You and your world: Introducing the social sciences

How can the social sciences help you think about the world around you?

This free course introduces you to skills and knowledge that can help you question, understand and contribute to society.

This course starts by acknowledging the ever-changing nature of society and social relationships and then asks you to think about your own place in society and how you influence and are influenced by it. Through the introduction of different social science perspectives, you will explore commonalities, differences, conflicts and solidarities between people, societies and nations. The resources in this course encourage you to use your curiosity and imagination to question and explore the challenges and possibilities of societies, social life and of the social sciences themselves. 

At the end of the course, you will have an appreciation for what different social science perspectives bring to understanding the world. You will also have enhanced your critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. The knowledge base that you start to develop on this course will support you in developing your confidence in your academic, professional or personal life.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course D112 You and your world: introducing the social sciences.