From Tolkien to Sanderson: How Fantasy Helps us Navigate Life with German Studies Graduate Student Ian McArthur

Fantasy stories mirror our own heroic journeys, teaching resilience and offering new perspectives on life's challenges, ourselves, and each other. They inspire us to find the hero within and approach our world with understanding and imagination. Ian McArthur has master's degrees in both German and English. He is now finalizing his doctoral studies in German Studies at Duke, with a focus on the literature of the Middle Ages. A dedicated educator, Ian has instructed courses in religion, writing, and German language. Most recently, he has shared his love of fantasy through his self-developed course, tracing the genre's evolution from medieval epics like "Beowulf" to contemporary media franchises such as "Star Wars."