Students in Duke Kunshan’s undergraduate degree program declare a major toward the end of their second year, providing them the time to explore a diverse range of interests. Hajra Farooqui ’22 from Lahore, Pakistan, explains her reasons for choosing ethics and leadership (religious studies track).
Hajra Farooqui ’22 (fourth from right) and classmates enjoy a trip to the Great Wall in Beijing
What major did you have in mind when you enrolled at DKU?
I was interested in exploring literature within the majors of global cultural studies and U.S. studies. Literature and creative writing remain overlooked subjects in Pakistan, and although people study it at some point in their education, it is an unpopular major. Reading, writing and the love of books are something that I was, and still am, passionate about, and the thought of it being a potential major was exciting. I had already had an opportunity to study literature in high school, but I had never seriously considered majoring in the subject. The curriculum at DKU allows a lot of room to try and to test out different fields of study, and I was motivated to make good use of that.
What DKU courses do you feel have had the greatest impact on you?
My courses have been a highlight of my experience at DKU. Over the past two years, I have taken several diverse classes, and most of them have played a pivotal role in me finding out more about myself and gaining a better understanding of what I want to do in the future.
A course that I took in my first year that will stay with me is CULMOVE 101 Cultures of Globalization with professor Nellie Chu. It is an interdisciplinary course rooted in anthropology and history among other fields. In that course, we traced the historical accidents and movements in the past that allowed for the existence of the global world we live in today. We covered a range of topics such as the advent of cartography, the spice and sugar trades, colonialism, borders, and the Atlantic slave trade. I thought the class was magical, and it allowed me to learn about new areas of study as well as themes I was already interested in, like colonialism, women in the workspace, and nationalism. I took this course solely because the course title was intriguing, and it paid off.
Another course that I took purely out of chance was RELIG 204 The Problem of Evil with professor Daniel Stephens. This course is probably the one in which we had the most charged discussions on a wide range of topics and dealt with uncomfortable conversations on terrorism, religious extremism and Arendt’s concept of the banality of evil. Professor Stephens is a gifted professor, and the course was instrumental in me realizing just how much religion interested me and gave me a framework to explore over those seven weeks.
When did you begin to consider alternative majors?
By the end of my first year, the only real major possibility I was seeing was cultures and movements with a track in anthropology. I had taken some course requirements for that major already and seemed to have a continued interest in the subject. At the same time, I was enrolling in every religion course the school had to offer.
My discussions with my advisor, professor Lincoln Rathnam, were really beneficial. He encouraged me to focus on my interests in the first two years of college without worrying about degree requirements or Duke instructor credits. It allowed me to make the most out of my course selection, as I was routinely in classes that interested and motivated me. I truly believe his advice was invaluable and led to me having much more fun and enjoyment in my courses as opposed to many of my friends and peers.
My professors were deeply influential in helping me decide my possible major, but more importantly in helping me grow. Through their advice, care and patience I was able to make sense of my past and present experiences. The faculty at DKU has played a crucial role in my academic and personal growth. They are part of what has made this entire experience worthwhile.
What were the main reasons behind your decision to major in ethics and leadership?
My decision to major in religious studies came as a surprise to most of my family and friends back home. Religion has been a significant part of my upbringing and cultural identity. At DKU, being away from home for the first time, I was able to question a lot of ideals that I had previously taken for granted, including religious dogmas. The study of religion is as old as the presence of human beings on this planet. For as long as humans have lived, we have tried to make sense of our existence, and religion is the culmination of that tension.
Initially, I was hesitant to consider religion as a possible major because I felt like I was only interested in Islam, the religion of most Pakistanis and the religion of my birth. However, it was by taking courses in comparative religion that I had the freedom to explore distinct religious traditions. Through the study of Daoism, Hinduism and Chan Buddhism, among others, I realized that my interest in religion had far greater scope than I had previously imagined. I am ecstatic to be able to further explore this field of study and engage with fascinating topics.
Through this experience, I have realized that I want to do further research and go into academics. For now, I am planning to apply to postgraduate programs that center on religious studies.
What do you feel are the benefits of a liberal arts education?
A liberal arts education has given me the resources and the freedom to discover what I was truly interested in. Had I not been part of a liberal arts program, I am confident that I would have never realized that I was interested in the field of religion.
An interdisciplinary approach to education is extremely beneficial for students to engage with a diverse set of subjects. It allows for better learning, as you can analyze the same problem through different lenses. At DKU, the way the curriculum is structured ‘ you have majors but also different tracks to choose from ‘ is a deliberate attempt to further our interdisciplinary learning. In my major alone, I am able to study systems of governance, moral leadership, the psychology of injustice, and modern religious thought all under one degree.
By having students delve into different yet interconnected fields of study, they can learn to apply concepts in a wide range of scenarios across disciplines. Oftentimes, in my courses I can refer to concepts and ideas that I have learned from an earlier class. I am always excited when this happens, as it proves that your learning is not limited to the classroom and that by engaging in different subjects we can better understand the nuances and complexities of a given concept.
Find out more about Duke Kunshan’s undergraduate degree program.
