Jaden Ogwayo
That’s a good indicator of a robust and valuable arts class — one which isn't insular but can be applied in a very versatile way across different faculties.
Jaden Ogwayo has recently commenced his first semester at the Australian National University (ANU). Born and raised in Canberra, the prestigious appeal of ANU beckoned Jaden Ogwayo since early high school. Also in his ear were a number of influential friends and family members who couldn’t speak more highly of the institution.
Jaden is pursuing a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) in Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) / Bachelor of Arts (BA). Attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of the arts, Jaden comments, “I wanted to do a BA for the flexibility as I don't really have one singular arts passion and, above all, I wanted the freedom to explore my interests in my studies.”
He is most enjoying GEND2023: Introduction to Feminist Theory, taught by Professor Melinda Cooper. “I applied for permission to undertake this course because I wanted to study the subject alongside GEND1002, ‘Introduction to Cultural Studies.’ I have a keen interest in feminist theory, especially in a philosophical sense, and I wanted to learn more about how the trajectory of feminist theory has embedded itself within areas of philosophy.”
If you were to take a seat in Dr. Rosanne Kennedy’s ‘Introduction to Cultural Studies’ lecture, you’ll find students from a wide variety of disciplines, which Jaden says offers multiple perspectives on overarching themes such as identity, meaning, and value that he finds to be pertinent to all fields of study. “There are students in GEND1002 studying science, PPE (Politics, Philosophy, and Economics), business and commerce, IR (International Relations), political science, psychology, and quite a few law kids (besides me!). For me, that’s a good indicator of a robust and valuable arts class — one which isn't insular but can be applied in a very versatile way across different faculties,” Jaden remarks.
He advises students who are about to commence their university studies, and who would like to get a head start, to do a little bit of study when feasible, “maybe an hour every weekend, engaging with the topics and ideas of the classes you’re about to undertake to familiarise yourself with key thinkers and their contributions. If you break up your required readings during your spare time, you won’t have to commit, say, a four-hour block to study.”
In Jaden’s spare time, he enjoys writing essays, articles, and poetry, aspiring to present his work at conferences and potentially publish undergraduate research. Through his work, Jaden hopes to address “social and representational harms in philosophy, theory, and Indigenous studies, especially in terms of epistemology, semiotics, and gender and queer studies.”
Beyond academic pursuits, Jaden has joined the university's African Studies Network and the French Collective. His multifaceted interests and his commitment to balancing academics with an active social life and passion projects set Jaden on the right path.
