Learning in Depth with a U3A Mini Series
Several times throughout the year U3A brings in a guest lecturer to run a mini series. An example of a recent lecture series is below.
Usually, on a Monday, over a period of three or four weeks the lectures run for 90 minutes. It is a casual and friendly format with a question time at the end. Class size is limited to 35 so early registration is recommended. You must be a current U3A member to attend and there is a small registration fee.
If you would like to become a U3A member and join our mailing list to be notified when the next Mini Series is available then click the button below.
The Peter Dornauf Lecture Series - November 2025
A HISTORY OF CULTS
Cults are weird and wonderful things, and they are not just a phenomenon of the twentieth century. They straddle the whole history of civilization, beginning with the Egyptians.
This series of 3 lectures will track the history of cult movements from ancient times right up to and including the 21st century.
More information on each of these lectures below.
Details of the November Series:
Mondays 10th, 17th and 24th November
10.30 – 12.00
The Union Church, Queen Street, Cambridge
Cost : $30 dollars for the total of three lectures.
Lecture Two
Cults of Christianity – Cathars, Quaker, Mormon, Millerism, Jehovah Witness and Cargo cults.
Lecture Three
Modern cults – Scientology, Heaven’s Gate, Jim Jones, Branch Davidian, as well as the Maori Prophet Movement, cult of Surrealism, Political cults and cults like the Centre Point Community.
Peter Dornauf - Lecturer
Peter Dornauf (MA, Dip Tchg) has taught in secondary schools, Wintec and Waikato University collectively for over 25 years. He is a well known Waikato artist, art critic and a writer of poetry, fiction and non-fiction and general academic. Peter presents lectures on art and architecture, philosophy and literature. His talks always draw on his broad knowledge of the classics and history, legends and literature. Peter is able to make the most complex ideas accessible and his lectures are always stimulating and thought provoking.