Humanities Lectures

Guest Lecturer Mindy Chen-Wishart, a Reader in Contract Law, presents a case study of the transplant of an English doctrine into Singaporean law and explores why the Singaporean courts, while professing to follow it, have applied it to very divergent effect. She compares Western and Confucian value systems—hierarchy versus equality, the positional versus the personal, and collectivism versus individualism—and emphasises the importance of being more aware of the deeply entrenched assumptions of one's own legal system, and of those of other cultures. With the 'changing of the guard' on the world stage, from the West to the East, this is a particularly important time to engage with the Eastern perspective. 24 July 2014

Guest Lecturer Mindy Chen-Wishart, a Reader in Contract Law, presents a case study of the transplant of an English doctrine into Singaporean law and explores why the Singaporean courts, while professing to follow it, have applied it to very divergent effect. She compares Western and Confucian value systems—hierarchy versus equality, the positional versus the personal, and collectivism versus individualism—and emphasises the importance of being more aware of the deeply entrenched assumptions of one's own legal system, and of those of other cultures. With the 'changing of the guard' on the world stage, from the West to the East, this is a particularly important time to engage with the Eastern perspective. 24 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements chairs this debate on the subject ‘Is it worth voting?’ in light of the upcoming election in September. Dr David Clark, MP Dunedin North and Marian Hobbs, former Labour MP, debate the positive argument. Professor Richard Jackson and Dr Bryce Edwards, debate the negative argument. 23 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements chairs this debate on the subject ‘Is it worth voting?’ in light of the upcoming election in September. Dr David Clark, MP Dunedin North and Marian Hobbs, former Labour MP, debate the positive argument. Professor Richard Jackson and Dr Bryce Edwards, debate the negative argument. 23 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements chairs this debate on the subject ‘Is it worth voting?’ in light of the upcoming election in September. Dr David Clark, MP Dunedin North and Marian Hobbs, former Labour MP, debate the positive argument. Professor Richard Jackson and Dr Bryce Edwards, debate the negative argument. 23 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements talks to Marilyn Waring, development consultant, academic, writer and former National Party MP who triggered the 1984 snap election when she refused to support her own government in the vote against an opposition-sponsored anti-nuclear bill. Her best known work, "If Women Counted", also published under the title "Counting for Nothing", describes how economic orthodoxies exclude most of women's productive and reproductive work. In this conversation, Professor Clements seeks to explore what triggered Marilyn's interest in peace, justice and human rights. 21 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements talks to Marilyn Waring, development consultant, academic, writer and former National Party MP who triggered the 1984 snap election when she refused to support her own government in the vote against an opposition-sponsored anti-nuclear bill. Her best known work, "If Women Counted", also published under the title "Counting for Nothing", describes how economic orthodoxies exclude most of women's productive and reproductive work. In this conversation, Professor Clements seeks to explore what triggered Marilyn's interest in peace, justice and human rights. 21 July 2014

Professor Kevin Clements talks to Marilyn Waring, development consultant, academic, writer and former National Party MP who triggered the 1984 snap election when she refused to support her own government in the vote against an opposition-sponsored anti-nuclear bill. Her best known work, "If Women Counted", also published under the title "Counting for Nothing", describes how economic orthodoxies exclude most of women's productive and reproductive work. In this conversation, Professor Clements seeks to explore what triggered Marilyn's interest in peace, justice and human rights. 21 July 2014

The 2014 University of Otago Arts Fellows: Majella Cullinane (Robert Burns Fellow), Patrick Lundberg (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Jeremy Mayall (Mozart Fellow), Louise Potiki Bryant (Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance), and Melinda Szymanik (University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence) discuss their work and aspects of the creative process. Chaired by Nicholas McBryde, the Director of the Otago Festival of the Arts and former General Manager at Fortune Theatre. 13 July 2014

The 2014 University of Otago Arts Fellows: Majella Cullinane (Robert Burns Fellow), Patrick Lundberg (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Jeremy Mayall (Mozart Fellow), Louise Potiki Bryant (Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance), and Melinda Szymanik (University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence) discuss their work and aspects of the creative process. Chaired by Nicholas McBryde, the Director of the Otago Festival of the Arts and former General Manager at Fortune Theatre. 13 July 2014