Copy
Issue 15 - February 10, 2014
View this email in your browser

The View from the Deanery

At the ‘Refreshermentation’ talk I mentioned that one of the frequent comments I hear from General Course students at the end of their time at LSE is that they wished they had seen more of London.  The daily routines associated with studying combined with heading to favourite haunts for weekend socializing along with procrastination (‘I really must explore some of London next weekend’) are the usual excuses offered for not venturing further afield.
 
At the moment, there are two additional excuses.  First is the beastly weather we having been experiencing the last month or so, with rain of almost Biblical proportions hitting London and the UK.  Second is the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics coverage.  Like many, I have been enjoying the thrill and exhilaration of the snow and ice events – including the new sport of snowboard slopestyle.  As a skier, I have a love-hate relationship (mostly the latter) with snowboarders, but watching the jumps and tricks of the snowboarders was amazing.  If they’d stay in the snowparks at ski resorts engaging in such endeavours rather than suddenly flopping down on their backside in the middle of a ski-run, I’d have no problem with snowboarders at all.
 
Once the weather improves (and, eventually, it will), I would encourage you to get out and about in London.  A really useful way of doing so is to make use of some of the many guidebooks that cover the city.  Two that I can highly recommend (and which I have given so many copies of to visiting friends and family that I should have a share in the royalties) are the Time Out London Walks Vol.1 and Vol.2. These books contain 30 and 25 walks respectively written by a number of famous authors and media personalities.  They tend to be themed (Soho, anatomical London, wealth and power) and are all easily doable in the space of a couple of hours – or a day, depending on how many of the pubs you stop at covered in each walk.
 
So in a fortnight’s time when the weather has improved and there are no more excuses for being an Olympic couch potato, get out and explore the city you are living in before it’s too late.
Mark Hoffman
Associate Dean
The General Course
gc.dean@lse.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7107 5197
Room OLD 1.09 
Office Hours: Monday 2pm - 4pm, Wednesday 11am - 1pm, Thursday 11am - 1.30pm

Another GC Blog!

http://friarsinlondon.tumblr.com

After the call for blogs last week, we received a recommendation from a fan of this blog, created by Timothy Reynolds and Matthew Pavia. This one started out as a written and photo blog about their adventures in London and Europe, but has evolved to include video podcasts as well! A good one to add to your favourites, and like last time, let us know if there are any more!

LSE Events

Economics, the Enemy?
Dr Philip Roscoe

Could economics be responsible for the greatest problems we face? This lecture explores the making of the economic world and asks: does economics change what it means to be a person?

Philip Roscoe (@Philip_Roscoe) is reader in management at the School of Management, University of St Andrews. In 2011 he was one of the ten winners of the inaugural AHRC BBC Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers scheme chosen from over a thousand applicants. His new book is I Spend therefore I Am: The True Cost of Economics.

His lecture will take place on Tuesday 11th February in the Hong Kong Theatre at 6.30pm.

Ethics and the Media: after the Leveson inquiry 
Baroness Onora O'Neill

After Leveson, this debate asks: can ethics help us think about whether we have the media needed for a healthy democracy and social fabric? How should we think about the good and harm journalism can do? Baroness O'Neill will open the debate followed by responses from Professor George Brock (Head of Journalism, City University) and Gavin Millar QC (co-founder Doughty Street Chambers). 

Her presentation takes place in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre on Thursday 13th February from 6.30pm. 

Ethics Matters in War
Professor Jeff McMahan, Professor Cecile Fabre

The 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I reminds us of the importance of ethics in war. Under what conditions may states wage war on each other? And what are the moral principles governing the conduct of war? Cecile Fabre is professor of political philosophy at the University of Oxford. Jeff McMahan is professor of philosophy at Rutgers University. 

The lecture will take place in the Hong Kong Theatre on Thursday 13th February at 6.30pm.

London Events

Dating Party at the Shard

Missing a date for Valentines? An opportunity may present itself with the Dating Party at the Shard on Wednesday 12th of February. 400 tickets are on sale for this gathering set in the world's highest urban ice bar where there'll be sorbeto, gelato, cinnamon cocktails and waiters in penguin suits!  

Late London: City of Seduction
Museum of London

Unbeknownst to some of you, this great city of ours has a history of slightly salacious activity, and the Museum of London are exploring this with a late night event on Friday 14th. Explore the art of seduction with life drawings, lose your inhibitions with absinthe tastings, learn new dance moves with lessons from a Dance Psychologist, and sit in on a lecture about the mating rituals of Londoners, past and present.

Best Romantic Restaurants in London

For those wanting to do something a little special for your significant other, one can never go wrong with a beautiful meal at a fine restaurant. The ever so helpful crew at TimeOut have graciously put together a list of the most romantic places to dine in the capital. These picks are all sure-fire winners, certain to impress, so check them out and make a booking! 

LSE-UCT July School

Applications now open for the LSE-PKU Summer School in Beijing, China
 
Applications are now open for the eleventh LSE-PKU Summer School, which will run from 11 – 22 August 2014 at Peking University in Beijing.
 
Eighteen courses are available on the programme, all with a focus on China and Asia in subjects including economics, management, international relations, media and law. Courses are taught by a specialist in their field from one of these world class institutions. The programme attracts a truly diverse mix of participants drawn from over 40 nationalities and a variety of backgrounds. In 2013 a quarter were graduate professionals working in a wide range of related fields.
 
Getting an academic insight into China, and gaining experience of the country first hand, has never been more important, nor more useful for top graduates looking to distinguish themselves and develop a global career. For more information and to apply online, go to www.lse.ac.uk/LSEPKUSummerSchool.

GC Photo of the Week

Lincoln's Inn Fields

Proscenium Events

Lent Term Programme now online!


Harry Potter Studios
Sunday 16th February
£38

York & the North of England
Weekend 22nd - 23rd February
£110

English Country Walk with Pub Lunch
Sunday 8th February
£18
To book for any of these events visit http://bookings.prosceniumtours.com/lsegc/

Will's Tweet of the Week

 

For that perfect romantic moment, view the flower-crowned skull of St. Valentine in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.
Don't forget to follow us!
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Copyright © 2014 LSE - The General Course, All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp