Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has invited its faculty to submit proposals for the creation of new research initiatives on campus.Following the successful launches of the SPACE Initiative and the Society-Centered AI Initiative, the Trinity Research Initiative will support new directions for interdisciplinary research through seed funding for nascent research collaborations, community-building, and complementary educational and outreach activities.Open to all areas of research and… read more about Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Invites Proposals for New Research Initiatives »
Join us for an engaging conversation with Moshtari Hilal, visual artist, writer, and author of Ugliness, and Dr. Paniz Musawi Natanzi of the University of Bern. Hilal’s book, praised by The New York Times as “a sweeping meditation on a subject rarely addressed,” examines the cultural, political, and personal dimensions of ugliness through a transnational lens.Together, Hilal and Musawi Natanzi will discuss questions of beauty, race, migration, gender, and the aesthetics… read more about Reading and Conversation with Moshtari Hilal and Dr. Paniz Musawi Natanzi »
Colder weather means it’s time to curl up with a book. New readings from Duke authors include everything from a mystery and a middle-grade novel to books on privacy, hip-hop and fast fashion. Below is a roundup of some of the most recent and upcoming published titles. Many of the books, including new editions of previous titles, can be found on the “Duke Authors” display shelves near the circulation desk in Perkins Library. Some are available as e-books for quick download. Most can also be purchased through the… read more about Books for When There’s a Chill in the Air »
On November 19, 2025, Cate Knothe (T'24) and Ethan Grossman screened their documentary film, "Now It's a Strange House," at the Rubenstein Arts Center. Cate was a Cinematic Arts and German Studies double-major at Duke, who graduated with honors in 2024. There was a packed house at the Ruby, with students from Professor Kata Gellen’s German Confronts the Holocaust course in attendance, as well as many other students, faculty, and community members. The film interweaves recently captured digital footage and the 30-year-… read more about Documentary Screening: Now It’s a Strange House »
Join the Department of German Studies for pretzels, hot cider, cookies, and festive treats as we celebrate the end of the semester. Wednesday, December 3, 20254:00p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Old Chem. Lobby read more about Abschlussfest: End-of-Semester Celebration! »
As Halloween creeps closer, Duke students have more than just costumes and candy to look forward to — Trinity has a cauldron of classes brewed for spooky‑season scholars. If you’re ready to trade your pumpkin spice latte for something a little more spooky, gather your study group coven and prepare to summon your inner ghoul, because these classes prove that learning at Duke can be delightfully haunting. read more about Spooky Season 101: Courses to Get You in the Mood for Halloween »
On October 6, 2025, undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty from the German Studies Department came together to practice their handball skills in Brodie Upper Courts on Duke’s East Campus in an event organized by Carolin Jolitz, Lecturing Fellow of German Studies. The UNC-Chapel Hill handball team was generous enough to travel to Duke and teach the department the basics of the sport. This unique event allowed students and faculty to spend quality time together away from the classroom, get moving, and learn… read more about Rivalry challenged: Duke German Learns from UNC's Handball Team »
On September 26, a group of Duke faculty representing several disciplines gathered in person for the first meeting of the new “Teaching in the Age of AI” Faculty Learning Community (FLC), led by Jennifer Ahern-Dodson, Associate Professor of the Practice in the Thompson Writing Program, and supported by CARADITE. Attendees exchanged introductions and reflected on their attitudes toward generative AI — a mix of excitement and caution — and their motivations for joining this new venture. read more about Teaching in the Age of AI: A New Faculty Learning Community Takes Root at Duke »
Step into a world where history and gaming collide! Join us for CTRL + Kultur, an event that explores the cultural landscape of Germany through the lens of video games, interactive storytelling, and digital art. Discover how gaming has shaped and re-imagined historical narratives, from medieval legends to modern-day heroes. read more about CTRL + Kultur: Gaming Germany through History and Imagination »
Come practice your German in a fun and relaxed setting with fellow students and instructors. All levels are welcome – whether you’re just starting or already advanced, it’s a great way to connect and improve your skills! 🇩🇪☕️ read more about Kaffeestunde Special Edition! »
Introduction to Handball: Learn the basics of the game, including rules and strategies.Skill Practice: Work on your jumping, throwing, and overall game technique. Friendly Scrimmage: Put your new skills to the test in a fun and low-pressure game!Whether you're a beginner or just looking to sharpen your skills, this is the perfect chance to dive into the world of handball – and maybe pick up a few German phrases along the way!Open to all students – no experience necessary! Come for the fun, stay for the game! read more about Learn German Handball! »
Join us for a fun and relaxed Oktoberfest celebration!It’s a great chance to mix, mingle, and learn more about study abroad opportunities, including our Duke in Berlin program. Whether you’re curious about studying in Germany or just want to connect with fellow students and faculty, we’d love to see you there! read more about Oktoberfest! »
Join us for a public screening of Rheingold (2022), a powerful biopic by acclaimed director Fatih Akin, chronicling the life of Giwar Hajabi, also known as rapper Xatar.The film explores themes of migration, incarceration, trauma, and creative resistance through music, offering a compelling portrait of resilience and identity.Dr. Priscilla Layne will provide insights and lead a discussion following the screening. Download… read more about Film Screening: Rheingold (2022) »
The Office for Faculty Advancement has awarded seed grants to six new projects led by Duke faculty members. The theme for this grant cycle is “Deepening Engagement and Improving the Faculty Experience.”Faculty were invited to propose creative approaches to strengthening faculty communities and relationships; innovative initiatives to improve the culture in departments, centers and schools; and new faculty groups that deepen engagement on topics relevant to the faculty experience.The seed grant program will provide financial… read more about Trinity Faculty Join New Projects to Deepen Engagement and Improve the Faculty Experience »
In Spring 2025, Associate Professor of German Studies Kata Gellen took the students in German 443S, “Stories of Entrapment,” to New York City for a first-hand, immersive experience of German theater, literature and visual art. They attended a German-language production of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s Three-Penny Opera (Dreigroschenoper), saw an exhibit of manuscripts, photographs, and art related to the writer Franz Kafka, and saw an exhibit about the modern German art movement New Objectivity… read more about Students Reflect on German Art Through Stories of Entrapment »
Younghyun Hwang is a rising senior majoring in philosophy. He has been awarded the DSRF ($5000 grant) for his research project ‘Hegel, Nietzsche, and the Role of Reason in History’. In this project, he will compare how Nietzsche and Hegel assess the role of reason in bringing modernity. For Nietzsche, the overvaluation of reason is a cause for the impoverishment of human life in modernity. For Hegel, reason is a force of reconciliation which leads to the modern state. Yet both exhibit ambivalences. Nietzsche… read more about 2025 Dean's Summer Research Fellowship Recipient: Younghyun Hwang »
Established when Germany was still divided by a wall, Duke in Berlin has provided students with a truly immersive study abroad experience for nearly 40 years. Administered by the Global Education Office (GEO) and sponsored by German Studies, the program is available during both fall and spring semesters as well as the summer — with options to stay in the city anywhere from one semester to a year. Together with the team at GEO, Andrea Larson, Duke in Berlin’s academic director, ensures students are well-prepared… read more about When Berlin Is Your Classroom »
Grace Sorensen (T'24), a Cell & Molecular Biology and German major with a Chemistry minor, has been a Fulbright Research Scholar in the Gene Center Munich since September 2024. She studied with Duke in Berlin in fall semester 2022.Grace says about her time in Munich on her Fulbright scholarship: “I’ve loved my time in Germany so far! The research environment here is excellent, and I’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful people in my lab and through the Fulbright program. Munich is a beautiful city, and I’… read more about Grace Sorensen One of Duke's 15 Fulbright Scholars »
On February 23, 2025, students and faculty gathered for a lively and engaging German Election Watch Party, organized by Achim Schmid in collaboration with students from the Duke Election Exchange. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to experience the 2025 German federal election in real time, fostering discussions on politics, democracy and international perspectives.In preparation for the watch party, Achim Schmid led a teaching project with students in a 400-level German course, focusing on the German… read more about German Department Hosts 2025 Election Watch Party »
“When you fail, it's so easy to let it spiral into this judgment about you and your work and your value as a human. Sometimes we need to step back and recognize there are things beyond our control.” If there’s anyone qualified to talk about failure, it’s a Kafka scholar. That might be why Kata Gellen, associate professor of German Studies, is able to talk about her own failures with ease. One of her failures came in a particularly bitter flavor, though: rejection. After finishing a manuscript for… read more about Freedom to Fail: Turning Rejection on Its Head »
The Department of German Studies, in collaboration with Duke Election Exchange, invites you to join us for a watch party as Germany holds its 2025 federal elections (Bundestagswahl). This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with German politics and culture, providing insights into one of the world's most influential parliamentary systems.Attendees will have the chance to learn about key political issues, understand the German electoral system, and discuss the potential implications of the election results for… read more about German Federal Election Watch Party »
Spend your summer exploring one of Europe’s most dynamic cities while earning Duke credits! From museum visits to weekend trips, Duke in Berlin Summer offers an unforgettable mix of academics and adventure.Program Fast Facts:📆 May 16, 2025 - June 27, 2025📍 Berlin, Germany✅ 2 credits - no prior German required! Open to Duke and non-Duke students. ⏳ Apps close Feb 15! Apply now on the Global Education website. Meet Lily and Lara—two Duke students who loved… read more about Duke in Berlin Summer 2025 Program - Apply Now! »
Join us for an exciting opportunity to mingle with graduate students and faculty and learn more about study abroad in Berlin! Whether you're curious about academics or life in Berlin, this is your chance to ask questions, make connections, and get inspired! Food and drinks will be served! read more about Spring Semester Welcome Event! »
Technology and Poetics: Bertolt Brecht's Theater of the Scientific RevolutionIn the past, the topic of technology in the work of Bertolt Brecht has been discussed primarily in terms of "Neue Sachlichkeit" and Americanism. It was mostly left unmentioned that Brecht came across the question of technology precisely through his reading of Marx and that from this perspective it took on outstanding significance for him in both artistic and political terms. The lecture aims to trace these connections and in doing… read more about Guest Lecturer: Hans-Christian von Herrmann, Professor, Technische Universität Berlin »
Hitchcock’s German FlopThis lecture compares the two films that constitute Alfred Hitchcock’s first and only dual-language film project. He released Murder! (1930) in English and Mary (1931) in German. Hitchcock scholars and the director himself have maintained that Mary was a flop because it was “too English” for the German screen. A focus on the thematization of the voice, gender, and race permits an examination of the significant discrepancies between the two… read more about Guest Lecturer: Olivia Landry, Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University »
What's the Fear of Fear of Fear? Another Look at R.W. Fassbinder's Middle Period Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Fear of Fear (1975), the prolific and revolutionary director’s twenty-third feature-length film, was promoted as a “case study” – it presented itself to viewers as an examination of a middle-class homemaker’s recurring panic attacks, her dependency on valium, and, eventually, her nervous breakdown. The film is rarely mentioned alongside Fassbinder’s more renowned works, and, at the time of… read more about Guest Lecturer: Brad Prager, Professor, University of Missouri »
Music Technology Innovation Matthias Strobel will examine the constant innovation brought to the music ecosystem by artists, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Emerging technologies have changed the entire value chain of music. From composition to production, distribution and curation to consumption. Technically, a musician nowadays could go all the way along the value chain without any intermediates involved. This is also the case for consumers. Music is accessible for everyone from everywhere.With the fast development… read more about Guest Lecturer: Matthias Strobel, President & Founder, MusicTech Germany »
Drop by and meet with multilingual faculty, staff, and students!Enjoy snack and pick up some cool swag! read more about Multilingual Duke! »