Upcoming Events
The US Studies Centre has an extensive range of events.
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United States Studies Centre sponsored events:
- USSC Research Seminar Series - Suburbanising the Mind: Hollywood and the Globalisation of American Suburbia
- Great White Fleet Centenary Celebration
- Financial Crises 101: What Can We Learn from Scandals and Meltdowns – from Enron to Subprime
- Biennale of Sydney Forum
- US Elections 2008
Other events of interest:
- News Corp's Exodus to Delaware: Lessons for US and Australian Corporate Lawyers
- Sydney University Politics Society’s 2nd Annual Hedley Bull Memorial Lecture: The US in the 21st Century
- American Australian Association '3WD' Monthly Get-together
August
15 August
US Studies Centre Research Seminar Series
Suburbanising the Mind: Hollywood and the Globalisation of American Suburbia
Speaker: Dr Rafael Pizzaro
Lecturer in Sustainable Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney
Friday 15 August
4.00 - 5.30pm
United States Studies Centre Boardroom
John Woolley Building (A20)
University of Sydney
RSVP online or phone 9036 5086
18 - 24 August
Great White Fleet Centenary Celebration
The American Australian Association along with the Royal Australian Navy, the United States Navy, the United States Consulate General, the National Maritime Museum and other parties have joined in arranging a celebration of the Centenary of the visit to Sydney by the United States Great White Fleet. In 1908, President Roosevelt sent a fleet of US warships around the world to visit friends, allies and newly established countries, including Australia. The fleet arrived in Sydney in August 1908, then sailed onto Melbourne and Albany. The US fleet’s visit to Sydney was the biggest event of its time and one of the greatest collection of ships ever to sail into Sydney Harbour. The good citizens of Sydney lined the harbour in their tens of thousands to welcome the ships with their 14,000 officers and crew. Many events were held throughout the city. It was a tremendous celebration for our new country. The centenary of this great visit will be marked with performances by the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy bands, a centenary ball, an exhibition, symposium, street banners and other events to mark the occasion, although on a lesser scale than in 1908.
Events to mark the occasion include:
- Great White Fleet Centenary Ball
Saturday 23 August
Art Gallery of NSW
Sydney
Please contact Lisa Levar, Events & Membership Manager at the American Australian Association for further details. Please RSVP to or 02 9338 6989. - Great White Fleet: US Sea Power on Parade Exhibition
Thursday 14 August
Australian National Maritime Museum
Darling Harbour
Sydney - Hands Across the Sea Symposium
Saturday 23 August
Australian National Maritime Museum
Darling Harbour
Sydney
20 August
2008 Ross Parsons Address in Corporate Law
Financial Crises 101: What Can We Learn from Scandals and Meltdowns – from Enron to Subprime
Keynote Speaker: Professor John C. Coffee
Adolf A Berle Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
Keynote address at the Third Annual Supreme Court/Law Society Conference on Corporate Law: The Credit Crunch and the Law
The subprime mortgage meltdown is the latest scandal to send shock waves through securities markets. It has fuelled a liquidity crisis affecting debt markets, not only in the US but around the world. Professor Coffee will discuss possible explanations of the subprime mortgage crisis, the role of ratings agencies as gatekeepers in debt markets, and potential mechanisms to increase transparency in the market for structured finance.
Wednesday 20 August
1.30 - 6pm
Keynote address: 2.00 - 3.00pm
Banco Court
Supreme Court of New South Wales
Level 13
Queens Square
Sydney
To register please click here.
For further details of the 2008 Ross Parsons Address in Corporate Law click here.
29 August
Democratic National Convention
Live screening of Barack Obama's acceptance speech, followed by US Studies Centre analysis.
Friday 29 August
11.00am - 1.30pm (Time TBC)
Manning Bar
University of Sydney
September
5 September
Republican National Convention
Live screening of John McCain's acceptance speech, followed by US Studies Centre analysis.
Friday 5 September
11.00am - 1.30pm (Time TBC)
Manning Bar
University of Sydney
9 September
Electing the US President
A free public forum brought to you by the University of Sydney’s Department of History. Spend an evening with American historians and US Studies Centre Chief Executive Officer, Professor Geoffrey Garrett, as they discuss exciting US elections, the meaning of race and gender in US politics and society, and why the current race for the White House is so compelling.
Tuesday 9 September
5.30 – 7pm
Nicholson Museum
University of Sydney
October
8 October
US Presidential Town Hall Debate
Live screening of the debate that features the candidates responding to questions from voters in the audience. Followed by a US Studies Centre Town Hall Forum on the American election and democracy.
Wednesday, 8 October
11.00am - 1.30pm (Time TBC)
Manning Bar
University of Sydney
16 October
US Presidential Foreign Policy Debate
Live screening of the debate that focuses on foreign policy. Followed by a US Studies Centre forum A Republican or Democrat White House: What does it mean for Australia?
Thursday, 16 October
11.00am - 1.30pm (Time TBC)
Manning Bar
University of Sydney
November
5 November
US Election Watch
Live screening of the election returns, voting booth simulation, analysis of the results, prizes, free barbecue and more!
Wednesday, 5 November
12.00 - 6.00pm (Time TBC)
Manning Bar
University of Sydney
Other events of interest
28 July
News Corp's Exodus to Delaware: Lessons for US and Australian Corporate Lawyers
Presented by The Ross Parsons Centre of Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law
Speaker: Professor Jennifer Hill
Professor of Corporate Law, Sydney Law School; Visiting Professor Vanderbilt Law School
Commentator: David Friedlander
Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques
Chair: Andrew Tuch
Sydney Law School; Harvard Law School
News Corp has been the subject of intense media attention in the US due to its ultimately successful bid to acquire Dow Jones & Company. The balance of power between shareholders and the board of directors is a contentious issue in the current US “shareholder empowerment” debate. The seminar will discuss some of the implications of News Corp’s re-incorporation in Delaware from the perspective of this debate. News Corp’s re-incorporation highlights key differences that exist between US and Australian corporate law (both under legislation and the ASX Listing Rules) in relation to shareholder participatory rights, and the ability of the board of directors to adopt anti-takeover mechanisms, such as poison pills.
Monday 28 July
5.30 – 7.15pm
Sydney Law School
173-175 Phillip Street
Sydney
Further details of the seminar can be viewed at the Ross Parsons Centre of Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law website.
19 August
Sydney University Politics Society’s 2nd Annual Hedley Bull Memorial Lecture: The US in the 21st Century
Speaker: Professor Geoffrey Garrett
CEO of the United States Studies Centre
Tuesday 19 August
6.30 - 7.45pm
Refreshments will be served from 6.15pm
Education Lecture Room 424
Education Building
University of Sydney
This free event is open to the public. For more information, please contact May Samali at .
Every month
American Australian Association '3WD' Monthly Get-together
The American Australian Association runs a monthly social reception at James Squire Brewhouse & Restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month (3WD). Meet AAA members, USSC students and friends. Bring your friends or colleagues. A gold-coin donation at each reception supports a nominated charity.
Third Wednesday of every month
6.00 - 8.00 pm
James Squire Brewhouse & Restaurant
King Street Wharf
Sydney