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History & The Arts
Explore culture, conflict, and the things that make us human.
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History & The Arts
Shakespeare: For All Time?
A current production of Julius Caesar is causing controversy in the USA for allegedly depicting Donald Trump's murder, but what does this tell us about the nature of Shakespeare's plays?
History & The Arts
What is Britain's most sacred site?
Britian is scattered with sacred sites - why do we feel the resonance of ancient religion?
Society, Politics & Law
What is a confidence and supply government?
One again, there's suggestions we might find ourselves with a confidence-and-supply government. What does that actually mean - and what does it mean for you? Here's what we thought during the 2015 election.
History & The Arts
Election days: 1910 - Asquith rejects foreign interference
Campaigning for re-election in Scotland, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith tells foreign nations to keep their opinions to themselves...
History & The Arts
Art and life in ancient Egypt
Around 1350 BC, the Egyptian grain accountant Nebamun commissioned the walls of his tomb-chapel to be painted with scenes depicting his afterlife, and the world in which he lived. Nebamun worked in the temple of Amun at Karnak during the reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1390-1352 BC). Amenhotep was one of the most important kings of the 18th Dynasty, one of the high points of Egyptian wealth, but his reign preceded a period of dramatic upheaval in Egyptian society. In 1820 eleven pieces were removed from the walls of the tomb-chapel, location now unknown, and were acquired by the British Museum, where they are now iconic masterpieces of the collection. This free course explores the history and meaning of these paintings.
Society, Politics & Law
After Manchester: Can you make venues safer?
The bombing of a crowd leaving a venue can be hard to prevent. David Lowe asks if we need new strategies.
History & The Arts
Witches in popular culture
Western culture can't seem to shake off portraying women as witches. Dr Chloé Germaine Buckley wonders why.
History & The Arts
Ramadan Mubarak!
27th May - 25th June marks the Muslim observance, Ramadan. Discover how this isn't just a time for abstaining but a time for celebration while showing devotion to Islam.
Society, Politics & Law
How have the Conservatives overtaken Labour for the British Indian vote?
Traditionally, Labour has been able to count on support from British Indians - but not any more. Rakib Ehsan asks: what's changed?
Education & Development
Has media literacy become self-destructive?
Danah Boyd, founder of Data & Society, asks if American society has become too distrustful of experts
Society, Politics & Law
Why is the media still fascinated by Brady and Hindley's crimes?
Half a century on, the Moors Murders remain a fixed point of fascination and horror for the UK media. Two Manchester-based academics explain why.
History & The Arts
Exploring books for children: words and pictures
Many people have fond memories of the stories they encountered in childhood, perhaps especially of those wonderful picture books and illustrated tales which fired our young imaginations and transported us to magical worlds. To an adult’s eye, some picture books may seem remarkably simple, even oversimplified. However, in this free course, Exploring books for children: words and pictures, you will learn how children’s books use words and pictures together in remarkably sophisticated ways to communicate both to young and older readers, drawing on examples from the classics, such as Beatrix Potter’s Tales of Peter Rabbit, and from contemporary children’s authors such as Anthony Browne, author of Gorilla.
©2017. All rights reserved. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking.
©2017. All rights reserved. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking.