About the course
From religious leaders to heads of state, everyone is talking about economic inequalities. What form can such inequalities take in different countries? What impact do they have on society? And why should they matter to you? This free online course will explore the growing concerns surrounding rising inequalities in income and wealth in developed countries. You’ll scrutinise claims that the baby boomer generation has had it all, in terms of pension deals and affordable houses, while social and political changes have left younger generations struggling to find security for their accommodation and retirement income. You’ll examine the causes and implications of growing economic inequalities and what can be done about them, by individuals, communities and governments.
Whether you're taking this free course on FutureLearn or would like to view a variety of related content on OpenLearn, we've collated a range of academic articles, videos, podcasts and relevant free courses to support your learning and give you a wider perspective on this fascinating subject.
Preparation
Before you start this course you may want to brush up on your Maths, English or Study Skills with our range of free courses.
Become an OU student of Social Sciences
The Open University offers a range of degree courses and modules in Social Sciences including BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics and BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences.
To find out more about our range of short courses starting from £160 visit our short courses page.
Not ready for that step? Take a look at our free OpenLearn courses on this subject.
Before the course starts
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Working with charts, graphs and tables
When you come across information represented in charts, graphs and tables, you'll need to know how to interpret this information. This free course, Working with charts, graphs and tables, will help you to develop the skills you need to do this. For further study, there's another course titled 'More working with charts, graphs and tables' which looks into more ways to present statistical information and shows you how to use charts, graphs and tables to present your own information.
Learn moreWorking with charts, graphs and tablesLevel: 1 Introductory
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Diagrams, charts and graphs
Diagrams, charts and graphs are used by all sorts of people to express information in a visual way, whether it's in a report by a colleague or a plan from your interior designer. This free course will teach you how to interpret these tools and how to use them yourself to convey information more effectively.
Learn moreDiagrams, charts and graphsLevel: 1 Introductory
You may also like to keep informed on a range of social and economical issues affecting everyday people in our Society Matters blog posts.
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Take your learning further with our free resources
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How equal is your equality?
Equality is possible but only if the West gets used to living on less, writes Steven Primrose-Smith.
Read nowHow equal is your equality? -
Factors that influence health: An introduction
What factors influence our health? A lot of attention is focused on people's behaviour - their decisions to smoke, drink, over-eat and so on - with strong messages about the changes needed to become healthier. But people's behaviour is influenced by circumstances and events, friends and family, education, job prospects, income, housing and environment. In this free course, Factors that influence health: An introduction, you will look at how these factors, these wider social determinants, work together to influence our health for good or ill.
Learn moreFactors that influence health: An introductionLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Retiring lives? Old age, work and welfare
Retirement, pensions, care homes old age may not be as rosy as we think. This free course, Retiring lives? Old age, work and welfare, looks at old age, taking us from the Workhouse to the basic state pension. Why are people expected to stop work at a certain age and what impact does this have on their lives?
Learn moreRetiring lives? Old age, work and welfareLevel: 3 Advanced
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The pensions timebomb
Over the last three decades major events, scandals and regulations have shocked the pension system. Have the public lost faith in occupational and private pensions? Should the state pension be enough to see us through our old age? And with the non-working to working ratio continuing to rapidly increase, who will pay? We hear from those that were directly affected by the scandals of the 90's and the collapse in private pensions since - and from the experts whose job it is to help us make provisions for old age. This material forms part of The Open University course DB234 Personal investment in an uncertain world
Listen nowThe pensions timebombLevel: 1 Introductory
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The housing crash and the man who saw it coming
Professor Nouriel Roubini of Stern Business School discusses how he predicted the financial bubble bursting two years ahead of the crash and was ignored by the sector.
Watch nowThe housing crash and the man who saw it comingLevel: 1 Introductory
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House prices falling? Don’t bet the bank on it
Even if prices are falling, it looks like generation rent will likely be around for some time to come.
Read nowHouse prices falling? Don’t bet the bank on it -
Discuss: Housing for the working class
Housing has always been a problem for the working class. Fill in our short survey and share your thoughts and memories.
Take part nowDiscuss: Housing for the working classLevel: 1 Introductory
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Fiscal Responsibility and Monetary Policy
Why do economies go into recession, and what should policymakers do? How do governments use money to influence the economy? Over the past century governments have used a variety of strategies to avoid economic instability, and the current economic crisis has been handled very differently from the Great Depression, the last comparable global downturn. Getting the balance right - between government spending and taxation, low inflation and low unemployment, low interest rates for borrowers and rewards for savers - is difficult in practice, and the subject of ongoing debate in economic theory.
Watch nowFiscal Responsibility and Monetary PolicyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Living and working in the new economy
The new 'service economy': is it a direct result of globalisation? This free course, Living and working in the new economy, examines the switch from manufacturing to services and looks at the impact of information and communication technologies on the economy as a whole. The 'new economy' has many benefits, but at what cost?
Learn moreLiving and working in the new economyLevel: 2 Intermediate
Preparation for study
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Succeed with maths – Part 1
If you feel that maths is a mystery that you want to unravel then this short course is for you.
Read moreSucceed with maths – Part 1 -
Essay and report writing skills
Writing reports and assignments can be a daunting prospect. Learn how to interpret questions and how to plan, structure and write your assignment or report. This free course, Essay and report writing skills, is designed to help you develop the skills you need to write effectively for academic purposes.
Learn moreEssay and report writing skillsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Reading and note taking – preparation for study
Reading and note taking are two essential study skills. How do you read? This free course, Reading and note taking preparation for study, will introduce you to different techniques to help you to alter the way you read according to the type of material you are studying. You will also learn the techniques behind successful note taking and how to apply them to your own notes.
Learn moreReading and note taking – preparation for studyLevel: 1 Introductory
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Badges come to OpenLearn
Using our free courses and want to show others what you've learned? We've got great news for you...
Read nowBadges come to OpenLearn
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