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History & The Arts
An education in Religion and Worldviews
Religious education is a statutory requirement for all school children in England. This course explores how the teaching and scholarly community is working to ensure this curriculum remains relevant for the twenty-first century. It is aimed at parents, faith and community group members and all others who might be interested in the purpose and ...
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level 1: introductory icon
History & The Arts
Exploring the boundaries between religion and culture
This free course, Exploring the boundaries between religion and culture, engages with questions about the relationship between religion and culture. Are they different things or synonyms that emphasise different ways of looking at the same phenomena? The course uses ‘either/or or both/and’ to point to those possibilities for understanding how ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Ecology and economy under the fig tree in South Asian Cities
Trees in South Asia are protected for their religious symbolism, so you’ll find them in crowded cities. Shonil Bhagwat looks at their natural and cultural heritage.
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Society, Politics & Law
Integrated education in Northern Ireland - or divide and sectarianism?
Is the idea of integrated education in Northern Ireland a vehicle for social cohesion, or for perpetuating community divisions?
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level 1: introductory icon
History & The Arts
Why not ‘World Religions’?
The idea that there are five or six ‘major’ or ‘world’ religions is so common that it seems natural to us today. What makes something a ‘World Religion’? Why do we group some religions in this way? You’ll explore these questions in this free course. You’ll also look at the potential issues with classifying religions like this and why scholars ...
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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?
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History & The Arts
Download free eBook guides to famous literary works
Exclusive to OpenLearn, OU experts have created guides to introduce some key works of fiction for you to download and read on your prefered device.
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Society, Politics & Law
Timeline: LGBTQ History
Explore some snapshots of LGBTQ history with our timeline.
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level 1: introductory icon
History & The Arts
Young people and religion: creative learning with history
This free course, Young people and religion: creative learning with history, will train teachers and others working with young people on how to engage them in learning about religious diversity past and present through the creative process of making short, creative films (Docutubes). It is based on the RETOPEA (Religious Toleration and Peace) ...
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History & The Arts
Medea
Discover the Ancient Greek tragedy Medea (by Euripides), in our two-minute animation voiced by Angela Griffin.
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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.
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History & The Arts
A timeline between The OU and the royal family
Take a look at this extensive timeline, detailing the relationship between The OU and the Queen and royal family over the years.