Humanities for Humans: Irene Kacandes on the New Transatlantic Discussion Series

Over the last few years, the misuse of contested terms such as
“critical race theory” and “white privilege” have exacerbated
social rifts – especially since these terms are often
misunderstood or not clearly defined in the first place. What’s
to be done? Can we counteract polarization by creating a better
understanding of these concepts? Perhaps the answers lurk behind
the doors of a historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue in New
York City.


Founded in 2017 upon the initiative of the German Federal Foreign
Office and the Goethe-Institut, the non-profit organization 1014
– space for ideas aims to facilitate transatlantic relationships
through talks, performances, and exhibitions. Their latest
venture is the conversation series “Humanities for Humans,”
presented in collaboration with the Walter de Gruyter Foundation.
In eight virtual and in-person events over two years, renowned
scholars from a variety of disciplines and from both sides of the
Atlantic will take a deeper look at the polarizing issues of our
era.


According to Dr. Irene Kacandes, Professor of German and
Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College and curator of the
series, the lectures aim to bring out the “human” in the
humanities and to contribute to a level-headed debate among the
general public. In the run-up to the first event on September 27,
De Gruyter’s director of communications Dr. Pablo Dominguez
Andersen spoke to Irene about the origins of the series, the
vital role of the humanities in times of crisis, and her plans
for the future.


Link to the interview transcript on our blog De Gruyter
Conversations
https://blog.degruyter.com/humanities-for-humans-an-interview-with-irene-kacandes


More about "Humanities for Humans"
https://www.1014.nyc/humanities-for-humans 


More about the first event "Racism and Fascism: A Love Story" (27
September)
https://www.1014.nyc/events/humanities-for-humans-racism-and-fascism-a-love-story 


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