Courses

A soldier/diplomat’s insight on the Middle East

How to manage a City Council and come out smiling

The thirst for water in Canterbury

In this course experts will describe the large projects for water management in Canterbury.

Topical Issues for New Zealanders

The issues on which this course is based have been chosen because they are current and have the tendency to polarise opinion. The presenters are all experts in their particular fields and will outline current thinking and endeavour to peel away the emotion attached to the topics. The sessions will invite discussion between members and presenter so that whatever opinions we hold on those topics at least we come away better informed.

When Books are in Focus

When Books are in Focus: Books have multiple functions in our lives. The text, of course, is central to the purpose and values of why we read books. We also value them as objects in themselves. And books may also be unique artefacts in the fabric of cultural heritage. In this course five local book enthusiasts will talk about significant ways they relate to books in their work or leisure reading.

Aspects of your Health

Pilgrimage Routes in Medieval Europe

Religion as a Societal Phenomenon

The course on Religion will attempt to answer such questions as:
• Where does religion come from and why do we have it?
• Is it part of the human psyche?
• What do we mean when we speak of religion?
• What is the difference between a religion and a philosophy?
• Is a religion necessary for providing a moral base for a given society?
• Do religious people behave or act differently from those who hold to no particular religious belief?
• To what extent do religious beliefs change as societies develop?
• As science finds answers to questions previously answered by religion what is the future of religion?

Brian Pauling on ‘Television is dead!’

Three Generations in Persia