the combination of academic rigour with open discussions on an equal basis and the withdrawal of the division master/student.
gratuity and accessibility. the MFU is run on the principle 'no money in, no money out'.
political and economic autonomy.
the belief in people's responsibility to seek and engage with knowledge.
the necessity to offer an alternative to the current education system, judged exclusive and outcome oriented.
the belief in offering knowledge for its own sake.
Principles are explained in more detail in an article published in . Its principles are partly inspired by the works of Jacques Rancière. Its motto is THINK. DISCUSS. ACT.
Courses proliferated across a range of disciplines, including law, indigenous studies, refugee studies and a course on 'what if' - re-imagining how the world could be. Special seminars have included topics such as sexuality, gender studies, myths, aesthetics and others. In summer 2011/2012 the MFU is cooperating with Occupy Melbourne for a course at City Square on issues relating to the global Occupy movement.
First Term 2011
I (heart) Philosophy
WEDNESDAYS 6.30-8pm @Dexter Cafe and Bar, 123 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill week 1 – 16/02/11: Freud and insecurity week 2 – 23/02/11: On Derrida and Hospitality week 3 – 02/03/11: On Popper and the Margins of Science week 4 – 09/03/11: On Communism / Žižek and Negri week 5 – 16/03/11: On Nietzsche and the body week 6 – 21/03/11: On Badiou and Education
Racism in the 21st century
THURSDAYS 6.30-8pm @the North Carlton Railway Station Neighbourhood House, 20 Solly Ave, North Carlton week 1 – 17/02/11: Racism: a Brief History week 2 – 24/02/11: Indigeneity, Whiteness, and the Politics of Anti-racism week 3 – 03/03/11: Fair Dinkum Fascism: Race and the Contemporary Australian Far Right week 4 – 10/03/11: Islam in Australia week 5 – 14/03/11 : On Racialised Sexual Exploitation week 6 – 22/03/11: : The Impact of Racism in Australia
First Semester 2010
For its first semester, the Melbourne Free University offered four seminars. On 1 May 2010, two seminars were given on Australia's Role in the World and Race Relations in Australia. On 5 June 2010, two more seminars were given on Universal Differences? and Religious Truth Claims. These four seminars were organised to gauge the interest the project would trigger.
Second Semester 2010
The second semester, which started in August 2010 is divided into four 6-weeks courses.
Australian Identities?
The first one was entitled It was coordinated by Aurelien Mondon. Lecturers and speakers included Aurelien Mondon, Russell Marks, Pamela Curr, Gary Foley and Malcolm Farnsworth.
The second course, ran in parallel, was entitled Sustainability and Permaculture. It was coordinated by Jasmine-Kim Westendorf. Lecturers and speakers included Ruby Murray, Andrew Foran, Christian Monahan, Susannah Powell, Catherine Johnston and Jodi Newcombe.
I (heart) Philosophy
The third course, which started on 29 September 2010, is entitled . It is coordinated by Jasmine-Kim Westendorf and Gerhard Hoffstaedter. Lecturers and speakers include Aurelien Mondon, Miriam Bankovsky, Christopher Cordner, Justin Clemens, Michael Elligate, Gregory McCormick.
The Asia-Pacific and Us: Australia in the Region
The fourth course, which started on 30 September 2010, is entitled . It is coordinated by Gerhard Hoffstaedter and Michael Webber. Lecturers and speakers include Jasmine-Kim Westendorf, Deb Chapman, Gerhard Hoffstaedter, Andrew Kingsford and Michael Webber.
Recordings
To improve accessibility to the courses, the Melbourne Free University publishes the recordings of the lectures on its website.
Publications
Various articles have been published following the lectures given at the Melbourne Free University. Aurélien Mondon, Education is not just about getting a job, The National Times, 4 June 2010, Aurélien Mondon, Do people really want what politicians are offering?, The National Times, 8 July 2010, Aurélien Mondon, A Free University for Melbourne, July 2010. Gerhard Hoffstaedter, Hub of turmoil thrives in Asia, The Canberra Times, 1 July 2010, Russell Marks, Labor no longer party of progressive nationalism, 19 August 2010 Gerhard Hoffstaedter, People must be able to feel at home here, 1 October 2010
Venues
Lectures are held at several Melbourne venues: Dexter Cafe, North Carlton Railway Station Neighbourhood House, City Square, Cnr Swanston & Collins Street, The Red Wheelbarrow Bookshop, 105 Lygon St, Brunswick East and The Alderman 134 Lygon St, East Brunswick.
