free course icon
Society, Politics & Law
BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Politics)
You will need a computer with internet access to study for this qualification. For most OU qualifications a Microsoft Windows (new since 2007), Apple Mac (OS X 10.6 or later) or Linux computer should be adequate. However, some qualifications require more specific IT equipment, in which case you will need additional software to use an Apple Mac or Linux computer. A detailed technical specification for your modules will be made available when you register. Please note, technical specifications do change over time to match computer developments and the way we teach.
free course icon
Society, Politics & Law
BA (Honours) History and Politics
This wide-ranging course will develop and deepen your knowledge of different periods of history while providing a critical understanding of political ideas, institutions, issues and theories. You'll tackle challenging issues such as power and warfare, security and insecurity, global justice, culture and beliefs, health and medicine, imperialism and resistance, and class and gender.
free course icon
Society, Politics & Law
BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) are central to understanding how modern societies are organised and governed. By studying them together you'll gain a combination of skills that's in high demand across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Whilst PPE has been described as 'the degree that runs Britain', this combination is better viewed as the study of how countries are run, what motivates and constrains their rulers and residents, and how social order and prosperity are best understood and promoted. All three disciplines are presented in up-to-date form, covering alternative as well as 'mainstream' approaches and firmly rooted in the real world.
free course icon
Society, Politics & Law
Diploma of Higher Education in History and Politics
This wide-ranging course will develop your knowledge of history while providing a critical understanding of political issues, concepts and institutions. You'll tackle such exciting and challenging issues as power and equality, debates in politics at the national and global level, culture and beliefs, imperialism and resistance, class and gender. You'll learn the skills of both the political scientist and the historian in studying historical and contemporary political debates as well as analysing contested political issues and future trends and investigating a range of critical approaches to analysing history and politics.
free course icon
Level
Society, Politics & Law
International relations: continuity and change in global politics
We live at a time of historic change in the international system. The rise of China and other large developing countries is challenging the long dominance of the west. Political upheaval and the growing role of networks are reshaping the world. Economic, social and technological changes are altering the context for international relations. This module asks the key questions about contemporary international relations. It teaches key ideas such as sovereignty and security; develops your ability to analyse and respond to some of the central problems of our day; and to understand longer trends of continuity and change in global politics.
free course icon
Level
Society, Politics & Law
Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world
What is politics? Who is engaged in politics locally, nationally and internationally? How do we study politics? This online module answers questions like these and explores how political ideas, institutions and processes help govern our world. Using a range of study materials you'll explore the interrelationships between politicians, pundits and publics. You'll learn the key practical skills that are used to explore and explain the ways in which politics, in all its forms, helps order the social world and provide for the governance of persons and the administration of things.
video icon
Society, Politics & Law
How do you become US President?
Joe Biden will be sworn in as President of the United States today. Fancy running in 2024? Dr Richard Heffernan has some advice on the mechanics of the system.
article icon
History & The Arts
Five Inspiring Black Trailblazers from across Europe
In recognition of Black History Month, we've complied a list and short biography of five black trailblazers from across Europe.
video icon
Society, Politics & Law
Is democracy a good thing?
Is democracy the best way to select who runs our country? Is it unequivocally a good thing? Professor Derek Matravers discusses Plato's argument against democracy.
article icon
History & The Arts
The Great Fall: Berlin’s ‘Freedom’ concert
How did the Berlin 'Freedom' concert come about after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and what significance has music played in Germany's past?
article icon
Society, Politics & Law
Democracy in Catalonia, Spain
In Catalonia, young people are questioning what democracy means and challenging the authority of the Spanish state.
free course icon
Level
Health, Sports & Psychology
Social psychology and politics
Why are social psychologists interested in politics, and how can they help us understand things like social movements, protest and activism? This free course, Social psychology and politics, moves away from a state-centric study of politics and, using insights from social psychology, explores the role of identity, personality and culture for political action. The course introduces a critical perspective considering how psychologists themselves can be activists and interrogating the norms of ‘good citizenship’ in Western societies.