The Stag - Issue 38

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The Stag |

22nd November 2011
whether universities across England choose to offer student support via bursaries or fee waivers, the NUS has also urged the Government to rethink their education plans. Mr Burns further commented: “We continue to oppose the Government’s assault on

NEWS

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NUS says new fee waivers are an “elaborate con trick”
...Continued from front page
As many people are aware, cash bursaries or adiscount on living expenses whilst at university provide students support whilst they are studying, whereas fee waivers, will reduce the amount of debt a student will have when they graduate. The NUS has agreed with the Select Committee, which stated that the Government had failed to produce a coherent package of reform and as a result, has caused chaos, confusion and unfairness for prospective students. Director of Planning for the University of Surrey and Trustee of the Students’ Union, Harri Ap Rees said: “The University has decided to invest more in targeting bursaries for students from low income backgrounds by developing a package of bursaries and fee waivers that will continue to encourage applications. “All new first year entrants to all full-time undergraduate programmes in 2012-13 who have a household income of £25,000 or less will receive an award commensurate with the National Scholarship Programme (NSP) award of £3,000. Students living in University accommodation will have the choice of receiving either a £3,000 discount on the cost of accommodation or receive a £1,000 cash bursary and a £2,000 fee waiver. Students living at home or in rented accommodation will receive a £1,000 cash bursary and a £2,000 fee waiver.” NUS President, Liam Burns denied this argument: “As students come under sustained financial pressure and struggle to make ends meet, we are pleased that the Select Committee have recognised that the need to prioritise upfront financial support. “The government has used fees, cuts and student number controls to bully universities into removing vital financial support from student’s pockets in favours of partial fee waivers. These waivers look attractive until the small print reveals that they are an elaborate con trick that would benefit only the highest earning graduates.” While the debate continues on

higher education. Rather than unleashing more ill-though out and controversial reforms and plunging universities and students into fresh chaos, ministers must now pause and reflect amid widespread concern.”

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Why don’t fee waivers benefit poor students?
the Government. Those students therefore, who receive a fee waiver, will not only never see the money, but they won’t receive the full benefit anyway. Furthermore, many students rely on the bursaries and associated scholarships to get them through the year. The NUS also fears that because of this, more students will leave university before completing their degrees, unable to cope with the crippling stress of living close to the breadline.

n paper, the idea of a fee waiver seems like a brilliant idea. After all, students from across Britain have gone to great lengths over the last year to express displeasure at the idea of the much increased tuition fees next year’s students will face. The admitted fact of the new student finance regime however, is that most students will never actually pay back the entire £27,000 total of their fee bill. It is only the students who go on to earn the highest amounts of money who will pay it all back to

Student protest peaceful on streets of London
By Jyoti Rambhai, News Editor

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n Wednesday 9th November thousands of students gathered on the streets of London in a protest against tuition fees and cuts. The march began at midday outside the University College of London Union on Malet Street and headed through Charing Cross, Strand and Fleet Street, before bypassing St. Paul’s Cathedral and ending at Moorgate. One student from Central Performing Arts School in London said: “As we go to a drama school, all of our funding has been cut and as result it will become privatised, which is something we don’t want.” President at the University of Edinburgh, Mark McFarthten commented: “We have EMA in Scotland, but they don’t have

it in England anymore. EMA is absolutely crucial and I think the Education Secretary should start thinking about reinstating it. “Many of our students in Edinburgh come from a variety of different backgrounds, including being from different parts of the UK, and there’s got to be a wider strategy that makes Education accessible to everybody” The demonstration comes year after students protested against the government plans for Higher Education. Scotland Yard launched one of its largest public order operations, and had over 4000 police officers lining the streets, all in a bid to avoid a repetition of last year’s incident that took place at the Conservative Party HQ in Millbank. Police had also sought authority

to use rubber bullets, however, as there was very little violence this was not needed. Although a few arrests were made during the march, most of students were there to march peacefully and get their voices heard. Part of the Executive Body for NUS, Mark Bergfeld stated after the march: “This can be a real launch pad for a campaign against the higher education white paper. We have seen thousands of people out today and it was not solely a student demonstration, it was actually a demonstration, I think, for a different system, one beyond cuts; one beyond job losses; and people are asking for a system that has the interest of the 99% not the 1%.”

Director of Fair Access, Sir Martin Harris is also Chair of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, at the centre of the staff pensions war.

‘UK institutions to lower fees in response to government quota’
By John Kavanagh, News Team

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Above: a heavy police presence was evident in response to the dangerous protest last year. Far Left: A police counter-terrorist unit, the Territorial Support Group was monitoring the march. Left: Protesters marched through the streets of London peacefully if boisterously this year.

n 7th November, the Office for Fair Access (Offa) announced that 27 Higher Education institutions in the UK are poised for a reduction in annual tuition fees from those they announced earlier this year. This is in response to a government commitment to allocate 20,000 places to institutions charging at or less than £7,500 per year. The announcement has come under criticism from some who believe that a reduction in annual tuition fees may be being financed by cuts to the financial support currently granted to poorer students at these institutions. Gill Wyness from the think tank: CenteForum commented: “Offa has told us only the number of universities and

colleges that have lowered fees, but not which ones, or by how much. It is not clear whether these institutions are financing the cut in headline fees by reducing waivers and bursaries for the poorest students. Paying for the change by cutting support to students from poorer backgrounds is highly regressive.” NUS President, Liam Burns said: “The Government’s botched changes to Higher Education are continuing to cause great uncertainty for students, with many looking to apply to university still in the dark about the fees and support they can expect.” The academic community awaits further details from Offa of how the announced fee reductions are to be financed.

© OFFA

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NEWS

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

Artificial light disrupts sleep
By Melissa Raske, News Team

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esearch carried out by the Surrey Sleep Research Centre at the University of Surrey and Royal Philips Electronics has shed light on the effects an indoor environment can have on our biological clock and the quality of sleep we have. The data, published in the Journal of Pineal Research, shows how artificial light exposure in the evening reduces the release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep. This causes us to feel less like sleeping and therefore may delay bed time. If the time one is supposed to wake up is unchanged the amount of sleep will be insufficient leading to sleep deprivation and increasing the health risks associated with it. The research looked at light

exposure at home during the day and then at how that light affected biological rhythms and sleep. The quality of the light, in terms of its colour was also considered and tested to see if different compositions minimised the affects. It was found that yellow light with minimum blue and lower intensity had less effect on sleep patterns. The senior investigator of the project, Professor Derk-Jan Dijk said: “A better understanding of the mechanisms by which light affects our sleep and biological rhythms may lead to new ways to minimise some of the unwanted effects of artificial light.” The research also showed that not all people react similarly to artificial light and that there are significant differences in the degree of melatonin suppression between individuals.

The 2050 Energy Targets
Charles Hendry MP
Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change
The importance of science and engineering in the future energy supply and explanation of how the Government is pushing the renewable energy agenda.

An address by

Monday 28th November Lecture Theatre G 13:00 – 14:00

Should tax-payers subsidise holidays?
By Sophie Howard, News Team

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his week, a grant has been awarded to two doctors from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey. Their research will focus on whether or not the tax-payer should subsidise holidays for those with a lower income, that otherwise could not afford to go on holiday. Dr Miller said: “It will probably come as little news to anyone that holidays are good for us. They help us to recover from the structure of work and home life, and to reconnect with ourselves and families. Holidays can also have a positive economic effect on destinations and countries.” With this in mind, Dr Miller

and Dr Minnaert are using the grant to investigate the potential of the concept of ‘Social Tourism’. It is known that holidays can improve overall family life, but it can also improve skills such as better budgeting. Moreover, there is evidence that suggests there are not only health benefits, but positive economic benefits from people taking a holiday. Mr Miller continued to explain: “While many businesses can be outsourced to cheaper parts of the world, tourism is an export industry that has to be based in the home country and so much of the economic benefit can be retained.” In the future their research may go on to inform wider social policy, and be implemented in government policy reform.

Surrey Rugby Team and Do>More collaborate in a nationwide volunteering event to help local communities

Make a Difference Day
By Do>More and the Rugby Team

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While the heyday of British beaches was in 1950s, towns like Weston-super-Mare still attract tourists on hot weekends and offer a cheap alternative to Europe.

unning between the 22nd October and 6th November, with Make a Difference Day in the middle, the CVS Make a Difference Day campaign is an opportunity to try out volunteering and make a difference to the lives of people living in your community. Clem Mulcahey Banks, Surrey Students’ Union Volunteer Coordinator explains: “On 29th October, students from the University of Surrey were once again actively involved in making a difference in their community. As part of CSV Make a Difference Day 2011, 10 students from the Rugby Club transformed the gardens of two properties on Woodside Road.” In conjunction with the University of Surrey Students’ Union and Community Safety

Wardens for the Westborough and Park Barn wards, Tracy James and Richard Musgrove, the team ably demonstrated the good work that student volunteers can achieve. With support from the Students’ Union Volunteering staff and from Do>More, the on-campus volunteering society, the rugby team could not have been better ambassadors for this nationwide volunteering event, having also been involved for the past two years. The day was a great success with local residents expressing their thanks and gratitude to the students for their hard work and generosity. Moreover, during this period, members of Do>More also found time to run a bake sale in order to raise funds for Age UK. They took to heart the aims of this year’s

Make a Difference Day campaign: ‘to combat loneliness and isolation within local communities’. On top of this, the committee organised an afternoon crafts session on 2nd November at Guildford Action Drop-In Centre for the homeless, where the volunteers who attended were greeted by the warm and friendly staff and members and a great time was had by all. After the massive success of our projects this year, we should all be excited for next year’s campaign and the great difference that Surrey students can make.’ If you are interested in getting involved in volunteering at Surrey, contact Clem Mulcahey Banks at [email protected] or visit the Volunteering and Training section of the Union website at www.ussu.co.uk/volunteering

© NotFromUtrecht

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

NEWS

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Drunken fight starts at Casino over a cigarette
By Rachel Thomason, News Team

X Factor acts in Guildford to shoot video for charity single
By Jyoti Rambhai, News Editor

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he X Factor has announced that it will be raising money for ACT & Children’s Hospices UK with a cover of Rose Royce’s Wishing on a Star. Joining them on the single will be two former X Factor bands, JLS and One Direction. The sixteen acts performing on the single are the boys: Frankie Cocozza, Craig Colton, Marcus Collins and James Michael; the girls: Janet Devlin, Sophie Habibis, Amelia Lily and Misha Bryan; the groups: The Risk, Little Mix, Nu Vide and 2 Shoes; and the over-25s: Kitty Brucknell, Sami Brookes, Johnny Robinson and Jonjo Kerr. The X Factor finalists spent the morning meeting children and teenagers cared for by Shooting Star CHASE. Kitty Brucknell spoke about her time here: “It’s an amazing opportunity to come here and see

the kids. It really puts everything in perspective.” Janet Devlin said: “Today’s been really exciting; everyone’s really upbeat and positive. When you hear the word hospice you want to think it’s really positive but I never really expected it to be as bright and colourful as when we arrived here with everyone so happy – it’s great.” Marcus Collins added: “I didn’t know what to expect but it’s been so good. We’ve been doing glitter glue with the kids, making things, been on a little train with them all and pushing them on the rides. I’ve had a real laugh with them. It’s fun to lift their spirits a bit and it means a lot to us to be asked.” Charlie Healy from The Risk also commented: “We’re just four normal guys, so to be able to come down and make people smile and happy is an honour.”

The video for the single will be debuted live on The X Factor on Sunday 27th November and will be available to download straight away. Christopher’s Children Hospice, owned by the charity Shooting Star CHASE, cares for over 500 families with a child or teenager who is not expected to reach their 19th birthday in Surrey, West London and West Sussex. The charity offers free support, 365 days a year. They are there every step of the children’s journey, sharing the good times and helping them through the tough times with practical and emotional support. With no guaranteed Government funding, Shooting Star CHASE must raise £23,000 a day to continue providing the services they do and need all the support they can get. For more information visit: www.shootingstarchase.org.uk

court hearing on Friday 28th October has fined three men for a fight that took place outside Casino Nightclub in Guildford, on 22 May. The fight started as an argument over a cigarette. The incident involved Nicholas Tenconi, 27, Matthew Conran, 33 and Aiden Davis, 28, who repeatedly punched and kicked the victim. Although a friend helped him up and both walked away, the group went after them and Tenconi punched the victim again who fell down outside Tesco in Bridge Street. Whilst on the ground, the men brutally kicked him. Originally all three denied the

allegations but, after viewing the CCTV footage, pleaded guilty to the charges. Conran’s defence, Rebecca Helliwell, claimed he deeply regretted what had happened. It was apparently out of character for all three men and although it was also admitted during the court hearing that all three men had been drinking, they accept that there was no excuse for the violence they inflicted on the victim. The accused must complete 240 hours of unpaid work and keep in contact with a probation officer for 12 months as well as each having to pay £300 compensation and an additional £560 in court fees.

Students’ Union Executive answer to students’ questions.

University versus union at year’s first Students’ Forum
By Jack White, Editor

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X factor contestants spend time with children and teenagers who benefit from charity CHASE

Royalty visits Guildford Cathedral
By Bethany Goss, News Team

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he Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visted Guildford Cathedral and East Surrey College in Redhill on the 18th November to celebrate the Cathedral’s 50th anniversary Service of Thanksgiving. The event was a recreation of the visit the Queen made upon the cathedral’s consecration on Stag Hill in 1961. The Very Revd Victor Stock, Dean of Guildford, said it was “splendid” that the royal couple attended the celebrations.

The royal couple met with various community groups upon their visit including 150 singers made up from local primary schools and the cathedral’s choristers. Our own Student’s Union president was among these. The Queen and Prince Philip also met with groups of staff and students at East Surrey College whereupon they were taken on a tour of the facility before ending their royal visit with the unveiling of a plaque to celebrate the event. During their visit, the royal couple paid trips to the Adult

Education Room, Media Studio and Training Salon, as well as the Technology, Brick and Vehicle workshops.

The Queen leaves in an untaxed Bentley.

niversity went head-to-head with the UCU trade union at Students’ Forum last week as the question was asked, “Should the students’ union support the 30th November strike?” The Co-Chairs of the Surrey branch of the UCU academics’ union told the assembly that new pension arrangements turned a reasonable but not fantastic deal into a bad deal and said, “Staff have been bullied and harassed – the only thing left to us is to go on strike.” University HR tzar Paul Stephenson retaliated, pointing out the the regulations on pension consultations had been followed and insisting that the offer made to lecturers was a good one and better than Private Sector workers could hope for. The UCU strike this month is part of a wider strike, which

may see as many as three million employees stop work.

New student voting system
With the Students’ Forum comes a new pillar of student democracy as motions put to the Forum are available online and can be voted on at the Students’ Union website. A motion was brought mandating the Union to make cheaper living for Surrey students a priority this year and calling on the National Union of Students to campaign for a geographical weighting for student loans. One international student called for an addition to the motion in support of better financial arrangements for international students.

Log in at www.ussu.co.uk to have your vote all year

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

OPINION & ANALYSIS

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Letters to the Editor
© Gonçalo Valverde

Send your correspondence to [email protected]. Letters maybe abbreviated out of consideration of space on the page.
Dear Editor, I wish to give students reassurance following the article that appeared in The Stag on 25th October regarding Erasmus schemes. The article was based on the outcomes of a report that was carried out by the Erasmus Student Network, and gives the impression that there was a significant UK problem. However, the Erasmus National Agency has confirmed that the study was based on the whole European Higher Education Area. Within the survey there were 9,000 respondents, and it is worth pointing out here that only 100 related to credit recognition issues in the UK. Students sometimes go abroad without fully understanding the way the period abroad will be treated and the facts are important. Please be assured that for any student taking part in Erasmus here at Surrey, their period overseas is treated like the Professional Training Year (PTY) and is therefore credit-bearing. We are not aware of any student who has satisfactorily completed being told that his or her credits abroad are not recognised. There are, however, students who fail to meet the pass thresholds abroad and resits or repeats are then required. This would be the case here anyway. As a founder member of the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), we would like to continue to strongly encourage our students to embark on such overseas programmes that provide numerous opportunities for intellectual and personal growth. The value of study abroad is highlighted in the article below: www.topuniversities.com/ wur-comment/employersvalue-international-studentexperience?dotmailer=email&dm_ i=76R,LBBD,1952XP,1Q9TD,1 Professor Colin Grant Pro Vice Chancellor University of Surrey Chair, Executive Committee, University Global Partnership Network (www.ugpn.org) Professor, Thank you for your letter. As you point out, the report that our article (Erasmus scheme could harm degrees, The Stag #36, p4) cited, was based on figures from across Europe and was not solely with regard to Surrey or even the UK. We are very willing to acknowledge that students’ experiences may differ radically from institution to institution. I would like to point out however, that as a coordinated international programme, the institutions participating in Erasmus all have a responsibility for the upkeep of the programme’s image. Furthermore, if 100 out of 9,000 responses to this international survey were about UK credit recognition issues, it could be said that the figure is rather high. I look forward to seeing a report in future from one of our writers about how well Erasmus students perform at the University of Surrey. Yours, the Editor

Investment and the anti-degree brigade
Peter Bailey
outsiders view is one of envy, animosity, indifference or indeed ignorance in this case. Perhaps it is more singularly related to the fact that there is a working generation who were not offered the same opportunities as the kids of the 80’s and 90’s. Of course this has been the topic of much fervent debate in recent months where it is claimed an increase in tuition fees and cuts to education services are strangling the very opportunities which are hailed as golden by our elders. We need a mix of skill sets and education levels in our national industry. We need diversity in business in order for ideas to thrive and be properly implemented. There is a real need to try and understand our working peers with a compassion and sense of team spirit that perhaps could have been neglected before the labouring Global Financial Crisis, in favour of chasing commission or “just being out for oneself”. I believe that the businesses which will be successful in coming years are those which are beginning to discard predispositions towards class and educational stature, instead favouring relevant practical skills and the right kind of attitude. It is a time of opportunities. Regardless of whether you are a university graduate the employment market is being forced through a die into a new shape. Really the only question is whether you took the right level of education for what you think you would like to do, and the rest rapidly becomes history once you start work. I hope for our sake that any animosity between the ‘uni’ and ‘non-uni’ camps can be abated in an era where schoolleaving entrepreneurs can create millions, and equally graduates can still find jobs which provide them a solid return on their tuition fee investment.

BUSINESS

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n interesting time to choose to be a student. A second round of London protests has again prompted examination of the motivations and rewards for this particular career move. Those who are set on attending a Higher Education establishment may be battling with their own demons (financial or otherwise), but it is another sentiment which I have been examining recently. I came from a predominantly University-going sixth form college, where two camps quickly formed in my 18 yearold peer group of the time. Those cultivating their University options positioned themselves knee-deep in prospectuses and submitted to the mercy of UCAS. After a few months of shuffling by those who were unsure, this only left those set against going to University as a remainder. What amazed me was the virile and stalwart defensive against those going to University adopted by those pursuing jobs or vocational courses instead of University. Interestingly I have clocked this distinctive thread throughout society and business ever since. There are a fired-up contingent of individuals going straight into industry from school at either 16 or 18, who likely accrue at least three years experience by the time most graduates even don a suit for their first job interview. The net result of the two-camp predication in our offices and workplaces sometimes seems to be a simmering resentment of students by those who never had the (relative) pleasure. Hard to say whether the

The Stag is looking for your opinions, analyses and letters. Currently all should be submitted to [email protected] at the latest by Friday 25th November for the last edition of the Autumn Term. Updates on post-Christmas editions will be available on the Stag’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheStagSurrey.

The Great Debate
In the next issue we ask students: “Christmas has its basis in Christianity, but with its medieval fusion with pagan ritual and the modern, secular commercialism of the festival, is the meaning of Christmas lost and does society care? Is it time to replace it or time to revive it? What about those from a non-Christian background?” Send responses by Wednesday 30th November to: [email protected]

10 OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

The Great Debate
From photos by Steven Trooster, Chapendra, Gareth Saunders, English106

Students often complain about limited contact hours at Surrey, with many receiving fewer than 10 hours per week. With the introduction of £9,000 tuition fees next year, is the University offering too little for too much?

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Do contact hours and high fees correspond?
tudent contact hours are seen as vital in order to achieve results of excellence. However, with the recent reduction of contact between students and module leaders to ten hours at the University of Surrey, are future students going in for less than they are entitled? Following the increase in tuition fees to £9000 a year, students will undoubtedly want to get the most out of its cost. Although independent learning is encouraged as well as study groups, the necessity of contact hours with module tutors remains. Students strive for excellence, and that can only be achieved through direct contact with the lecturers. Yes, it is worth highlighting that the advancement of technology means students can present their ideas and concerns through e-mails, however, should that be the reason for restricting contact time to just ten hours or less? A Level 1 Politics student comments that although the reduction in contact hours may not be beneficial to many, university is in essence not just about the contact hours. Thus, although there is an increase in tuition fees and a reduction in contact hours, more ways of achieving excellence can be sought. Moreover, she argues that although education is something that a price cannot be put on, the reduction in contact hours may not go down very well. She comments that various courses require different interaction, and if the latter is being reduced to the bare minimum, it could be problematic. Consequently, in terms of the increase in fees, she argues that measuring from the course which she is studying, having only eight contact hours a week does not correspond to the current fee she is paying – the argument being that in hindsight she pays a steep price. The unhappiness of the students is justifiable since module leaders’ help towards achieving the best results. With the reduction of contact hours, and the increase of fees, has the possibility of reduction in overall performance been considered? Since they are being reduced to merely ten hours, the necessity of clearing out topics will increase. So is the university essentially going in for a catch 22?
hours at the 22.6% 29.0% 37.1% 8.1% 1.6% 1.6%

Staff response: ‘I am not sure students really utilise the time they are offered’ I
have taught at Surrey, in FAHS, for two years, and offer a personal response only. I do not speak for the University, any department, and have no understanding of matters outside FAHS. I write only to offer some advice. I note the concern about ‘limited contact hours’. As an undergraduate, in the 1990s, I received fewer contact hours than what my students currently receive at Surrey. However, I had the benefit of a grant and I appreciate your concern. Nevertheless, I am not sure that many students really utilise the time they are offered with academic staff. I am thinking, in particular, of staff office hours. I think perhaps there is a misconception that staff office hours are to be used only when absolutely necessary, when a student is panicking with an imminent essay deadline and is on the point of a breakdown. This is not the case. I set aside two hours each week when any student, in my department, is welcome to come and talk to me about any academic matters. So far, this term, only one student has done this. I would be delighted, during these assigned hours, to talk with students about their essays, their reading, or anything else as long as it is roughly connected to their course of study, but my office remains silent, save for the turning of the pages as I read and wait to see if any students will come and see me this week!

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Cheated of my £3,500 Virtually no contact time is ‘disgraceful’

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Facebook Poll

Do you get enough teaching University of Surrey? I don't have enough hours and want significantly more teaching time I would like a bit more teaching time I don’t have many hours, but that’s okay, because I have a lot of reading to do I wouldn’t want any more – it’s just right I would like a little less teaching time It’s too much now! I’m drowning in information

’m in my first year at the uni, and my course currently has only 8 1/2 contact hours a week, and this is reduced each year. Speaking to some third years, they are only required in lectures for 3 hours a week. Understandably, university isn’t about being spoon fed but rather investing your own time and effort into independent study. However, the structure of your own study is linked to the way in which you have understood and connected with work from lectures. I find myself surrounded by text books but with no sense of where to start as they appear to have no relevance to my current studies – if there was more than one class per week per module, I would have a greater understanding of where the course was going and could study accordingly. Though I’m not paying the higher fees, I still feel somewhat cheated that my £3,500 a year is going towards more time outside of class than in.

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he fact some courses have virtually no contact time with lecturers at this University is disgraceful. We pay hefty fees (increasing substantially next year) – what are we really getting for our money if we receive barely any contact time..? I could understand people arguing for the idea that some courses do need that extra time to read and research; but, really ‘30-40’ hours? Surely we could have more useful support such as tutorials specifically designed to support our writing / studies etc. Yes, they do have people at Splash to assist us but they do not have the same knowledge base as the lecturers themselves or people heavily involved in the subject. I think we are being shortchanged in our education by receiving so little input from the people employed to teach us.

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

FEATURES

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Remember...
By Clowance Lawton, Features Team

Till Death Do Us Part?
By Declan Cooney, Features Team

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orld War veterans can hold their heads high as even though the Wars may be considered to be memories of the past to the majority of us, victories have been won in the name of these brave men; this weekend, Muslims Against Crusades, a group planning an anti-Armistice Day protest were banned with the penalty of facing up to ten years in prison. The organisation had planned to repeat last year’s demonstration, where members had burned poppies near London’s Albert Hall. Remembrance Day was been brought to the forefront of our news last week after FIFA were castigated for their decision to ban the England football team from wearing an embroidered or printed emblem of a poppy on their kits for a friendly match against Spain. Their justification was that it represented a “political statement”. After much criticism, including the help of Prince William, that conclusion was turned around as FIFA had not recognised this emblem as a symbol of national pride, in parallel with the England football shirt. This recent bit of news has served as reminder that Remembrance Day is still relevant to our generation

and those that will follow. The brave men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of their country and its people should never be forgotten; the extent of their courage and bravery are qualities we can only hope to achieve in our lifetime but must always strive to aspire to. We may never have to fight for our country or face possible invasion; but to remember their extraordinary feat makes me proud to be British.

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Still struggling to settle?
By Dave Halls, VP Welfare

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ometimes, despite the best intentions of those around you who care about you, and hopes that you will feel more comfortable in your new surroundings, homesickness doesn’t go away. Perhaps the yearning to be away from your new university life makes you even question your decision to come here. If you feel you have reached this point there are a number of steps you can take. Firstly, it is well worth booking an appointment to speak with the Centre for Wellbeing (at the bottom of University Court, or call 01483 689498, or just 9498 from any campus phone). The free

counselling service the Wellbeing team offer is excellent, and they will be able to talk with you about how you’re feeling to help you get a clearer picture of what is best for you. They won’t try to convince you either way in terms of leaving or staying, but will certainly be able to help you come to a rational conclusion that is best for you. It is also worth discussing how you’re feeling with your personal tutor; again they won’t put any pressure on you to stay or leave, but will be able to help you approach your position from a different angle to the Centre of Wellbeing’s team. It is worth bearing in mind that whilst you might be feeling isolated and missing home, that you’ve made it halfway through term already; in

less than six weeks time, you’ll be heading back home for Christmas. This little break from university to see your friends and family from home could be the perfect chance to realise how much you’ve settled into University life. University isn’t necessarily for everyone, but you took the giant step to decide to come here in the first place, so don’t be too rash in wanting away. Try to explore your options, and keep an open mind; but ultimately, you do have to do what’s best for you – and only you can decide that. Everyone suffers from homesickness in some capacity, but keeping a positive mental attitude can help anyone beat it – otherwise all adults would still be living with their parents!

s somewhat of a closet Reality TV fan, I was shocked to hear that Kim Kardashian (of Keeping Up with the Kardashians fame) is divorcing after just 72 days of marriage. Most difficult to digest about this news, however, is not Kim’s fickleness – although such flightiness by a prominent and emulated public figure is somewhat worrying considering young peoples’ evaporating belief in sticking power – but the trivialisation of marriage at large. Of course, Kardashian’s actions cannot be used to estimate the value Western society places on marriage, but they do represent a change in attitude to “till death do us part”. Putting Kim aside, I nonetheless find myself asking: what is the place of marriage in society today, in which marriage rates have hit an all-time low? Have modern living arrangements, notions of love and family dynamics outpaced it? Clearly, Western society still affords marriage a certain traditional significance; anything in the UK’s general airspace ground to a halt to watch the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marry earlier this year. It is estimated that two billion people considered the wedding worth their viewing time, and snapshots of the day linger among our generation’s most memorable. What was clear in April and remains clear today, however, is that attention was not held mostly, or even significantly, by the ceremony itself. All eyes were instead on the dress, the guests, the ring and the kiss. The emphasis was not on the marriage or the service that created it, but on the wedding and the 24 hours that it dominated. Yes, we love marriage, but would love it less if it lost its theatrics and retained only its institutional importance. I say this, inevitably, at the risk of angering those who do still

value marriage for its religious significance. To those people I apologise, but maintain that they are the minority. Indeed, I find “it’s a religious thing” a mostly inadequate defense of marriage: many who wed in church and espouse its religious implications haven’t set foot in the place before without a wedding planner at their side, diligently rechecking the amount of fairy lights they can graffiti the tapestries with, or how many petals they can get away with tossing down the aisle. And there are countless other ways to practice religion. Take the vast majority of today’s brides and grooms and tell them that the Bible encourages them not just to marry, but to assist the needy, care for the environment and turn the other cheek: they’d scarper from the church quicker than you can say “I do”. Marriage doesn’t even remain the pillar of the happy family. According to the Office of National Statistics, only 53% of births in 2010 were to married parents, or those joined by civil partnership, compared to 88% in 1980. It seems that the very meaning of the word “family” has undergone an expansion, and what it encompasses nowadays relies less and less on the expectation of two married parents. Is this a change we should lament? Of course not: with marriage rates falling speedily it is actually one we seem to be embracing. Adults no longer punish themselves for not achieving the nuclear family, and anything that reduces the amount of anxiety and self-criticism in our ever-more overstressed and high-paced lifestyles can only be a positive. Only time will tell if marriage is really destined to fall off its ageold pedestal and be left instead to the pursuit of the extravagant and shallow. Judging by the picture in 2011? Society and marriage are headed to the divorce courts.

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16 FEATURES

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

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4 8 6 8 1 3 9 2 5 6 7 8 4 3 3 1 8 9 6 4 5 2 9 3 6 4 8 7 9 2

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20 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

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Science & Technology
7 Billion and you!
By Alex Smith, Science & Tech Team

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Birth of the 7 billionth person on the planet

he number of people on the planet has passed the seven billion mark for the first time according to the UN, but what does seven billion mean for us? Well the world isn’t getting overcrowded just yet – that’s for sure. In theory everyone in the world could live in an area the size of France and it would seem no busier than relaxing in the grandeur of Monaco. In fact, if you were to exclude Antarctica, then the world right now is five times less densely populated on average than the UK. So the world isn’t that small just yet. The concept of an optimum

population, which is the number of people earth can sustain indefinitely (given the resources available), was on the agenda in 1994, and researchers put the optimum population at two billion people. So do we have enough resources to go round? A widely used measure of food production is grain production which supplies half of humanity’s calories. Humans need about 200kg of grain a year to survive. If the population and food production grow at the same rates, then by 2020 we would produce 247kg of grain per person. So do we need to take action to prevent pandemic starvation? Seven hundred million people are malnourished even today.

The One Child Policy in China is said to have prevented about 400 million births, which has lowered the global population by about 5%. However this has created an imbalance of men and women in the country, as families wanting sons have opted for a termination if the unborn child is a girl. There would also be problems in implementing this in liberal, western countries, where infringements in human rights are usually rejected. UN estimates do have some uncertainties however - for all we know we could still be below (or equally, above) seven billion. And although the world population is set to rise; the peak is now in sight, as a diminishing global fertility rate means developed and developing populations are reliably predicted to fall by the turn of the century.

Evolution and Anaximander
By Emma Thomas Science & Tech Team

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he scientific theories we know today have deep roots in history. Take evolution for a start. While Darwin is a household name I doubt many of you have heard of Anaximander, a Greek who learned under Thales and later went on to teach Pythagoras. In searching for the element which forms all things, and what we know today to be atoms, Thales believed that water constituted all life. Anaximander contradicted his teacher with how water cannot contain all the opposites of nature i.e. it can only be wet and never dry. However, the idea of water being the origin point for life was

retained. From the existence of fossils, Anaximander claimed that animals came from the sea long ago and it is now widely accepted that the first non-plant species to venture out onto land came from the oceans. These are thought to have been invertebrates capable of tolerating high oxygen levels. The 3rd century Roman, Censorinus, wrote that Anaximander suggested that “either fish or entirely fishlike animals” emerged from the waters first. however, he also theorised that embryonic men, were trapped inside until puberty when they were deemed able to feed themselves. As if the hormonal teenagers didn’t have enough on their plate without realising there was a world

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outside of fish and they now had to take care of themselves, make their own homes and have responsibility. Anaximander also put forward the idea that humans had to spend part of this transition inside the mouths of big fish to protect themselves from the Earth’s climate until they could come out in open air and lose their scales! But the idea of scaled humans isn’t strange to us. While they may now be more associated with Disney and Hans Christian Anderson, mermaids may or may not be an echo of these Greek theories used to explain how creatures first emerged from water onto a world dominated by plants.

This car is similar to Formula 1 cars in terms of construction and gear technology.

Surrey speed
By Dave Holcombe, Science & Tech Team

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Jawbone discovered in Kent over 40,000 years old
By Melissa Raske, Science & Tech Team

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bone discovered in Kent’s Cavern in 1927 has recently been dated and found to be between 41,000 and 44,000 years old, making it the earliest known modern human being in North-western Europe. The bone is part of the upper jaw called the Maxilla and was previously thought to be 35,000 years old but with the use of Bayesian analysis, researchers were able to use the age of bones found near to the depth of the fragment to get a more accurate date. This discovery is particularly significant as it increases the overlap in time in which modern humans and their evolutionary relatives,

Neanderthals, co-existed, something which many scientists have doubts about. It also indicates that modern humans used a number of different routes to enter Europe during the last Ice Age. Two baby teeth unearthed in Italy have also been dated to the same period as the Maxilla providing further evidence for these conclusions.

ormula Student’s James Johnstone (President) and Adam Hoskin (Technical Director) have given some details on the car they are planning to enter into this year’s Formula Student competition, which sees universities worldwide compete against each other. The car uses a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the designer of which now works for McLaren. This construction is comparable to that of Formula 1 cars. More F1 style technology is used within the gear changes. The car will have a push button gear change which will be integrated with the ECU so that gear changes are seamless. The engine has been taken from a Honda CBR 600 motorcycle, it had to be restricted from 110hp to between 80-85hp, in a car that weighs 193kg. So it still has

between 250-300hp/tonne when the weight of the driver is considered. As the engine was from a motorcycle, it was not designed to cope with large lateral g-forces. This meant that the team designed and built a new dry sump for the car to prevent oil surging in the engine and being mixed with air. The team haven’t been able to do much testing on the car as it is still under development but if the 2009 car is anything to go by, it should be good. That car boasted a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and was able pull 1.4G in the corners in cold conditions. These figures are comparable to modern supercars. The 2009 car is currently on display in the entrance to AB03 by the stairwell between AB and AA. The team has high hopes for the 2012 competition with a target of a top three finish. They hope to achieve this by increasing the cars reliability as last year’s car had to retire with a broken driveshaft.

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The Stag |

22nd November 2011

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

21

Speedy neutrinos or hasty pens?
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‘Trekkie’ tractor beams could become a reality
By Ruth Smithers, Science & Tech Team

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hey’re far from Star Trek’s vision of a bright green, attractive beam able to restrict an enemy spaceship’s movement; they also cannot be used as weapons in space-based warfare. However, tractor beams are now close to becoming a reality, as three scientists working at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland have been granted $100,000 to begin developments into the technology. The technology – formally known as optical trapping – is intended to be used to gather sample material from planetary surfaces. The three options which are to be explored include the use of solenoid or Bessel beams. A typical laser has an intensity

peak at its centre, whereas the two alternatives feature peaks which vary, allowing them to produce a force which could potentially be used to attract particles. Solenoid beams have already proven to have such qualities, whilst Bessel beams are yet to be tested experimentally. The alternative option is an adaptation of “optical tweezers”: using a laser beam, focused through a microscope objective, to trap an object using a force in the order of piconewtons. The narrowest part of the beam exhibits a strong electric field, which can be used to attract dielectric particles. These three ideas will be explored by the scientists at NASA, and could contribute significantly to our understanding of other planets.

Stem cells: coming on in leaps and bounds…
By Lawrence Finn, Science & Tech Team

By Neville Boon, Science & Tech Team o neutrinos can travel faster than light. One of the foundations of modern physics has come toppling down on our heads. Or has it? Thursday 22nd of September. I’m sitting outside a busy CERN cafeteria and munching down on a delicious Swiss roast dinner and I want to catch some hint as to what some of the best scientists in the world are working on. I fail miserably, but at least the food is tasty. Unknown to me, someone in one of the nearby buildings was probably finalising a paper for submission. One that would present the world with evidence that neutrino particles can travel faster than the speed of light. Special Relativity (that thing that Einstein did) has one important rule: the universe has a speed limit – the speed of light. Without this rule, cause and effect break down. Current physics would then claim it was possible for you to send a message back in time to tell Hitler’s parents to use a condom. But if he never existed, how would you know to send the message? The speed limit of light is important for our physics to make sense. Scientists at CERN are very interested in weird particles known as neutrinos. To learn

Kaleidoscope at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) more, they create neutrinos and fire them through the earth’s crust towards Italy where large machines record their arrival and measure their odd properties. In doing these experiments they noticed these particles arrived earlier than expected. More than that. About 60 nanoseconds earlier than light should take. Arguably the most important aspects of science are discussion. And rightly so, the supposedly relativity-defying group publish their findings. In the resulting article (http://arxiv. org/abs/1109.4897) ‘possible unknown systematic effects’ were acknowledged for having caused the result and readers are beseeched to help solve the problem. But let’s just ignore this shall we? Particles can travel faster than light. Physics is wrong. Cue media circus. Since the release of this first publication there has been much wild speculation as to the implications of particles travelling faster than the speed of light. Time travel is possible. Physics has to be rewritten. Journey to the stars with ease? Yet very few seem willing to acknowledge a very boring alternative. The results might just be wrong. I just finished an interesting article (http://arxiv.org/ abs/1110.2685) about how the relative motion of the observing satellites could cause around a 60ns error in the CERN results. But why write about this when you can mention time travel and interstellar spaceships? My point is this: don’t believe everything you hear just because someone says ‘scientists done it’. Think about it, do some research and come to your own conclusions. The quiet town of measured scientific debate is a long way from the bustling city of media frenzy.

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or the first time scientists have managed to create artificial blood cells from embryonic stem cells, which could revolutionise transfusion science! It’s all thanks to the collaborative efforts of scientists at Advanced Cell Technology, Massachusetts and the University of Illinois. A successful blood cell is one that can carry large amounts of oxygen, while withstanding the rise in acidity experienced during physical activity. Tests show the artificial cells can do just that! Able to eject their nuclei during maturation in the same way as normal blood cells, they can store just as much haemoglobin -and just as much oxygen. They are also remarkably resilient to changes in pH. Currently, transfusion science faces many hurdles, including supply, the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases from donors, and immune rejection. Yet all this could soon be a thing of the past. So far the team have managed to

produce up to 100 billion blood cells in the lab. We’ll need to grow a lot more than that to treat patients, but doing so would eliminate the risk of cross-infection and open up the possibility of making Onegative blood cells. Incredibly rare, these cells are also incredibly versatile – capable of being given to any patient. The use of embryonic stem cells has not gone un-questioned. To remove the stem cells the embryo must be sacrificed in the processand a potential life along with it. Yet with the recent success in creating embryonic stem cells from skin cells, we might soon be able to bypass the issue entirely. The prize: ‘better science coinciding with better ethics,’ according to ethicist Josephine Quintavalle. Today blood cells, tomorrow…who knows!

New surveillance system could be used for indiscriminate monitoring
By Kate McAtamney, Science & Tech Team

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he Met police have acquired a new piece of technology to monitor mobile phone communications, which also has the potential to track individual’s movements in real time. This surveillance system emits a signal across roughly ten square kilometres and creates a false network that mobile phones try to connect to. This allows the Met police to do three things. Firstly, it allows the police to monitor calls and SMS messages more easily than they can at present. Secondly, the internet is taken down by an ‘intelligent denial of service’. During the July riots, the use of social networking sites and Blackberry messenger were cited as ways of individuals communicating and organising very quickly; the use of this technology by the Met police

means that any communication via the internet would not be possible. And finally, connecting to the false networks sends out the IMSI and IMEI security codes of the phone, and these are used to track an individual’s movements in real time. This technology has clear applications in riot situations where key protagonists can be singled out, and the intelligent denial of service is designed to prevent mobile phones being used to remotely detonate bombs. However, there are also very concerning ethical issues that lawyers and privacy groups have raised. Due to the distance covered by the signal, there is indiscriminate monitoring of all people within ten square kilometres, nothing is known about where the data is stored or who has access to it, and a body of people is cut off from information on the internet that may help

them avoid potentially violent areas. The creators of this surveillance system, Datong Plc are a Leeds-based company that have the US Secret Service and the Ministry of Defence as customers. In 2009, Datong Plc were denied an export license to ship technology to an unnamed Asia pacific country as the software was seen as having the potential to be used to commit human rights offences.

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22 DANCE & THEATRE

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

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Dance & Theatre
James Wilton: Triple Bill Physicality at its finest
By Hannah Jelliman, Dance & Theatre Editor

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spotlight rises on a solitary female sat with her arms above her head as if hanging from invisible strings, and the audience is unsure what to expect from emerging choreographer James Wilton. Making his first appearance at Surrey, Wilton presented an exciting triple bill loaded with acrobatics, daring lifts and breath-taking movement. Recently graduated from London Contemporary Dance School, Wilton is becoming rapidly established in the contemporary dance world, and has just been awarded the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship Award. Throughout the evening, Wilton’s incredible talents as both a choreographer and performer wowed the audience. The first piece, ‘Cave’, was an explosive quintet which displayed intense physicality: the dancers threw themselves at each other and across the blank, black stage with a fearless quality that both shocked and amazed. The use of manipulation was a key feature, with several duets and trios involving interchanging active and passive roles. Adam Gain particularly stood out, becoming doll–like as he was moved and lifted around the stage. The piece showed great contrast of being grounded with flight, displaying acrobatic lifts followed by drops and melts into the floor and fast, intricate floor sequences. The next piece was ‘Falling Unknown’, a duet

between Sarah Jane Taylor and James Wilton himself. The piece started off with a sense of uncertainty, almost feeling like the audience were observers of a rehearsal. The dancers wore casual clothes, trainers and had a relaxed approach to the choreography, smiling and almost laughing at each other. However, as the piece progressed, some clear choreographic concepts became apparent which were both simple yet effective. The most memorable section of the piece was arguably the final one, in which Taylor removed her shoes, yet her feet never touch the floor. Wilton assisted her in complicated lifts, moving her around his body and providing ‘stepping stones’ with his body parts for her to walk on. The final piece, ‘The Shortest Day’, was the winner of the 2010 Sadler’s Wells Global Dance Contest. The work pushed the four dancers to their absolute limits, with Wilton’s choreographic aim to do as much as physically possible in just 15 minutes. Despite having similar movement ideas to the previous pieces, ‘The Shortest Day’ had a darker quality, displaying power, desperation and franticness. James Wilton proved himself as a choreographer who will undoubtedly be inspirational in the contemporary dance world, with a long, exciting career ahead of him. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the future!

James Wilton contemporary dance choreographraphy

Death and the Maiden – Harold Pinter Theatre
By Tiffany Stoneman, Dance & Theatre Team The Musical Theatre Society 2011 Showcase

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Review: Musical Theatre Society Showcase 2011
By Emily Bourne, Dance & Theatre team

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n Monday 14th November, I went to see the Musical Theatre Society’s autumn showcase, and as always I was so impressed with the vocal talent that all the members displayed. It was an informal and fun evening to raise money for charity, with a mix of group and solo numbers from well–known musicals. My particular favourites were ‘Who will buy’ from Oliver, ‘The movie in my mind’ from Miss Saigon and ‘Skid Row’ from The little shop of horrors. In March, they will be putting on a production of Guys and Dolls, and after last year’s excellent production of Rent, and being awarded Society of the Year at last year’s student awards, I have no doubts that the standard will be even higher this year. If you’re a fan of musicals, or even if you’re not, I definitely urge you to go and checkout this society’s great work!

he play by Ariel Dorfman, first performed in 1991, focuses on Paulina Salas in an unnamed Latin American country. A young woman abused by members of the previous dictatorship becomes convinced that a man who helped her husband on the roadside is actually the sadistic doctor who supervised the most atrocious tortures in her past. Thandie Newton plays the role of Paulina with striking ferocity and passion, switching between loving wife and avenging victim with startling intensity. Unsure whether she has gone mad with anger or whether Dr. Miranda is in fact the man who left her to die all those years ago, the audience is captivated. Paulina’s husband, Gerardo, is a surprisingly passive character who seems unable to stop his wife’s actions. Though at times slightly uncertain, Tom Goodman– hill plays him with an unending devotion, finding the balance between shock and support as Gerardo too suffered as a political prisoner. Dr. Miranda (Anthony Calf) leaves the audience feeling a mixture of pity and defiance as we see him presented in this instance as the victim, whilst never wholly denying nor confirming paulina’s story. A very

difficult and complex character who calf tackles with ease. Death and the Maiden is an intense play that looks at politics, madness, abuse and deceit, and with no interval, it mustn’t be approached lightly. However, it is a piece of political drama that highlights the importance of justice and the things that go unseen - possibly just as important today as when it was first produced twenty years ago.

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The Stag |

22nd November 2011

DANCE & THEATRE

23

The Madness of King George III
By Lexi Sutton, Dance & Theatre Team

Your fortnightly guide to the Arts at Surrey

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his production has had a lot of hype surrounding it, so I was especially looking forward to watching it. I know quite a bit about King George the 3rd and the illness surrounding him, so this production really interested me. The play started off wonderfully: David Haig captured every essence I had imagined of the King before his severe mental breakdown. Not only did haig fulfil my expectations, but he was captivating to watch, and a likeable portrayal of the King. The scenes between him and his wife, Beatie Edney, who plays Queen Charlotte, the plump and artistic daughter of the Duke, were unbelievably comic. The Lady Pembroke, played by Charlotte Asprey, also deserves a mention due to her likeable, reserved character that caught

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David Haig plays the part of King George III the attention of the King during his severe mental breakdowns. Although the start of the play was hilarious and understandable, the ‘madness’ set into the performance very quickly, much quicker than anticipated. Sadness was the effect of the illness on the audience, a desperate loss of a) a great character but b) of the understanding of the character. Haig was incredible, but it would have been satisfying to see more of the original King. This play, although aimed at an older audience, would have been suitable for any age. Though there were minor details which could have been polished, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the audience truly connected with the Mad King and his family. Another brilliant production for the Yvonne Arnaud.

pellbinding stories from the world’s saltiest stage! In November 2009, eight performers from award winning theatre company New International Encounter (NIE) embarked on a 3500mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, from France to Guadeloupe, aboard a cargo ship. With the help of Icelandic novelist, poet and Björk lyricist Sjón, NIE create a lyrical and funny show combining their trademark mix of storytelling, physical theatre, live music, multiple languages and European ensemble. Sail alongside a Second World War naval officer in the Indian Ocean, and discover the story of ella, the first ever Norwegian female trawler woman. These tales and more intertwine with NIE’s own experiences on their voyage. Don’t miss your chance to see this European company when they come to the University’s PATS Studio. Find out more about the NIE at: www.nie-theatre.com.

This fortnight’s Dance and Theatre Highlight:
What: Tales from a Sea Journey When: Wednesday 30th November, 7:30 pm Where: PATS Dance Studio How Much: £12 (£10 Senior Citizens; £7 Students)

Review: Hatched Mamela Nyamza
By Lucy Jarvis, Dance & Theatre Team

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stage flooded with red cloth. The bare back of a body assaults us. Washing is hung out and the body places a bucket upon its bald head. Cautiously, the body rises up onto pointe shoes previously concealed. Is this a body of Western or African origin? Is this body male or female? Finally the body turns… Identity is the key theme in Mamela Nyamza’s Hatched, which closed the penultimate evening of this year’s Dance Umbrella. An autobiographical work, Hatched tells the story of a woman faced with a life of dualism: she is a South African performing in the UK, but also a dancer who is a mother. Nyamza is a woman battling with anxieties about domesticity. She flits and falters about the stage, intermittently scrubbing the floor and rearranging clothes. her son lounges under a desk, initially covered by a giant red cloth, as if still enclosed within the safety of her womb. He barely notices her. But, as she potters about, her movement is peppered with moments of miniaturised ballet, performed with frantic, joyful release. Nyamza is battling with her new identity as a mother, while still clinging on to her life as a performer. however, Nyamza faces another conflict, as a South African performing in the West. Nyamza addresses this by juxtaposing movement vocabulary and accompaniment from both cultures, referencing both classical Western music and dance, and also traditional African vocal scores and grounded movement. Hatched is a sequel to Nyamza’s previous work Hatch, where she explored the changes in her life with the birth of her son. Moving on, Nyamza has created a poignant story that speaks to anyone who has ever felt a conflict with their own identity and questioned where they belong in the world.

Jelliman’s Gems:
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” Oscar Wilde

©Photographer- Val Anderson

24 FILM

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

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Film
Wuthering Heights (2011)
By Christina Maria Webb, Film Team

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he particularly teasing trailer to the most recent adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel, Wuthering Heights, mixed with the controversy and innovative stylistic choices of director Andrea Arnold, had me excited and eager to see the cinematic release on the day it came out, and I wasn’t disappointed. The sense of place is established effectively in both the visual and the auditory. Winning the 2011 Cannes Osella Award for Best cinematography, one of the film’s most experimental qualities is stunning, yet dizzying – as both a positive and negative remark. Sometimes the abundance of extreme close-ups and the constant playing around with focus distracts, but the cinematography adds realism and detail – from the tapping trees at Cathy’s bedroom window, to many establishing shots not of the houses but of, for example, a single flower instead. We are put into the eyes of the characters, which effectively highlights the physical senses, rather than just the mental and emotional, from Heathcliff smelling Cathy’s hair and gripping her wrist to Cathy pulling his hair out. Here, both the gentle and the violent convey their frustration, intrigue and closeness without speech.

Until the end of the film, there is no non-diegetic music. Along with the amplified sounds of wind and rain, the bleakness, isolation and cold of the environment that is so central to the novel’s atmosphere is heightened. In the risk of new and relatively unknown actors, the film’s casting is successful, especially with this lack of music and in a narrative that focuses so much so on the acting to draw compassion for the characters. The younger Heathcliff and Cathy were particularly apt in their roles, with Solomon Glave and Shannon Beer receiving the 2011 International Award to the Young Actors. Controversial in casting the first black heathcliff, a background of slavery was added in instead of the usual expectations of the ‘darkskinned gypsy.’ Racially provoked slurs and violence erupt. This alteration could disrupt interest in fans, but I wouldn’t dismiss it, as the idea is carried well and fits with the experimental use of sharp language – one wouldn’t usually expect the ‘C’ word to have sprung from Emily Bronte’s novel, but in the anguish we feel for the characters, it works. To many fans of the novel, like the 1939 adaptation, the latter half of the novel was forgotten. But this doesn’t disappoint hugely, as it gives Heathcliff and Cathy’s

relationship more attention. In its harshness, the film does not lack heart. Primarily a romance, Wuthering Heights’ minimalistic approach, seen in the little dialogue, cutting the plot and abstaining from theatricality creates a striking and cruel realism which brought more tears to my eyes than it would have done if sensationalised or exaggerated. It felt longer than it should have done, it is extremely brutal and sometimes the establishing extreme close-ups became too repetitive, but it stands as an example of capturing feeling in the picture rather than in words, in stark contrast to the novel, but expressing its same intentions. Being the 27th film adaptation of the novel, the film needed to be as contemporary and controversial as it is. This Wuthering Heights is not a typical costume drama, but it succeeds even more so than if it had been, as a fresh, moving and visionary accomplishment. Definitely one of the most poignant, interesting and inventive films of 2011. A must see. Verdict: Wuthering Heights is successfully moving and disturbing in the most subtle sense. Controversial and innovative in language, casting and style, it is beautifully filmed and depicts a great sense of place. It is slow

paced, but strongly performed in an adaptation that relies so much on empathy for the relationships

of its characters, and a visual masterpiece.

I Don’t Know How She Does It
By Tiffany Tucker, Film Team

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his film seems to somewhat prepare me for what’s in store in a few years time. Most women conform to the ideal lifestyle: a great job, lovely family, supportive husband. However, for main character Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker), keeping these parts of her life in check are much harder than they seem. What makes I Don’t Know How She Does It different is the style in which it is directed. There are various monologues which come from different characters, each talking about Kate’s dilemmas. Whether praising or criticising her efforts, they are all executed in a humorously quirky way. While the film allowed me to realise just how stressful a woman’s life can be, that is all it seemed to do. It was

entertaining and made me smile at times, but there seemed to be no identifiable, gripping plot. It followed on as it began, and by the end there is no real sense that anything significant ever occurred. Kate does come to the realisation that her family is more important than the job in which she loves, but we know that she is aware of this from the beginning, anyway. The ending is far too predictable, and familiar to what we are accustomed to, in these types of comedy- dramas. The one redeeming aspect is the character of Momo Hahn, played by Olivia Munn, whose sense of pessimism is the funniest part of the film. Overall, it’s a film to watch, but not if you want to come away learning something valuable: all of the life lessons that I Don’t Know How She Does It provides are those that we already know.

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

FILM

25

Cool World
By Caroline James, Film Team

The Change Up (2011)
By Tiffany Tucker, Film Team

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efore I begin, I must confess that I take an occasional guilty pleasure in watching a film that I find absolutely awful. This is usually to remind myself of what makes a film bad, or to make myself appreciate the films I truly love even more, or even to find something so, so bad that I can use it as the ruler for all terrible movies to be measured. Cool World (1992) is certainly one of them. Cool World was directed by Ralph Bakshi, who made a name for himself in the 1970’s with his controversial adult-orientated animated films, such as Fritz the Cat (1972) and Coonskin (1975). Cool World however, died at cinemas, and was criticized by the majority of reviewers. The film concerns Jack Deebs (gabriel Byrne), a cartoonist who is transported into the animated world he has created by Holli Would (voiced by Kim Basinger), his seductive, voluptuous cartoon fantasy. The only other human in Cool World is Frank (Brad pitt), the world’s police officer, who enforces the only rule: that ‘noids’ (humans) cannot have sex with ‘doodles’ (cartoons). However, we quickly learn that Holli has intentions of seducing Jack, because having sex with a noid would make her become one too. From the plot alone I couldn’t help but perceive it as some kind of weird selfindulgent sexual fantasy on the part of Bakshi and

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the animators. However, I’d say the only redeeming factor is the animated world’s set designs, which are like an M.C Escher/H.R Giger hybrid. Unfortunately, this does not outdo all the chaotic animation that takes up each frame, or the film’s disorienting fast pace and incomprehensible conclusion. In summary, Cool World is just one of those films I love to hate. It’s full of plot-holes and leaves me with a slight headache each time. On the other hand, if you feel like watching something obscure, amazingly bad or even just to see that creepy, awkward sex scene between a human and a cartoon (you pervert), then I’d suggest you give it a watch. The choice is yours.

irected by David Dobkin, the man responsible for the success of The Wedding Crashers, The Change Up puts a modern spin on the classic ‘switching bodies’ scenario. The film focuses on two old friends who lead two very different lives. Dave Lockwood, played by Jason Bateman, is the over-achieving family man, stuck in a world of nappies and baby bottles. Mitch Planko (Ryan Reynolds), on the other hand, spends his single days getting high and getting in with the ladies. After a night of drinking, both men comment on the unfulfilling aspects of their lives, stating that they would much rather have one another’s. After urinating into a fountain, their wishes are granted, and they wake up the next morning horrified and dazed by the events which have occurred.

The rest of the film follows in true body-swapping fashion. After the initial instance of dismay at having to conform to a new way of living and complete new identities, they fall into their roles with both good and bad consequences: Dave enjoys the liberated freedom from his stifling marriage, whilst Mitch is able to learn responsibility. Though it appears very predictable, the film is filled with hilarious moments which add to its originality. The writers also manage to hit on points of sentimentality and love, with the realisation that ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’. Dobkin proves that the switching-bodies film can never run out of fashion if carried out in the correct way. However, by employing Reynolds and Bateman as the core characters, the film was sure to be a comedic success.

Monte Carlo (2011)
By Laura Howard, Film Team

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n this slightly cheesy rom-com, American teenager Grace Bennett (played by former Disney Channel starlet Selena Gomez) travels to Paris for a holiday with her best friend and stubborn stepsister. It all seems to be going disastrously wrong, until she is mistaken for a wealthy English aristocrat, and whisked away to have the time of her life in Monte Carlo. So far, completely unoriginal, right? To be honest, this was never going to be a film that pushed boundaries. That said, it’s a reasonable, commercial effort and the cast do well in bringing

the slightly two-dimensional characters to life. Leighton Meester brings a sense of realism to the role of Grace’s misunderstood stepsister Meg, and Catherine Tate is great at embodying the rather grand Aunt Alicia. Glee’s Cory Monteith also impresses, despite having an underdeveloped role as Owen, who serves primarily as a love interest to Katie Cassidy’s character, Emma. On the whole, this movie is predictable and clichéd, and contains some strange American ideas about Europe (no matter what they seem to think, Majorca will never be seen as a posh aristocratic retreat!). however, it’s a light-hearted film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you don’t either, you might just enjoy it.

Quarantine
By Tiffany Tucker, Film Team

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efore watching this film, I was curious about the nature of its genre. It is, of course, undoubtedly a horror film, but once you’re engulfed in the core of the plot it’s evident it borrows elements from science fiction: the sub-plot is focused on the contagious rabies which captures each of the characters in a tragic bid to survive the turbulent night of death and devastation. The film is shot by hand-held camera and follows news reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her camera man Scott percival (Steve harris) filming at

a los Angeles fire station, following the antics and regular routine of the firemen who work there. Angela is excited to accompany the firemen on one of their rescues, when they receive a 911 call leading them to an apartment building to investigate the loud screams coming from a woman. With the police already on the scene, the firemen and Angela come to realise that the woman has been struck by an unknown infection. After some of the residents are brutally attacked, they make an attempt to flee the scene, only to realise that the CDC has quarantined the building and any attempt to escape has been removed. here, begins the fight for survival. With no Internet access, television or phone coverage they are terrified of their lack of control or knowledge of what they are

up against. They all come to accept their inevitable fate, and fireman Jake, played by the handsome Jay Hernandez, helps to protect those who have not yet been infected. The film is a remake of the Spanish film Rec, however, it is adapted into a far more thrilling and cinematic Hollywood blockbuster. The questions which run through your mind, provided that you don’t already know the mysteries of their situation, keep you enticed throughout, and by the last scene you’ll be truly terrified. The use of darkness and unsteady camera work, works excellently to provide a gripping watch. If you haven’t been scared by a horror film in a while, Quarantine will at least have you jumping with fright at more than one moment.

26 LITERATURE

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

In Conversation with... Sarah de Carvalho
By Alexandra Wilks, Literature Editor

Literature

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arah de Carvalho founded Happy Child International in 1993 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The charity focuses on the rescue of Street Children and has since directly helped eight and a half thousand. Sarah has written three books: The Street Children of Brazil, a Survival Guide to Frontline Living and Solomon’s Song. Solomon’s Song is her first novel and has been indicated for the COSTA 2011 book of the year. It tells the story of Solomon, a Brazilian boy and Kiera, an American girl as they grow up miles apart, both looking for a love which will overcome their suffering. The novel has received critical acclaim, described by Chris Rogers from the BBC as ‘Worthy of a film on the big screen. Beautifully written and gripping’. The Stag was lucky enough to meet with Sarah and interview her.

Montana. Kiera is searching for the key to the song of life, a love that will transcend everything… TS: It sounds fascinating! You used to work for Sky, what inspired the change of career path SC: When my contract ended with Sky, I decided to go to Brazil and lived in Rio de Janeiro for a year. I then spent a further ten years in Brazil. I was so shocked by what I saw: children who run away from home, due to abuse or lack of food, and create homes for themselves in abandoned places. I found a gang of children living under a viaduct. What I saw made me realise I needed to help these people. TS: So, can you tell me a bit more about what Happy Child International does? SC: We place a large emphasis on rescuing children from the streets. We aim to rehabilitate them, and re-unite them with their family if possible. This involves working with the family as well. We also educate these children. We have ten homes in Brazil which children can stay in for up to two years, in which we work with them and their family. Our ultimate aim is to break the poverty cycle. TS: What does the future hold for Happy Child International?

The Stag: First of all, can you tell me more about Solomon’s Song? Sarah de Carvalho: Solomon’s Song is the story of Solomon, a boy who lives in the beautiful mountains of the Serra des Orgaos, in Brazil. Solomon is a talented musician with a scholarship to a music school. Due to tragic events, Solomon’s life is shattered when his family have to move to the slums of Rio de Janeiro. The novel also follows the story of Keira, growing up on a privileged ranch in

Rodrigo, 13, on the streets of Recife, N.E.Brazil, with Sarah de Carvalho, CEO of Happy Child, March 2001 SC: Our next step for Happy Child International is to set up a project for girls in North East Brazil. We also plan to do similar work in Angola and Mozambique. TS: Finally, you are on the committee board of 180° Alliance. Can you tell me more about that? SC: 180° Alliance was formed in 2005 and is made up of six organisations that work with Street Children. We have come together, unified by our belief that no child should have to sleep on the streets. The Alliance is a place where we can share information and present models of best practise.

To donate to Happy Child International, go to www.happychild.org/waystodonate/

Death of the paperback?
trains and became part of the coffee shop’s furniture, did any of us notice the traditional paperback crying out for help? There’s no doubt that bookstores have suffered during the past decade, and many look to package up the paperback and push it into a dusty corner of the attic, ready for future auctions when they may be ‘worth something’ in a manner very similar to the LP record. However, there are still those who wish to cling to the paperback, fearing its death and raising the question: is the future of the paperback a bleak one or can it successfully battle technologies’ ambition to alter our methods of reading? The rise of the Kindle can be explained with a study of its advantages over the book. As men and women of all ages and literary interests remove a Kindle from their bag, they are free to read whatever they wish without judgement from onlookers. An important business man can freely read Pride and Prejudice without embarrassment from his fellow commuters and Sally can fantasise with an erotic Lawrence novel whilst innocently waiting for her son Jack to finish his swimming lesson. Another advantage of the Kindle is its ability to contain an abundance of literature within a small tablet, whilst novels clutter bookshelves, reduce space in the study and weigh down bags. Plus, the Kindle often offers texts cheaply, with many classics available for free, and one can simply enter the vast world of literature at a touch of a button whilst sat on the sofa, rather than venturing out in the rain to the bookstore to find that they’ve already sold out of One Day. With these benefits, it’s hard to understand why some resent the rise of the Kindle, yet there are still those who lament the paperback’s death and strive to keep a hold on the book: but why? Many argue that the paperback is more fulfilling, as all the senses are involved in the reading experience. One can touch the pages, listening to their crisp flick as they are turned. paperback enthusiasts prefer to read fonts on the page rather than electronic text on a screen – that which is associated with the stresses of the office. Fans of the book also enjoy having physical copies of their reading lining their bookshelves and simply favour holding actual copies of a writer’s work. Of course, one could not mention that renowned smell that everyone readily anticipates as they open a new (or old) book. Yet the perseverance to save the paperback from death seems trivial to technology’s progression, and the reader’s desire to save money, time and space, ultimately making the death of the paperback more likely, despite its valiant battle.
© umpc portal

By Sophie Vickery, Literature Team

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ovember 2007 was the beginning of a new era for the literary world, as Amazon released the Kindle First generation. It sold out in five and a half hours, foreshadowing big changes in the world’s reading to come. The last four years has seen the release of additional models and their eager demand across the globe. September of this year celebrated the arrival of a touchscreen Kindle, available with Wi–Fi and 3G connectivity. But as Kindles crept into holiday hand luggage, boarded

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

LITERATURE

27

Twilight: up to the hype?
By Rachel Thomason, Literature Team

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© Huntingdon Theartre Company

ith the recent release of the penultimate Twilight film, Breaking dawn: Part 1, on the 18th November, it seemed apt to return to the very books that started the ‘Twihard’ phenomenon. Stephenie Meyer has sold over one hundred million copies of her novels worldwide, but that doesn’t mean that The Twilight Saga has a flawless reputation. Whilst the hype over Twilight mounts, the criticism of the quality of Meyer’s novels has also increased. American horror writer Stephen King has stated that “[she] can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”

provides a safe barrier against the harm which could come to Bella, whilst still maintaining his lust for her blood. This, in conjunction with his fierce desire to protect her, does make the attraction to Edward a whole lot more obvious: his character combines the romance and danger of many girls’ dreams. However, Meyer has also been accused of creating an anti-feminist heroine because of Bella’s complete dependence on Edward. In The Twilight Saga: New Moon, after Edward leaves, Bella determines that her “Love, life, meaning… [is] over” and she even goes on to put herself in grave danger just so she can imagine Edward’s voice again. Her almost sickening reliance

“Meyer has also been accused of creating an anti-feminist heroine”
And to be completely brutal, if we strip Twilight down to what it really is – a book about a rather miserable teenage girl who falls in love with a sparkly vegetarian vampire – how has it become the centre of every girl’s fantasies around the world? Although it could be argued that it’s the threat of Edward’s vampirism which makes him attractive, and his ‘bad boy’ character, Edward is actually a bit soft. He avoids trouble at all costs, refuses to take Bella’s virtue before their marriage and refuses on several occasions to bite her. So why do millions still devote themselves to ‘Team Edward’? It seems to be because, when reading the novel, the first person narration causes women (in particular) to picture themselves as the beautiful Bella with the amazingly handsome Edward, who is completely besotted with her. Furthermore, his ‘vegetarianism’ on Edward, not only in this book but throughout the saga, prompts many to suggest that she is unable to make independent decisions, and could not live her life without his guidance and moral perfection. Meyer defends her heroine’s choices on her website, stating that “she is a character in a story… this is not even realistic fiction… so no one could ever make her exact choices”. This is a reasonable argument to make. Amongst all the disapproval of Twilight, people have almost forgotten that it is fiction. Though I have highlighted some of the negative aspects of this saga, I am a Twilight addict – there is definitely something to like about these novels. So allow yourself to join the global hype, to suspend your disbelief and indulge in the forbidden romance, danger and seduction that we all secretly crave, something that The Twilight Saga brings to life.

To study or not to study: that is the question
By Rachel Burgress, Literature Team

The bard works hard: Shakespeare is still a curriculum favourite.

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s an English Literature student, my immediate reaction was: of course! Shakespeare is the greatest playwright of English history, how could anyone not want to study his works? However, I will admit that my opinion may be a little biased. The work of Shakespeare has been embedded in the national curriculum for years, even my parents remember learning Hamlet and Macbeth, but why are we still studying the works of a man who was writing over 400 years ago? Literature is so vast and is expanding all the time; surely there are others writers who deserve praise for their work without being overshadowed by the familiarity of Shakespeare. Having said that, there are timeless qualities to Shakespeare’s writing which makes it relevant even in the light of modern ideas and concepts. It could be said that the foundation of modern literature stems from the initial plots and storylines of Shakespeare’s plays: for example, the story of Romeo and Juliet, which has been re-told many times. Indeed, forbidden love is still one of literature’s most prevalent themes. Shakespeare not only provides unique literary

expression through his language and poetic style, but also through his tendency to draw from other authors in order for his works to be more historically accurate. Anthony and Cleopatra was dramatised by Shakespeare using Plutarch as a source; the documented facts were transformed into a story which is interesting and engaging to its audience. In this sense, Shakespeare is not only a great storyteller, but also a great historian. However, there is great controversy surrounding Shakespeare in whether or not he was the true author of all of those plays and sonnets. The recently released film Anonymous asks the question “Was Shakespeare a fraud?” and suggests that the works of Shakespeare were actually written by Edward de Vere, an Elizabethan aristocrat. This is just one of many theories in the vast scope that questions if Shakespeare really was the great writer he is respected as being. Whatever the case and however intense the argument, my view is that we should still study Shakespeare because he still has a lot to offer: emotional language, exciting storylines, passionate tragedies, engaging comedies and heartfelt sonnets.

© Larkyn

28 MUSIC

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

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REVIEW: Florence + The Machine - ‘Ceremonials’
By James Campbell, Music Team

Music

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merging like stellar beings evoked from fairy tales, the chanteuse Florence Welsh and her band of musical myrmidons billow onto English shores once more; but are we ready to absorb these revenants and their mystifying melodies? Upon the debut release of ‘Lungs’ in 2009, Florence + The Machine were quickly etched into the social conscious of the pop world with a robust and iconoclastic sounding record, establishing musician and singer Welsh as a big personality, with an even bigger diaphragm. Two years down the line and ‘Ceremonials’ is a fitting embodiment for this group’s on-going musical crusade; a stylised and grandiose recording adorned with melodies comparable to Gaelic folk tales of old. Nevertheless, ‘Ceremonials’ does not only present the perspective listener with a set of rites and rituals embodied in its sound; this most recent record is a means of forging Welsh’s musical stance, her own rite of passage, and so lead at the helm by this eccentric navigator, we are launched into uncharted seas, swept along as this musical odyssey sets sail. ‘Ceremonials’ is like an ocean current; it ebbs and flows, transporting listeners through

the churn and swirl of a seething musical tide, as enigmatic as the deep. Principal track, ‘Only if for a night’ sets the tone; powered by the majesty of quivering harp, punchy piano chords and clamorous chants, it is a great opening for this musical procession to march to. ‘Seven devils’ exudes a hypnotic battering of toms, accompanied by haunting incantations, reminiscent of spell casting witches around cauldrons. Simultaneously, ‘What the water gave me’ is a song with guts; bathed in mournful vocals, foreboding chords and melodic twists and turns, it envelops our eardrums as if we are drifting in this interminable ocean of mystifying sound. In the same vein, ‘Bedroom Hymns’ and ‘Remain nameless’ are dynamic pieces, lying dormant before erupting into powerful torrents of vocals and harmonies from a roaring banshee, followed in hot pursuit by energetic percussion. ‘Leave my body’, ‘All things and Heaven too’, and ‘No light, no light’, give rise to a pounding of drums, the palpitating plucking of the harp, peals of clamorous vocal lines, intensified by the steady pit pat of flowing piano chords that rush, swell and surge perpetually throughout; there is plenty contained within this musical deluge that lets the imagination run wild. ‘Ceremonials’ has pace and

charisma, but although songs are fit to burst with climatic build-ups and dynamical shifts, there is a bit too much comedown that curtails this record’s overall delivery. ‘Ceremonials’ may be a little over done for some, whereby tracks do seem to merge from one to the next without any real distinction between opening bars, and promising intros lack the vigour that they should have in order to keep listeners hanging on every note. Despite her vocal range, occasionally Welsh’s performance lacks the necessary lustre that gave the band it’s notorious humph when they took the music scene by storm with Lungs; the once raging cyclone dwindles away to a light, mild breeze in places. Nevertheless, ‘Ceremonials’ will appeal to both the already converted and the curious; the music is eccentric as are the conjurers behind this musical concoction, and if bizarre pagan pop is your thing, then look no further!

Ceremonials is on sale at ITunes at £7.99, (a deluxe version at £12.99 includes acoustic versions and remixes of selected titles from the album; worth checking out to savour a bit more of the flavour on offer from Welch & Co).

Florence + he Machine’s new album really is something to shout about.

"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand" - Stevie Wonder (Sir Duke)

Lyrical ‘Genius’ – 10 of the best one-liners

HEAR ME OUT!
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o this is the part of the issue where we go out into the wild world, find a willing participant and discover exactly what they like to hear. So if you see someone walking around, armed with a voice recorder and a camera, do not fear… although saying that, we may be coming for you.

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good lyric has a real sense of power. They can be as simple as "You've lost that loving feeling" (The Righteous Brothers) or as complex as "Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're trying to be so quiet" (Bob Dylan, Visions of Johanna), but whatever it is, a good lyric can stay with you forever, and it seems that the lyricists of today still have that magic touch with words, to create lyrics that attract the same attention as the classics of popular music. Here are just a few ‘attention grabbing’ lyrics from the Bob Dylan's and Leonard Cohen's of today:

Did you know . . .
. . . the double bass played by Paul McCartney on 'The Song We Were Singing' (1997) is the same one played by Bill Black on several Elvis Presley recordings, including 'Heartbreak Hotel' (1956)?

Name: Hannah Smith Age: 19 Studying: Maths – Level 2 Favourite Genre: Rock/Alternative Top 3 Artists: Muse, 30 Seconds to Mars, Queen Guilty Pleasure: Katy Perry Ultimate song: Such Great Heights – The Postal Service

1) “I mean, my my my my, you’re like pelican fly” Nicki Minaj - Super Bass 2) “I’m starting to feel just a little abused, like a coffee machine in an office” Shakira – She Wolf 3) “I’m surrounded by some bunnies, and it ain’t f*cking Easter” Swedish house Mafia & Tinie Tempah – Miami 2 Ibiza 4) “Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick” Lady Gaga – Love Game 5) “You can tell your boyfriend if he says he’s got beef, That I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t f*cking scared of him” 30H!3 – Don’t Trust Me 6) “They say I’m up and coming like I’m f*cking in an elevator” Ed Sheeran – You Need Me, I Don’t Need You 7) “The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed” One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful 8) “Me not working hard? Yeah right, picture that with a Kodak, or better yet, go to Times Square, take a picture of me with a Kodak” Pitbull, Afrojack, Ne-Yo, Nayer - Give Me Everything 9) “I’ll be lounging on the couch just chilling in my Snuggie, Switch to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie” Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song 10) “Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle yeah” LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It

32 SOCIETIES

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

Formula Racing Society
By James Johnstone, Formula Student Society President

Societies

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…1… GO! The Formula Student Society held its first go-Karting event at the TeamSport Karting Track in Camberley Wednesday 9th November. The track itself is 375m in length and contains a sequence of tight hairpins and a challenging 450° banked corner. Due to the recently polished wood flooring, conditions were relatively slippery and grip out on the circuit was hard to come by. Bragging rights go to Nicolas Gonelle who achieved an outstanding time of 26.01 seconds, an amazing 3/10 quicker than anybody else in that session. Overall it was a really good event; there was even time to grab some good old fashioned fish ‘n’ chips afterwards! So if you fancy yourself as the next Lewis Hamilton then please get in touch, as we will be holding many more Go-Karting events in the future. The Formula Student Society built its first car in 2008 for the Formula Student competition. This car never took part in the event but it spurred on the creation of the 2009 car which did take part in the competition. Since then the society has been going well, getting cars to both the 2010 and 2011 events. Weekly meetings are held in the Formula Student lab (opposite 02AC01) at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

If you’re free at this time and fancy popping down, you are more than welcome. There have been a couple of projects running on the car recently one of which was to re-design the push bar used for manoeuvring the car around while it’s not being driven. The other project was that the battery needed to be re-located. To get any more information on the society or on the car itself, don’t hesitate to e-mail.

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GU2 Radio
take part in the show’s features, got to be interviewed on their cheese hatred, and were even complimented on their fashion. Trips to national radio stations such as Radio 1 are just some of the amazing opportunities you can have at the University of Surrey’s student radio station. To be involved in GU2, come along to the weekly meetings at 7.15 in Wates House. Go to www. gu2.co.uk for more information.

U2 Radio members have had the chance to sit in on a BBC Radio 1 show. On Friday 4th November four lucky GU2 members travelled up to Radio 1 headquarters in central London to be involved in Greg James’ radio show. The trip was part of Greg James’ weekly ‘Feet Up Friday’, where a select group of people are invited to be a part of the national radio show. The group were live on national radio, had the chance to

Dinner With Industry
By Bright Futures Surrey

Are you...

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right Futures Surrey is now preparing for its biggest event this year: Dinner With Industry. For those of you who are not familiar with this type of event, this is your chance to dine and network with some of the world’s top employers and understand what they are looking for when recruiting students. You can gain inside information about internships, placements and graduate jobs in an informal atmosphere, so we hope to see as many of you there as possible. We have contacted companies from various disciplines such as ACCA, Deloitte, Npower and PWC – so far, IBM and Bibby Financial Services confirmed their attendance and we’re expecting that more will follow. If we’ve managed to make you curious, join us on the 30th of November, at 6pm, at Lakeside Restaurant. The ticket price is £15 and includes a two-course meal. We hope you are as excited as we are about the event and we can’t wait to see you there! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]

RELIABLE?

The Stag needs a new Societies Editor. Get great experience as a journalist and meet hundreds of interesting people across the whole range of Surrey’s student societies. Email [email protected]

34 SPORT

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

BUCS Sports Results
Badminton
H Surrey Men’s 1st A Reading Men’s 2nd H Surrey Women’s 1st
3 5 8

Basketball
vs vs vs
5 3 0

Portsmouth Men’s 1st Surrey Men’s 2nd Reading Women’s 1st

A West London Men’s 1st

54

vs

69 Surrey Men’s 1st

Netball Football
H A H H Surrey Men’s 1st Reading Men’s 2nd Surrey Men’s 5th Surrey Women’s 1st 3 2 1 2 vs vs vs vs 1 1 3 4 Sussex Men’s 2nd Surrey Men’s 3rd Roehampton (Froedel) Men’s Reading Women’s 1st H Surrey 1st A St Mary’s 1st H Surrey 3rd 51 36 42 vs vs vs 53 Brunel 3rd 37 Surrey 2nd 44 Sussex 2nd

Rugby Union
H Surrey Men’s 1st A SOAS Men’s 2nd 64 32 vs vs 0 0 Imperial Medics 2nd Surrey Men’s 2nd

Fencing
H Surrey Men’s 2nd A UCL Women’s 1st
91 110

vs vs

135 118

Portsmouth Men’s 1st Surrey Women’s 1st

Squash
H Surrey Men’s 1st H Surrey Men’s 2nd A Kent Women’s 1st 0 3 1 vs vs vs 5 0 3 Reading 2nd Royal Holloway Men’s 2nd Surrey Women’s 1st

Golf
A Kingston 1st 5 vs 1 Surrey 1st

Hockey
A Kingston Men’s 1st H Surrey Men’s 3rd A Reading Women’s 2nd 3 0 0 vs vs vs 1 0 7 Suurey Men’s 1st Portsmouth Men’s 4th Surrey Women’s 1st

Tennis
H H H A Surrey Men’s 1st Surrey Men’s 2nd Surrey Men’s 3rd Portsmouth Women’s 1st 2 2 1 0 vs vs vs vs 3 1 0 2 Kings Men’s 1st Reading Men’s 2nd Sussex Men’s 3rd Surrey Women’s 1st

Non-BUCS Sports Results
The Surrey Scorpions won 15 - 4 against Royal Holloway in the Ultimate Frisbee London Ultimate League Andrew Wishart & Joe Stansfield came 3rd in the Sailing National Fleet Championships
Loughborough Trampolining Competition
Higher Synchronised Lower Synchronised Lower Synchronised Lower Synchronised Novice Ladies Intermediate Men Elite Ladies Zoe Pounce & Hannah Birthwistle-Gorden Becky Craddock & Becca Shipperly Emily James & Luke Pierce Nicole Holbrook & Emma Robinson Becca Shipperly Andy Sluman Zoe Pounce 5th 7th 8th 9th 6th 5th 4th

Surrey’s fencers show cutting edge
By Douglas Elder, Sport Team

F

encing is often a misunderstood sport and is certainly not at the forefront of our national sporting focus. In this country, sports like football, rugby and cricket dominate the scene, taking all the inches of column space, while sports such as fencing get neglected – possibly due to the lack of good quality fencing puns – well not any more! Surrey women’s 1st Team fencers have made a stunning start to the season, winning all three matches in their first ever season in the BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) league. The team has contributed more than most to ensure that fencing is the University’s best performing sport so far. So what’s the secret? Well, there are many...and

I may be about to expose them, so I’ll have to be “on-guard” for the next few weeks. Captain Rebecca Smethurst has cited many factors as contributors to the success, including “excellent coaching from Andy Reynolds and assistant coach Alex Bela” as well as thanking a “very dedicated and strong team.” Smethurst, typically humble throughout our ‘interview’ – essentially a fragmented exchange of emails – says that the team aims to “stay focused and to try to retain our 100% record and get more ladies involved with the team” before stating her pride and happiness in the team’s progress. Members Liz Ng, Grace Edmund, Flora Da, Minna Wilke and Smethurst will be aiming to put their next opponents – UCL and fellow unbeaten team, University of Sussex – to the sword.

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

SPORT

35

Surrey Boat Club

It’s just not cricket
By Douglas Elder, Sport Team

Spot of bother: Amir left, Asif centre and captain Butt right

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ast week, at the end of a landmark trial for both cricket and sport in general, Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were sentenced in relation to claims of match-fixing at the lord’s Test against England last August. The trial centred on the claims that bowlers Asif and Amir were ordered by captain Butt to bowl three deliberate “no-balls” in order to obtain corrupt payments. At first glance, the crime may not appear to be too serious; noball costs the bowling side one run and means the ball must be delivered again. However, it is the implications behind the action which pose as a major threat to the integrity and credibility of cricket, the most pertinent being whether this corruption is commonplace within in the sport and is simply going undetected, as players earn a fortune to destroy the game. Butt has been sentenced to thirty months in jail for his part, notably for abusing his position of captain to encourage and spread corruption. Asif has been sentenced to one year and Amir to six months. The former two were found guilty at the case at Southwark Crown Court – Amir had pleaded guilty prior to the trial. Agent Mazhar Majeed has been sentenced to two years and eight months for his role in the scandal, in which he acted as the medium between the players and the issuers of the dirty money. It is somewhat ironic that the drama occurred at Lord’s, the most quintessentially British sporting venue, and the keeper and founder of all the traditions of a sport which prides itself on fair-play. Sally Walsh, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said the players had “brought shame on the cricket world” through

their actions and “jeopardised the faith and admiration of cricket fans the world over”. As a result, world cricket’s governing body the ICC has a major job on its hands in ensuring that these sad events are rare occurrences and do not become part-and-parcel of a game that is ordered the world over. Sadly, it seems the institution lacks the funds and the expertise to stamp out the corruption. Perhaps more sadly, the case only came to light after a journalist from the now defunct News of the World was able to launch a sting operation, in which agent Majeed told him that “big money could be made” and gave details of the practice known as “spot-fixing”, before revealing when the no-balls would be bowled, demonstrating the power he had over the players. Many say that the scandal may never have been covered had it not been for the investigative journalism of the reporter. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also claimed that “the ICC do a decent job but they could do a lot more”. Because of this lack of resources and because of this ultimate lack of information, the judge and the ICC have come down very hard on the players in question. Without adequate plans in place to prevent match-fixing, the only deterrent available to the ICC was to ensure that the strictest punishment possible was enforced upon the players. The problem now facing the authorities is not just keeping corruption out of the game, but in convincing potentially disillusioned fans that the game remains clear of such greed and that the spectacle, the drama, the controversy that unfolds before their eyes is real, is competitive, but most of all, is clean.

Record result for Boat Club
By Tom Mee & Jonathan Rains, Sport Team

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n Saturday 5th November the Boat Club entered Fours Head, the biggest rowing race in the country for fours that included most of the current GB Rowing team and recent Olympians. The Quad, consisting of Phil Elton, Tom Mee, Ashley Epps and Nick Bright (see picture) gave the race of their lives and came in the top 15% of the country. In their category (which included ex-Olympians) the only universities to beat them were Imperial, London, Leeds, Reading and Bath

(all of whom have GB U23 athletes in their teams). This is the highest result ever achieved by Team Surrey in any of the major national head races. Henry Pelly, a University of Surrey Student who was rowing in a Molesey boat for this event, came second in the Elite coxed fours (the highest category for fours available). This placed him 14th overall in the whole event. The only crew to beat him in the Elite coxed fours had four world champions in the boat and three of those also have Olympic medals.

Surrey thump Medway to progress in cup
By Douglas Elder, Sport Team

Surrey Hockey

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fter losing their first three league games, the University of Surrey’s 1ST XI hockey team finally found the winning formula this week. League duties were swept aside as Surrey proved they were up for the cup with a 4-0 victory against Universities at Medway at the Surrey Sports Park. Despite the opposition being several leagues below the hosts, Surrey could be forgiven for feeling nervous before the game, given the start they had made to the season. However, Surrey dominated from the off and constantly posed a threat to the Medway goal. The threat was particularly apparent down the right hand side, with Russ Odendaal and Chris Fox consistently wreaking havoc. However, despite their control of the game, Surrey was guilty of squandering numerous chances and it looked as if half-time would bring a stalemate. However, Surrey turned up the style in the last five minutes of the first half with a devastating display of attacking hockey. First, Fox capped a fine first half display with an impressive individual goal to break the deadlock. Fox then doubled his and Surrey’s tally

with a cool finish after a mad scramble in the Medway area two minutes later. Surrey even had time to have a further goal from Matt Brunt disallowed after he illegally lifted his stick up shoulder height. The second half brought no respite for the beleaguered visitors, with Surrey continuing to knock on the door and scoring the third goal their team display merited, when Lowell Lewis tapped in after another wonderful team move. Despite being in total control, Surrey refused to step off the gas and could have added to their tally on numerous occasions before finally scoring a fourth fifteen minutes from the end when Jonny Stockbridge got himself on the score-sheet. So Surrey was able to put their poor early-season form behind them with a win in the cup this week. Captain Harry Hole said that “this performance is the best we’ve had all season, we’re a very new squad and we’re getting better and better every week.” Surrey returns to action with away matches at Kingston University and Royal Free and University College Medical School in the next few weeks. The hope will be that this fine performance will act as a catalyst for further success this year.

36 SPORT

The Stag |

22nd November 2011

[email protected]

The Climbing Club
By Chris Thomas, Sport Team

Sport

“W

WHHAAYYY”!! jeer Climbing Society members upon crashing through the door of a quiet Wetherspoons on the first social event of the year. Having retained the title of being the University’s largest society two years running, the Climbing Club currently consists of over seventy enthusiastic members. Former president Dave West, who has done everything from traversing along a cliff face above crashing waves to downing eight pitchers in a row, feels it is important to emphasize there is so much more to the club than just learning to climb. The atmosphere of the club’s latest trip certainly embodies this. Described by current club president ‘Windle’ as “the greatest trip yet!”, sixty-five excited students embarked on a four hour bus journey to the Peak District. The euphoric high remained despite emerging from tents the next morning to showering rain. The day was spent at “The Works”, the UK’s largest international bouldering centre, followed by socialising at the

Hathersage pub. Later that evening the banter continued as students congregated in the ‘Uber tent’ as president ‘Windle’ attempted to play Bob Marley’s “don’t worry – be happy” on the ukulele. The following morning, despite heavy doubt of ‘Windle’s’ uncompromising belief that the weather would improve, students awoke to the warm, tranquil, fresh air of a good day to come. Fantastic sun escalated the trip to its peak with an action packed day full of climbing on outdoor rock and experience of breathtaking views, followed by the clubs ‘official’ topless photo! Winner of the fresher’s male bouldering competition Bryan Calderon (studying mechanical-engineering) described the outdoor climbing as a “challenging experience” compared to indoors, but appeared satisfied by the trip - “it’s really good because they mixed us up with some of the more experienced climbers so we were able to pick up quite a lot”. Whereas many members would argue climbing to be an extreme and dangerous sport, it is worth

pointing out how safe it actually is, in that all members must pass a safety assessment before being allowed to belay solo. Female fresher’s bouldering competition winner Bethany Askem (studying nutrition and dietetics) shared her impressions of the club: “love every minute of it! It’s the people that make it what it is. It doesn’t matter if you feel you’ve missed the beginning, come along at any point because you can join all year”. Latest developments to the club involve training officer Tom Foschini putting together a training program to help new climbers develop their technique, which will begin 15th November. The club agrees it is excellent to have new members and would like to invite anyone who is interested to either come on down to the Sports Park or get involved with the next two trips. The club will next be travelling to the Roaches and Swanage where members will be lodging in a scout hut (for those of you keen on staying dry). These trips are rumoured to involve the infamous “sling-game” and are a great chance to have fun and meet new people.

Surrey Running & Athletics Club

New Year, New You
By Dave Holcombe, Sport Team

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re you looking to get active but not interested in playing a team sport? The University of Surrey’s Running and Athletics club are going ahead with plans to make an entirely beginners orientated session. There is no pressure on how quick you can run 5km or 10km, in fact, you don’t even have to want to get to a level to compete if you don’t want to. It is purely a social run for people who are looking to get into shape, or maintain fitness after maybe one too many mince pies this Christmas. The course will be taken by an existing member of the Running society who will have attended a coaching course. To participate, you don’t even have to be a part of the society. There will be more information on the days and times of these runs as it comes. The club have recently been

taking part in the London Colleges League (LCL). This is a cross country series of six races between all of the London based colleges as well as surrounding institutions, such as the University of Surrey. The first race was on Wednesday 20th October at Parliament Hill. Three members went along to the race (Stacey Eyers, Will Bodkin and Chris West). Stacey performed well in her event with a finish time of 18 minutes 2 seconds to complete the 2.5 mile circuit. This earned her an impressive 22nd out of eighty seven runners. Chris and Will were also impressive by coming 31st and 53rd respectively out of one hundred and thirty in the men’s event. The BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships will be held at the Olympic Stadium from Friday 4th to Monday 7th May next year. It is the official london 2012 Athletics test event. This means that all of the

facilities and procedures that will be used for Athletics in the Olympic Games will be tested by participants of the BUCS event. The Running and Athletics Society are hoping that they can put a strong team forward to enter this event, so if you’re a keen runner looking to perform on the biggest stage of them all, get in touch. As part of the BUCS entry process, all institutions will get one entry to each event, regardless of ability. The Running and Athletics society caters for runners of all abilities. Whether you’re a keen athlete looking to compete against other runners or you’re just looking for a social jog with some nice people, there is something for you. www.facebook.com/groups/ 188351574534287/ E-mail: [email protected]

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