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History & The Arts
The American Civil Rights Movement
In this free course, The American Civil Rights Movement, you will learn about the mass movement for racial equality in the United States that reached its zenith during the 1950s and 1960s. During this turbulent period in United States history, black Americans sought to overturn deeply entrenched systems of racial segregation and discrimination. This course discusses the key events in this campaign for social justice, drawing on a wide range of primary sources. In doing so, it assesses the achievements, shortcomings and revolutionary qualities of the civil rights movement. Use of racial language and terms This course deals with topics involving racial issues. Since the societies being studied were characterised by deeply-held and widespread racist views, this course contains language that is also racist. Although these may provoke a strong personal response, we believe it is necessary to engage with such attitudes to reach a clear understanding of the past. This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course A113 Revolutions.
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Level
Society, Politics & Law
The value of coffee
This free course explores the economic and cultural value of coffee. You will follow the chain of processes that connect the drink you enjoy on a daily basis with circuits of economic and cultural value, hearing from coffee farmers and consumers in different parts of the world.
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Level
History & The Arts
Discovering music: the blues
This free course, Discovering music: the blues, will introduce you to a musical tradition with roots in the nineteenth century but which is still relevant to making music today. You will learn about how the lyrics of blues songs reflect the social environment in which they were created, and about the musical techniques that underpin the structures of blues songs. You do not need to play an instrument, to sing or have any prior musical knowledge to be able to complete this course.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Coping in isolation: Time to Think
In 2020, as millions worldwide face prolonged periods of social isolation, what can you learn about coping from Open University graduates who studied while imprisoned in the Maze and Long Kesh prison during the years of conflict in and about Northern Ireland? In this free course, David and Michael, two Open University graduates, reflect on the current COVID-19 lockdown and their study experiences while imprisoned in the 1970s and 1980s, and offer ways to adjust to the current pressures facing people across the globe.
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History & The Arts
Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month we have pulled together some content about some inspirational individuals and events for you to explore.
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History & The Arts
Race and place
How does your background and childhood experiences impact on your sense of identity? Poet Jackie Kay explores through poetry.
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History & The Arts
How women changed the world
Who wrote the first novel over 1000 years ago? Who disguised herself as a man to explore the new world? Take this interactive world tour to discover the stories the history books left out.
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