All four finalists in the general history category for the 2009 NSW Premier's History Awards are from Department of History in the Faculty of Arts. Click here to see the full article.

Posted: Wednesday, 7 October 2009

The Faculty’s Student Advisory Committee met for the first time on Tuesday 15 September chaired by the Acting Dean, Associate Professor Anne Dunn. Members of the Committee are: Associate Professor Anne Dunn, Courtney Tight, Rebecca Santos, Melissa Brooks, Jonathon Wallace, Liz Shek-Noble (Student Members), Dr Nerida Jarkey (Director of Student Support Programs) and Mark Leary (Executive Director).

Posted: Wednesday, 16 September 2009

The Sydney University Arts Association presents The Professorial Lecture of Professor Cassandra Pybus, Australian Research Council Professorial Fellow, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry entitled 'Black Caesar and Billy Blue - Subversive African Performance in Early Colonial Sydney'.

One of the least known aspects of early Australia was the presence of a number of African American convicts in the colony of New South Wales. These men were runaway slaves who had defected to the British during the American Revolution and in 1783, poor and hungry, fetched up in England, where they inevitably fell foul of the law. Several of these black convicts became notorious in the early penal colony and this talk will focus on two of these larger-than-life characters: Black Caesar, who was Australia's prototype bushranger between 1789 and 1796; and Billy Blue, the ferryman and smuggler who became Sydney's first proletarian celebrity in the 1820s and 1830s.

When: Thursday 24 September, 6pm

Where: Woolley Theatre N395, Woolley Building, the University of Sydney - Refreshments in the Woolley Common Room from 5.30pm.

Further Information: Contact Emerita Professor Nerida Newbigin nerida.newbigin@usyd.edu.au / (02) 9660 2612 or Dr Michael McDonnell michael.mcdonnell@usyd.edu.au / (02) 9351 6733.

Posted: Tuesday, 15 September 2009

The Careers Centre at the University of Sydney is hosting the event, Careers in Film, TV and Media. This event is open to all disciplines and will showcase an array of options available in the film, tv and media industries, revealing the highlights of the professions represented as well as the lowlights and thus lifting the veil on the media industry.

Six speakers from a variety of media backgrounds will discuss their own career pathways and what options are available to graduates today. Speakers will identify what skills and attributes are necessary in their professions as well as other essential keys to success for interested and enthusiastic students wanting to get into this exciting and evolving industry.

When: Wednesday 23 September, 4 - 6pm
Where: Carslaw Lecture Theatre 157, the University of Sydney

To register your attendance, please go to the ‘Event Calendar’ on the Careers Centre website.

Posted: Tuesday, 15 September 2009

The idea of this symposium is to begin a conversation about ways forward in terms of incorporating Indigenous Knowledges and approaches to protocols, ethics, philosophy, research methodologies and pedagogies that are informed by IK development.

The symposium will be of interest to those who already teach and/or research in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues but will also interest all staff who have an interest in developing ways in which Indigenous Australians can truly engage with the academy. We are fortunate to have Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith as the keynote speaker – this will also be delivered as a Sydney Ideas Lecture. Professor Smith is a renowned educator who has worked within Aotearoa NZ and Canada on major, transformative developments within Indigenous higher education. The symposium has attracted a range of speakers who work within the emerging discipline of Indigenous Knowledges. Please note there is no call for papers, the speakers have been invited and the program will be posted at a later date. When: 14 - 15 December 2009 Where: The Refectory and Holme Building, The University of Sydney Further Information: For more information and to register, visit the website: http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/conferences/IKsymposium2009

Posted: Tuesday, 8 September 2009

All graduates and their families are invited to enjoy a full day of festivities, cultural and sporting events and family activities. Click here to register.

Posted: Thursday, 10 September 2009

Clare Corbould, author of ‘Becoming African Americans’, examines the long, varied and fascinating relationship between black Americans and Africa, from slavery to the election of Barack Obama.

When: Monday 7 September, 6pm for 6.30 start

Where: Dixson Room, Macquarie Street, Sydney

Phone:(02) 9273 1770

Email:

Cost: $22, $20 ( seniors), $15 (students)- Bookings essential.

This event are co-sponsored by the Department of History, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI), and Sydney University museums, in conjunction with the History Council of NSW.

Posted: Monday, 31 August 2009

Walking tour with Craig Barker and Julia Horne. A chance to explore the early history of the University of Sydney and hear the gossip and rumour that surround the beginnings of the Nicholson Museum and Great Hall. Meet Sir Charles Nicholson, founder of the Nicholson museum and the University’s first Vice Chancellor (from 1851 to 1854). A a rare tour of the University of Sydney’s Great Hall, which celebrates its sequiscentenary this year.

When: 10 September 2 - 2.30pm

Where: Nicholson Museum, Quadrangle, the University of Sydney

Bookings: This event

Phone: (02) 9351 2812

Email:

Website: www.usyd.edu.au/museums

Posted: Monday, 31 August 2009

Scandals often reveal changes and challenges to social, sexual and political mores in unique ways. In this discussion, scholars from the University of Sydney will present new research into ‘scandal’ and explore how different incidents have illuminated diverse societies, past and present.

Speakers: Amanda Kaladelfos, Sophie Loy-Wilson, Agnieszka Sobocinska, Briony Neilson.

When: Tuesday 8 September, 6 - 7.30pm

Where: Nicholson Museum, Quadrangle, the University of Sydney

Bookings: This event is free. Bookings essential.

Phone: (02) 9351 2812

Email:

Website: www.usyd.edu.au/museums

This event is co-sponsored by the Department of History, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI), and Sydney University museums, in conjunction with the History Council of NSW.

Posted: Monday, 31 August 2009

The Sydney University Arts Association presents the Inaugural Lecture entitled Southeast Asian Studies after Edward Said by Professor Adrian Vickers, Professor of Southeast Asian Studies School of Languages and Cultures.

The term ‘Southeast Asia’ dates from World War Two, but Southeast Asia’s existence as an entity remains open to debate. The period after 1980 saw a flurry of writing on trade links, some local reactions to this writing, and the establishment of departments of Southeast Asian Studies at leading universities. This emphasis on attempts to find an economic base for Southeast Asia coincided with a rejection of the ‘Orientalist’ nature of western scholarship on the region. In a post-Saidian world, it is time to reconsider the cultural constitution of Southeast Asia, and to re-assess a series of scholarly legacies, including that of the University of Sydney. Beginning with the figure of Panji, a literary and artistic hero common to the region, this lecture will offer a series of connective views of Southeast Asia, views that have the potential to include Australian participants in the region.

Adrian Vickers became Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Sydney in 2007. He has previously worked at the University of Wollongong and the University of New South Wales, and held visiting positions at the University of Indonesian, Udayana University Bali, and Leiden University. He is author of Bali: A Paradise Created (1989) and A History of Modern Indonesia (2005). His forthcoming book Peradaban Pesisir [Coastal Civilisation] will continue to explore themes of Panji texts from his earlier book Journeys of Desire [2005]. Professor Vickers has supervised some twenty PhD theses to completion, and holds a series of ARC grants looking at Indonesian history and historiography, labour and industry in Southeast Asia, and Balinese art, all areas in which he has published book chapters, journal articles, encyclopedia entries and articles for general audiences.

When: Thursday 3 September, 6pm (Refreshments in the Woolley Common Room from 5.30pm)

Where: Woolley Theatre N395, Woolley Building, the University of Sydney

For further information regarding upcoming events, please contact:

Emerita Professor Nerida Newbigin

• Phone: (02) 9660 2612
• Email:

Dr Michael McDonnell

• Phone: (02) 9351 6733
• Email:

Associate Professor Rosemary Huisman

• Phone: (02) 9437 4700
• Email:

Posted: Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Professor Duncan Ivison has accepted the University’s offer of appointment as the next Dean of Arts. He will take up the position on 25 January 2010.

Professor Ivison joined the Faculty of Arts in 1999 as a Lecturer and shortly afterwards was promoted to Senior Lecturer. He left the University in 2003 to take up an appointment as an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, but returned in 2006. He is currently Professor and Head of the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry, having previously been the Faculty’s Associate Dean for Research.

Posted: Thursday, 20 August 2009

The 2009 round of Faculty of Arts Excellence in Teaching Awards are now open. Designed to recognise the teaching excellence of staff at all career levels, the Teaching and Learning Committee encourages all teaching staff in the Faculty to submit names for consideration.

The 2009 round of Faculty of Arts Excellence in Teaching Awards is now open. The Awards program is designed to recognise the teaching excellence of staff at all career levels, to encourage teachers to engage in reflective teaching practices and to promote and support the development of high quality and innovative teaching. The Teaching and Learning Committee encourages teaching staff in the Faculty to consider applying for an award, and/or to encourage colleagues to consider applying.

There are three categories of award:

• Excellence in Teaching (Design and Practice)
• Excellence in Teaching (Practice)
• Teaching Initiative

Deadline

• The deadline for applications in all three categories is Friday 28 August 2009.
• Six (6) copies should be submitted to Anne Campbell, Faculty Office, on or before 5.00 pm that day.

Guidelines, application forms and details about support for applicants are now available from the Faculty’s Teaching and Learning Network website and a workshop will be convened early in Semester 2 to support prospective applicants and provide feedback on draft applications.

Posted: Thursday, 2 July 2009

The Arts Digital Web Team is pleased to announce an improvement to the Faculty's Maps and Locations page. Using Google Maps and information provided by Campus Infrastructure Services the new map includes the location of Faculty and School Offices, building codes and links to University web cams. Click here to view.

Posted: Wednesday, 29 July 2009

For any students interested in politics, history, government, law, international relations, come along and hear from a successful graduate, Michael Pezzullo, whose career path will provide the insights, information and inspiration for those ambitious and curious students.

Mike Pezullo, Deputy Secretary Strategy, Department of Defence will discuss such topics as: How to start a career in government and politics; What are the key skills necessary to succeed in politics; What opportunities exist and how to target what you want. He will share some of the great stories from working in this fascinating field. Students will also have the chance to ask questions.

When: Tuesday 4 August 2009, 3 - 4pm
Where: Eastern Avenue Lecture Theatre, The University of Sydney
Bookings: Essential - Register your attendance via the Careers Centre website, ‘Events Calendar’: www.careers.usyd.edu.au/student_events_workshops/workshops/index.shtml.
Further Information: Contact the Careers Centre on phone: (02) 8627 8403 or visit the website: www.careers.usyd.edu.au

Posted: Tuesday, 4 August 2009

Workshops for our successful Tutors' Development Program (TDP) are about to commence for Semester 2. All tutors in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education and Social Work are invited to register for the TDP. Tutors who are new to tertiary teaching are particularly welcome, but more experienced tutors are also warmly encouraged to join in. Further details and registration can be found at http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/tdp

Posted: Monday, 27 July 2009

To accept your offer for a course in the following programs, Media Practice, Health Communication and Strategic Public Relations for semester 2, 2009, please email stating your UAC number, full name and course name.

Please attend the Faculty of Arts, Main Quad (next to stairwell leading to MacLaurin Hall) to enrol on:

• Thu 16 July (10am – 4pm)
• Fri 17 July (10 am – 5.30 pm)

For further details click here.

Posted: Tuesday, 16 June 2009

The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry will host a public symposium on Wednesday 15 July at 1pm in the Refectory, Quadrangle.

Posted: Wednesday, 15 July 2009

The Faculty of Arts has officially opened the new Postgraduate Arts Research Centre (PGARC) in Fisher Library. PGARC Fisher provides research students with access to physical resources such as computers, photocopying, printing and phones in a ‘hot desk’ environment while providing students with a stimulating environment where they can meet and discuss ideas and research.

The new facility accommodates 71 Postgraduate research students in an open plan office setup with non-dedicated work stations and computers, lockers, a large lounge/breakout area and kitchen. Access to the facility, including after hours, requires a swipe card.

Workstations

Lounge

Kitchen Facilities

Posted: Monday, 29 June 2009

The Go8 will co-sponsor a conference with Harvard University and the C9 group of research intensive universities in China on March 2010 at Harvard University.

Graduate Perspectives from Australia, China, and the US March 3-4 2010, Harvard University.
The conference will bring together 40 graduate students from Australia, China, and the US - leaders of the next generation - to present their global perspectives on climate and climate change from three very different national bases.

It aims to highlight research work that displays genuine disciplinary crossover. Science students and Humanities/Social Science students will exchange research ideas, crossing disciplines, cultures, and continents.

Two students from each Go8 university will be funded to attend. The application form for Go8 students can be obtained from Anne Campbell. It outlines the application and selection procedures.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled in a research degree at a Go8 university.
Eligible students include those currently under examination.
International students enrolled at Go8 universities are eligible to apply.

Application Due: Wednesday 1 July 2009
Conference Date: Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 March 2010

Further information including the application form is available here.

Posted: Monday, 1 June 2009

Dr Caroline West from the Department of Philosophy writes about the meaning of happiness. See the full article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Posted: Monday, 25 May 2009

Dr Fiona Allon from the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies will be speaking at the Sydney Writers' Festival 2009. Visit the Sydney Writers' Festival website for more details.

Posted: Monday, 25 May 2009

Congratulations to Dr Gaynor MacDonald who has been awarded a Thompson Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to promote and enhance the careers of academic women. During this time Dr MacDonald is keen to complete her book, Promises and Lies: Australian Aboriginal Experiences of Modernity, which uses an ethnographic lens to force a reassessment of NSW Aboriginal peoples place in the history of Australian nation building, and throw new light on why Aboriginal communities are experiencing social stress and violence unprecedented in their earlier experiences as colonial subjects.

Posted: Friday, 22 May 2009

Article by Dr Alastair Blanshard, senior lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History. Click here to see the full article in The Australian.

Posted: Thursday, 7 May 2009

The University of Sydney's Kevin Lee post-doctoral fellow Dr Sebastiana Nervegna talks about Menander, a late 4th century Greek playwright who refocused Athenian comedy on domestic intrigues. Click here to see the full article in The Australian.

Posted: Friday, 1 May 2009

Staff from the University of Sydney's Archaeological Computing Laboratory (ACL) have collaborated with the ABC Digital Innovation Unit to develop an immersive, interactive website about the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Click here for the full story.

Posted: Friday, 24 April 2009

The Sydney University Arts Association presents a talk by Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney "Barbie, Trade Marks and Free Speech" 6:00pm to 7:30pm, Thursday 7th May 2009 ( refreshments in the foyer from 5:30pm ), Eastern Avenue Auditorium, The University of Sydney.

6:00pm to 7:30pm, Thursday 7th May 2009 ( refreshments in the foyer from 5:30pm )
Eastern Avenue Auditorium, The University of Sydney

The Sydney University Arts Association presents a talk by Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney :

"Barbie, Trade Marks and Free Speech"

The issue of the extent to which trade marks law inhibits freedom of speech has often been addressed by commentators. However, in this talk, Dr Spence will propose that a commitment to freedom of speech may actually justify certain types of trade mark protection. He will do so with reference to an American case involving the mutilation of Barbie dolls by a visual artist!

No charge, all welcome.
RSVP to reserve your seat to or +61 2 9036 9278.

Posted: Thursday, 30 April 2009

Tuesday 21 April, 5 – 7.30pm / MacLaurin Hall, Quadrangle

Whether you want to advance your career with vocational education or simply enrich your understanding of the world, the Faculty of Arts offers you a world class environment for postgraduate coursework and research. Click here for more information.

Posted: Tuesday, 7 April 2009