Forum and Exhibition on Multimodality in Multilingual and Intercultural Education

Date: November 1st, 2024
Time: 8:30 – 16:30
Zoom link:https://duke.zoom.us/j/98333636638

Join us for the Forum and Exhibition on Multimodality in Multilingual and Intercultural Education, co-organized by Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and Wuhan University (WHU) on November 1st, 2024. This exciting one-day hybrid event will feature guest talks, workshops, lightning talks, and a student work exhibition both online and in-person. Participants from DKU, WHU, The Ohio State University (OSU), University of Sydney (USYD), and more will explore how multimodality enhances multilingual and intercultural education. Don’t miss this chance to engage with scholars, share teaching practices, and discover student visual narratives on identity transformation.

For more information, visit: https://sites.duke.edu/mmie/

Student Report: Reading and Q&A with Megan McDowell

Report by Rebecca Combs, Class of 2025 & Photo by Ruixiang Hu, Class of 2027

On October 22th, 2024, the HRC welcomed American Literary Translator Megan McDowell for a book reading and Q&A. About 25 students and 4 faculty members attended.

Originally from Richmond Kentucky and currently residing in Santiago Chile, McDowell has translated many of the most important Latin-American writers working today, including authors such as Alejandro Zambra, Samanta Schweblin and Mariana Enríquez. McDowell has won two O’Henry Prizes for short stories of exceptional merit, which she won for her translated works. Her writing has been published in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and The New York Times magazine.

McDowell read from her newest work of translation: A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enríquez, an Argentinian author and journalist. Samanta Schweblin has described this book to be “a diabolical collection of stories featuring achingly human characters, whose lives intertwine with ghosts, goblins, and the macabre”.

Of the stories within the novel, McDowell read an excerpt from her translated version titled “Night Bird”, written under the influence of Mildred Burton, an Argintenian artist. The reading was filled with mesmerizing imagery, with combinations of folktale and trauma interweaved together to form a commentary on the roles of women and socialization.

During the Q&A, McDowell was questioned about the criteria she uses to choose books to translate. She described how she has a few authors who she works with over their careers, stating “the more we work together the more trust is built, now I am reading their works as they are writing them– the process is like an ongoing conversation”.

McDowell was asked whether it is possible for someone to simply know a language to be able to translate a book, and she provided DKUers with a poignant answer: “I don’t think it is enough to know the language at all, I think it is the first step”. She continued with “my approach to translation is that of a learner, I approach it with curiosity. I am not a native Spanish speaker, and I am always trying to learn more about the cultures and the language that I translate”.

McDowell also shared her personal experiences with translation errors to encourage aspiring translators to maintain an honest, ongoing conversation with their authors (should they be alive). Some other exciting topics of discussion during the event included her priority in translation, the danger behind the concept of “untranslatability,” and issues with mistranslation with examples from Deborah Smith’s translation of Han Kang’s The Vegetarian.

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!

Student Report on Reading Group for “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education”

Report by Yaxuan Wang, class of 2027 & Photo by Ruixiang Hu, class of 2027

On Friday, October 11, 2024, around 10 DKU faculty, staff, and students gathered for our second reading group session on “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education.” We were delighted to welcome both returning participants and first-year students for this engaging and thought-provoking discussion.

 

This session began with the “Word of the Day” activity focused on intersectionality. Zhenjie Weng and Yanan Zhao led participants in exploring how various aspects of identity—such as gender, ethnicity, and social class—intersect and contribute to unique experiences of privilege or discrimination. Participants reflected on their own identities through a personal exercise, highlighting how intersecting components can shape individual experiences.

 

The session’s main reading was Xia (2024), which examined intersectionality and discrimination among LGBTQ+ Asian international students in the U.S. education system. This study highlighted the additional layers of discrimination that LGBTQ+ students from East Asia face due to cultural conflicts, including internalized homophobia, while attempting to adjust to a new educational environment. Participants engaged in an insightful discussion about the cultural norms in East Asia that influence the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as how these norms intersect with racial and gender identities to complicate the experiences of students studying abroad.

 

The session concluded with a group activity where participants worked on creating scenarios that reflected the intersectionality challenges faced by LGBTQ+ international students. This hands-on approach helped foster a deeper understanding of the topic, encouraging participants to consider how educators can create more inclusive and supportive environments.

 

The event was organized by Zhenjie Weng, Assistant Professor of English Language Education, and Yanan Zhao, Senior Lecturer of English for Academic Purposes, from the Language and Culture Center, and was sponsored by the Humanities Research Center. Student worker Yaxuan Wang also contributed to the success of the event. Our next reading group session will be held on November 8, 2024.

GENDER + COMMUNITY BUILDING  

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on Gender and Community Building hosted by HRC GENDER STUDIES LAB. Our panelists will delve into topics surrounding gender dynamics, inclusivity, and community-building efforts.

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: The Water Pavilion
Dinner will be provided!

Panelists:

  • Professor Yeshim Iqbal
  • Professor Andrew Wortham

RSVP by October 21, 2024

Reading Group: “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education”

Reading Group: “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education”

Location: AB3107 (3C)
Date & Time: Oct. 11th, 12:00–1:00 PM

About the Event:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, and Justice (DEIJ) are vital topics in academia. While these issues are widely discussed, putting them into practice remains a challenge for educators striving to improve their teaching methods. It is essential to ensure educational materials and curricula are inclusive, relevant, and engaging for all students, while fostering safe and welcoming learning environments.

Lunch will be provided!

How to Sign Up?
Scan the QR code to access the reading materials.

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Weng: zhenjie.weng@dukekunshan.edu.cn
Prof. Zhao: yanan.zhao@dukekunshan.edu.cn

Student Report for “Gender + Labor” Event

By Xinyu Liao, Class of 2027

On September 24, 2024, a thought-provoking panel discussion focusing on the intersection of gender and labor was held by the HRC’s Gender Studies Lab in the Water Pavilion. The panel featured distinguished professors, including Sajida Tuxun, who researches female waitresses and caregivers; Nellie Chu, who studies gender in the context of fast fashion and migrant labor; and Jaehee Choi, who examines social policy and labor market dynamics. Together, they shared insights on the experiences of women in the service industry and the broader implications of social norms and policies. About 40 students and 10 faculty members attended.

 

Professor Sajida Tuxun opened the discussion by addressing the emotional labor expected of female waitresses, emphasizing the challenges of representation in a male-dominated workplace. She highlighted the unique regional characteristics of caregivers and the impact of high mobility and instability on their experiences, noting that current policies significantly shape working conditions for women in these roles. This foundation set the stage for a deeper exploration of gender dynamics in the workplace.

 

Building on Professor Tuxun’s insights, Professor Nellie Chu elaborated on how gender divisions influence access to private spaces and field sites. She discussed the subtleties of gendered language in the workplace, particularly the reluctance of women to publicly claim authority, which reinforces traditional gender roles. She examined the distinction between “work” and “labor,” pointing out how much of women’s labor remains invisible and unrecognized, particularly in wage relations. Her contributions underscored the pervasive challenges women face in asserting their identities and roles within professional settings.

 

Transitioning to a broader context, Professor Jaehee Choi contributed by discussing the “M-shaped curve” labor force participation of Korean and Japanese women, characterized by declines in employment after childbirth and subsequent increases as children grow older. She then discussed a recent South Korean policy to improve the low fertility rate, in which the government provided monetary compensation to households for their childbirth. However, researchers found that parents spent it to invest in their children’s private education rather than basic child-rearing expenses as initially intended. This analysis highlighted the highly competitive Korean society that may deter childbearing among married couples and emphasized the need for systemic changes to support working families.

 

The conversation then shifted back to the experiences of women in the service industry, with Professor Tuxun highlighting the early pregnancies of many young migrant waitresses. These early pregnancies often lead to conflicts between work and familial responsibilities, complicating their professional trajectories. She contrasted high-end caregivers, who receive better pay and have different requirements compared to traditional “保姆” (nannies), reflecting on the global dynamics of domestic labor. This discussion illuminated the nuanced realities faced by women navigating both professional and personal demands.

 

In closing, Professor Chu emphasized the importance of understanding what constitutes a reproductive body within the labor context. She discussed the complexities of bargaining in workplace relationships, illustrating how women’s labor often goes unrecognized despite being crucial to family and societal structures. This final point reinforced the need for a comprehensive understanding of women’s contributions to both the economy and the home, calling for greater recognition and support in addressing gender disparities.

 

To conclude, the panel provided a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted challenges women face in the labor market, revealing the need for policies that recognize and address gender disparities. The insights shared by the panelists sparked meaningful dialogue about the future of women’s labor in an evolving economic landscape, concluding with a call for further research and advocacy aimed at improving the working conditions and recognition of women in various sectors.

Superdeep Nighthawks: Saltburn (Fennell 2023) | Thu Sept 19, 8:08p

8:08pm  |  IB 1008
A seemingly 10-day long week… Classes on Friday and Saturday…  Join the Nighthawks for a spicy Superdeep midway break with Emerald Fennell‘s 2023 Saltburn  (…& food & drink).
Thu Sept 19, 8:08pm IB 1008.

***

Superdeep Nighthawks meet on Thu eve (~9pm till late); more info here. To propose a screening, follow this link; for more info on Superdeep generally, follow this one.

Superdeep is sponsored by DKU’s Humanities Research Center.

Student Report on the Workshop: “Casual Queering: Playing Chinese Gay Dating Apps Wrong”

By Nathan Franco, Class of 2028

On September 11th 2024, the HRC’s Gender Studies Lab welcomed visiting Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology Andrew Wortham to speak about his research project titled  “Casual Queering: Playing Chinese Gay Dating Apps Wrong.” About 35 students and ten faculty members attended.

 

Professor Wortham began by introducing various queer terms and analytical thinking along with a little description of his past venture(s) in Kunming, where he had the chance to study gay dating apps like “HeeSay,” previously known as “Blued.” The application “Blued” was usually downloaded by queer individuals with the “hard core” goals of finding romantic, sexual, or platonic relationships, however, as Professor Wortham showed, the people behind the scenes who worked for “Blued” had different goals, namely to encourage “at risk” individuals to get tested for HIV/Aids (Blued, like other dating apps, have a connection with the Centers for Disease Control).

Professor Wortham further discussed having worked “hand-in-hand” with one exceptional Kunming-based employee who constantly persuaded at-risk individuals to come to his office and get tested by using a more masculine or feminine way of communication in order to accomplish his “hard-core” goal.

Apart from these “hard core” goals, Professor Wortham established the term “playing” in context to gay dating apps.  Rather than viewing gay dating apps through an absolute (i.e. “hard core”) lens of finding a partner or for sexual engagement(s), the worker in Kunming used gay dating applications in the same manner as if he were playing a game. It did not have to be serious, so his conversations with users were typically mellow, dramatic, satire-filled, and comedic (“low stakes”). Users with their goals in mind usually kept the conversation going to fulfill time, reliving the stress and anxiety the app may have caused (through “play”).

 

However, entering some of these apps with romantic and sexual goals also comes with “normativity and discontent,” which can cause stress and make users want to uninstall the app. But in the end, they may find themselves reinstalling such apps because, as  Wortham explains, “play” in these interactions that are not purely sexual results in users deciding to interact again.

 

Professor Wortham describes casual queering as “[p]laying hard-core, normative dating app goals in a way that is not (at least temporarily) about accomplishing the goal, but instead joyfully filling time.” This means rather than using queer applications for the” hard-core” goal of finding a romantic or sexual partner; users are using them in the “wrong” way to engage in low-risk, fun conversations.

 

During the last 15 minutes, there was a Q&A session with Professor Wortham and the audience. Some of the questions asked were:

 

Q1: Is the HIV/AIDs status of a person posted on their profile?

A1: Yes, in some apps, you can opt-in to show your status and when you were tested. But this can come with a lot of problems because some people who are HIV+ would be unlikely to post their status visible because of discrimination and alienation.

 

Q2: After working at these queer app companies, how did workers get the right at-risk people to get tested?

A2: This is normally done through a manner of trustworthiness. People who were there and were willing to talk eventually led to a causal relationship, which led to getting tested.

 

Q3: Why are people at risk unwilling to be tested? What about the new 7-day drug that could prevent HIV?

A3: Some people are terrified about getting a positive result. There is a lot of stigmata/false information about how HIV is spread in addition to social isolation and the chance of being outed, which is why these companies encouraged people to speak with their families and friends, even going as far as providing a script.

 

Regarding the drug, as this is a new drug, many people, especially in rural areas, do not know that this drug exists. While some may fear being seen taking the drug or having the drug. Resulting in them not even getting the drug in the first place.

 

Q4: How is “play” different from flirting?

A4: “Play” often goes together with wasting time when you are bored. For example, one person known for being exceptional was contacted (by a queer app employee) in a playful manner, in which the whole office ended up playing a “game” in were other workers would share ideas of what to text back. There is always potential for conversations to become casual and playful.

“GENDER+ LABOR” Discussion Panel

We are thrilled to invite you to an insightful discussion on gender and labor, featuring a distinguished panel of professors who will share their expertise and perspectives on this important topic.

Date: Tuesday, 09/24
Time: 6:00 – 7:15 PM
Location: The Water Pavilion (Faculty discussions followed by Q&A)

Panelists:

    • Professor Jaehee Choi
    • Professor Nellie Chu
    • Professor Sajida Tuxun

The Gender+ Talk series delves into the intersections of gender with a variety of topics, offering rich discussions hosted by the HRC Gender Studies Lab. This series highlights DKU faculty whose research or teaching engages with gender issues. Past discussions have covered themes such as Gender+Language, Gender+Feminism, Gender+Household, and Gender+Mind.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore critical issues at the intersection of gender and labor. We look forward to your participation!

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance. Dinner will be provided!