Jon's reviews
Review of London School Of Economics
12 Nov 07, 08:18
Free lectures are very informative. 
The European Philosophy dept gives free lecture on topical issues. I have been to many of them they are in association with Oxford University.
One time Conservative MP Douglas Hurd gave an interesting discussion a panel asked him questions and then the audience did. It was quite good natured not a grilling.
They also have day long intensive forums where many speakers give a lecture and answer questions on a topic of interest some are from abroad.
The lecture gives the establishment position so nothing revolutionary just praise of the status quo.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of City Lit
12 Nov 07, 08:03
Fnd out what is really going on?
I was a student at City Lit for two years.
The first course I did there was on Existentialism; a ten week course for 1 hour every week taken by a writer Tim Lebon, whom is an existential psychotherapist.
He had a terrible struggle with the subject. I could not stand it and my constant questioning was as it meant nothing to me. The focus for this on this course was on Sartre and his Being and Nothingness which I disliked totally. For some reason he may deny he took to class.
I also did a six hour taster course on existential psychotherapy with the same teacher the writer. It was a one day course. This was attended by Social Workers and the like, and it went smoothly. He admits he took this class.
The next course I took was on Martin Heidegger. Starting in late in November 1994 with Being and Time. It was the most mind boggling course I have been on. Said by some to be the most influential philosopher of the 20th Century, they are not kidding. The course taken by Pamela Jenecks. It has been so informative, it was astonishing.
Reading Being and Time was for me like reading a book that puts you in touch with yourself. Others on the course were baffled. Most seemed to be teachers or presently employed church people and the like. It was then a very political course, with the teachers making sure they covered their backs all the way as as there interest is only in making sure the people in power stay in power.
Heidegger is not complementary of them and in revelling many of the problems inherent in 21st Century society, deny explicitly that they are problems or that it is anything to do with them as ex teachers.
I have also done a course on ritual. This has interesting films and no book is used. The teacher will only speak in relation to the thing however so it is not a practical couse all theory. The other students include writers and housewives.
The City Lit offers such a wide range of courses, you are bound to find something of interest to you
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of University Of Westminster
01 Aug 07, 10:02
Only go to university if you're generally interested in a subject 
I had not noticed Westminster University until I decided to apply to go there during my access to university course. As I was living close by in Central London, it seemed ideal, so I did not even bother going to an interview at Hertfordshire University, as it was a waste of the train fare to even turn up, I thought. I went and had a look around another London university at Roehampton however, just to have a look to see. It's a Catholic university, so it was not really for me. As I received an acceptance that was good enough for me, I was going there!
Another student on my access course went there and she is now a teacher. It was looked down on by some students on the access course. I had no idea why at the time. One wanted to go to King's College but was put out by how snooty they were there at her interview. The pot calling kettle back comes to mind.
I found it was full of foreigners. Or local people there were also a very high percentage of mature students and minorities!
The teachers all seem overly busy, and you need to make an appointment to speak to one. My Tutor was such a busy man it was difficult to see him. His feedback, although small was invaluable.
I left there years ago now, but I have continued studies, as it was of a general interest to me anyway. It was not a way into a job employers are not interested some think university a joke. So only go to university if you're generally interested in a subject.
Back to the anonymous buildings. They are a mix of prefab 60's. Some are very old, and some are new. They are all mixed and not on the same site. The IT facilities were first rate. I had never though of myself as intelligent but it seemed I had been studing for years previous to going to University and not known it, as I did not even know I was doing it when watching TV and reading magazines. If you are not interested in the metaphysical scientific world view then do not go. As that is what is promoted. Homelessness, barbarity and mass consumption are the effects of these, so it can be a problem.
As for the facilities; there are a few cafes in the University, and there is also a club / bar. But as it is Central London, other facilities and night life are no problem.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.