found myself in this grey and dull city…”: Valery Pereleshin and the Russian poetry circle in wartime Shanghai

Tuesday, February 27  | From 3 to 4 pm  |CCT E4011

Join Professors Zairong Xiang and Caio Yurgel on a journey to explore:

Speaker:

Katya Knyazeva (Novosibirsk, Russia), is a historian and a journalist focusing on urban form, heritage preservation, and the Russian diaspora in Shanghai. She is the author of Shanghai Old Town. Topography of a Phantom City (Suzhou Creek Press, 2015 and 2018), among other publications. She is a Research Fellow at the University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy.

 

Superdeep #23: “Gender Orientation” (Nathan Hauthaler) | Feb 22, 8:04pm

6:04pm   |   LIB 2001

 

Join Superdeep for our first Workshop collaboration with DKU’s Gender Studies Initiative: Nathan Hauthaler will present on his research on “Gender Orientation”. Thu Feb 22, 6:04pm LIB 2001.

Snacks & drinks will be served at the workshop.

***

The Workshop is Superdeep‘s venue for philosophical work-in-progress research & practice. For more info or to submit proposals for the Workshop, follow this link; for more info on Superdeep more generally, follow this one.

Superdeep is sponsored by DKU’s Humanities Research Center.

Superdeep Nighthawks: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Buñuel 1972) | Feb 22, 8:04pm

8:04pm   |   IB 1008

With New Year’s & Spring Festival relishes still fresh in your memories, join us this week for Luis Buñuel‘s very topical 1972 Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie; …& food & drink).  Thu Feb 29, 8:04pm IB 1008.

***

Superdeep Nighthawks meet on Thu eve (~8pm till late); more info here. To propose events or screenings, follow this link; for info on Superdeep generally, follow this one.

Superdeep is sponsored by DKU’s Humanities Research Center.