free course icon
level 3: advanced icon
Society, Politics & Law
The social nature of being human
This free course, The social nature of being human, will introduce you to several of the social aspects of humanity and being human. Some of these are obvious, as, during the course, you will think about crowd behaviour and consider traditional dilemmas of being in crowds. Others will be less obvious, such as the seemingly intimate and private ...
article icon
Nature & Environment
The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable
Reading news about animals as modern-day fables alerts us to human beings’ vulnerability to climate change. What moral lesson about sustainable futures are exposed by restorying news of animals in the context of climate change?
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Society, Politics & Law
From Brexit to the break-up of Britain?
This free course, From Brexit to the break-up of Britain?, sets the experience of Brexit in the context of the UK. It first analyses Brexit as a symptom of the political, economic and social geography of the UK, focusing on its uneven development in a country increasingly dominated by London and the South East of England. It then considers how ...
article icon
Society, Politics & Law
What is crime?
The Open University's senior lecturer in Criminology, Dr David Scott discusses the concept and aspects of crime.
audio icon
Society, Politics & Law
Kropotkin, anarchism and geography: A discussion
What links geography to anarchism? Dr Philip O’Sullivan finds the surprising connection lies with a Russian prince who died nearly 100 years ago.
article icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Vegans: why they inspire fear and loathing among meat eaters
Matthew Cole and Kate Stewart explore why veganism stimulates such aggressive responses.
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Society, Politics & Law
How arguments are constructed and used in the Social Sciences
This free course will enable you to understand how arguments are constructed and used in the Social Sciences. Using extracts from a Radio 4 broadcast, you will look at the different viewpoints that are taken by the participants and analyse how the different arguments are being put together.
audio icon
Society, Politics & Law
Sounds of environmental change
What does environmental change sound like? Dr George Revill argues that sound can be a powerful way of conveying how places are transformed by climate change.
article icon
Society, Politics & Law
What Human Rights Day means to me
Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo is a Visiting Research Fellow in The Open University's Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership. He reflects on his own experiences to highlight the fact that human rights are real and not just abstract aspirations.
article icon
Society, Politics & Law
Download your free 'The Secret History of Our Streets: Scotland' newspaper
Find out all the breaking news in the university edition of the The Street newspaper.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
History & The Arts
Forth Road Bridge
Scotland's Forth Road Bridge may not be the most beautiful bridge over the Firth of Forth, but it is an incredible feat of engineering and is integral to the economy of the entire area. However, rust is threatening to destroy the cables that suspend the road. This free course uses video to explore the issues associated with the potential demise ...
article icon
Society, Politics & Law
Could volunteering be bad for our health?
Discussions of volunteering in British health-care organisations rarely discuss the possible downside. But we need awkward outsiders.