
Without agreeing to or choosing it, the vast majority of people in the world have their nationality conferred on them by where they were born or...

Do you feel safe in your own home? Security measures, such as gated communities and CCTV, can remove people's rights and have a long-term physical...

Subject introduction
Many social science subjects provide fascinating insights into everyday life in our communities, families and workplaces. Topics include criminology, economics, geography, media studies, politics, psychology, social policy and sociology. In our courses you’ll engage with some of the most compelling and contested questions in contemporary society: How do we communicate with each other? Why do places carry meaning for people? What are our rights as citizens? What shapes our identity and why? Our courses will stimulate your curiosity, encourage you to ask questions and challenge assumptions, and help you understand yourself – and the world we live in – more deeply.
Subject highlights
![]() Natural - what does it mean?
What 'natural' means in the context of food and the market for human organs. |
![]() What Sport Tells us About Life
Ed Smith, professional cricketer and author of 'What Sport Tells Us About Life' (2008), discusses how and why sport has come to acquire such intense and diverse social meanings. |
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![]() The dot.com boom
Tom Hadfield was only 12 years old when he set up the internet sensation Soccernet, by the time he was 17 years old he sold the company to ESPN for $40million dollars. |
![]() Technological revolutions Helen Yanacopulos and Simon Bromley discuss technological revolutions and waves of innovation. |
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Subjects

The renewed threat of barbarian invasion led to the construction of the Aurelianic wall - the second fortification in the history of Imperial Rome.

Philosophy professor Tim Crane explains what he sees to be the main philosophical issues in the area of Artificial Intelligence

Members of the Calderdale NHS trust and the private consortium discuss the affordability of the new hospital.

Using interviews and a live recording of a learning environment, creativity is defined and discussed as both a central aspect of the curriculum and a developmental tool.

Recording a DJ set, designing a cd cover, and a guitar lesson. Behind the scenes the facilitators discuss the group's teamwork.

Titles and visuals are a quick and simple way to give the audience more information.




Women were involved in various ways in war, and their roles both as perpetrators and in peace-building should not be under-estimated.

A discussion with scientists about the nature of scientific knowledge, and it's relationship to policy making regarding climate change

The specific needs of carers from minority ethnic groups with emphasis on the Chinese Welfare Association in Belfast

Doctors and patients at the Royal Free Hospital's Pain Clinic and at the Real Health Institute explain how chronic pain works


A series of short tracks giving speaking, pronunciation and listening practice on the theme of Food and Drink.


A current affairs journalist, a human rights lawyer and an academic debate issues around freedom of speech and to what extent the law should intervene to restrict it.


The Open University's Alan Graham shares his knowledge on the link between music and math, and his band Betty's Kitchen perform several songs and talk us through their instruments.


Professor Margaret Wetherell discusses her pioneering research into the language of racism.


In Algeciras in southern Spain, the arrival of undocumented migrants from North Africa is a daily occurrence.

Joan Devlin on how Belfast Healthy Cities is a model for further partnership initiatives.

Open University Art History researcher, Gill Perry takes us through The National Portrait Gallery and explores the relationship between 18th Century art and theatre and the notion of actresses and their portraits as seductive, beguiling objects. Gill also looks at paralells in the ways contemporary female stars use media images to promote themselves as celebrities.

Short documentary outlining a new Open University research project involving the Diocese of London and Kings College University in which existing c19th church history research is used to inform current strategies for the Church of England as part of a Knowledge Transfer Process.










