Current Affairs Courses in Detail

CUR 01: CURRENT AFFAIRS

Organiser: Chris Holt                              
Day and time: Friday 1.30 - 2.30             
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring, possibly summer.
Number of places: 15
Most of us listen to the news on radio and television and many of us read a newspaper so that we build an understanding of what is happening in the world around us.  We aim to have a discussion, in a humorous way when appropriate, with all members of the group contributing their perception of the events.  Members who have lived or worked abroad can often add a further dimension to our understanding.  We see it not as a forum with “imported experts” but as an opportunity to spend a pleasant hour gaining a better understanding of world events.

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CUR 02: CURRENT AFFAIRS DISCUSSION GROUP

Organiser: Bill Kirkman                           
Day and time: Tuesday 2.05 - 3.05          
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.                           
Number of places: 15
Each week we discuss the news – national and international.  We also from time to time discuss major issues of current affairs, sometimes asking a member of the group to introduce the discussion.  We encourage all members to contribute to the group’s discussions, drawing on their own experience.

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CUR 03: HOW THE UK WORKS (SPRING TERM)

Leaders: Stephen Marshall & Beth Morgan
Day and time: Tuesday 3.30 - 5.00          
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.                                        
Number of places: 18
What is the British Constitution? How does it work? How are the UK’s and EU’s various Parliaments and Assemblies elected? Should we be thinking of changing electoral systems? What makes an electoral system “good”?.  What is, and what should be, the role of the Monarchy in modern Britain? Wouldn’t it be better to have an elected Head of State? Who makes our laws, and how? If questions like this intrigue you, this is the course for you.  We will aim to explore the issues collaboratively, with the emphasis on discussion, in the hope that by the end we will have had some of our pre-conceptions challenged and will have arrived at a better understanding of how this fascinating and infuriating country ticks.

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CUR 04: THE FUTURE OF CAMBRIDGE (SUMMER TERM)

Tutor: John Hipkin
Day and time: Monday 11.00 – 12.30
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Summer
Number of places: 40
'Cambridge is one of the UK's most dynamic and fastest growing cities.  As such there are opportunities and threats that need to be addressed.  How can the future development of the city be managed so that at the same time as it prospers, it remains an agreeable place in which to live and work?
Councillor John Hipkin, a former mayor of the city and its only independent councillor,is a longstanding critic of present growth plans but he acknowledges that the whole subject of Cambridge's future is a complex one and that there is always more than one side to such issues. Speakers representing a wide range of views and perspectives will offer course members a rounded and full account of the challenges facing the cityand how they might be met in the years ahead.
Note: Start date 14th May. Course runs for 5 weeks only.

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CUR 05: CURRENT AFFAIRS 2

Day and time: Thursday 9.45 - 10.45
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn
Repeat of CUR 01.

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CUR 06: CURRENT AFFAIRS DISCUSSION GROUP 2

Day and time: Tuesday 11.30 – 12.30
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Repeat of CUR 02.

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