The Political Science Program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, with the assistance of the University’s Division of International Studies & Programs, is pleased to introduce its Pacific Studies Program - a pioneering collaborative initiative between A&M-Kingsville and the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Pacific Studies Program (PSP) is being co-directed by Dr. Nirmal Goswami, Professor of Political Science, A&M-Kingsville and Dr. Elaine Webster, Director, Summer School and Continuing Education, University of Otago. The PSP will include graduate and undergraduate students traveling to and staying in New Zealand from July 5th, 2012, through July 22nd, 2012, attending classes at the University of Otago, and visiting multiple sites through field trips in the greater Otago region. Areas of focus include history, politics, economics, culture, sustainability and environmental policies, etc., with reference to both the greater Pacific region and New Zealand.

Dr. Christine Reiser-Robbins, Anthropology Program, Texas A&M-Kingsville, is directing a Service Learning Project, a special component of the PSP. The PSP will facilitate interaction between middle and high school students from Bishop School District, Texas, and Logan Park High School, Dunedin, Otago, through the application of Internet-enabled technologies.

You are all invited to cyber travel with us as we learn about the uniqueness of New Zealand and the surrounding region. This blog will document our experience. You are welcome to post comments.


Monday, July 16, 2012

Dunedin's Street Art


July 16, 2012
            Dunedin is an extremely clean town. Litter is rare. However, Dunedin has a vibrant street art. Street art, more commonly referred to as “graffiti” is especially prevalent around the University of Otago. It is fun to seek out these little inconsistencies in an otherwise perfectly clean environment.
            These graffiti tags are often controversial around the world. Some view graffiti as vandalism. Perhaps it is viewed as a threat to the societal order. Some have a different opinion on the matter. Graffiti may be viewed as the artistic expression of the common people. Some graffiti is revered as a bold statement against authority. Some graffiti serves as a soapbox for an artist who has a message to spread. In the way one views graffiti (good, bad, artistic, or vile), one detail remains constant. Graffiti exists in Dunedin, New Zealand, and it seems as connected to street art in other places across the globe as such art forms always seem to; “isolated” Dunedin is really not isolated. The City’s street art proves that.         

--John G.
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1 comment:

  1. UnknownJuly 16, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    U of Otago is a nice place, and I'm glad to see that there is graffiti around -- never a place too clean for self expression. btw did y'all see any cricket? and if not why not?

    Kishore Gwande (Prof G's brother)

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