Thinking Allowed is BBC Radio 4's weekly focus on the social sciences in partnership with The Open University.
To complement the series, we've brought you exclusive content from The Open University's academic experts and host Laurie Taylor. You might like to:
- Watch these exclusive videos on sociology with presenter Laurie Taylor.
- View Society Matters, a blog that seeks to inform and challenge your views of life.
- Get involved with the topics discussed on the programme by visiting the The OU's Social Science's Facebook page.
- Take it further with The Open University by seeing what Social Science courses and modules we have to offer.
You can also view the upcoming epiosdes for this series and gain a wealth of learning content that ties in with that particular epiosde. Additionally, we have provided some free social sciences courses for you to enjoy.
Thinking Allowed is on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesdays at 4.00pm and repeated on Monday mornings at 12.15am. Full broadcast details, and listen again links, can be found on bbc.co.uk
Missed the 2015 series? Catch up here.
Hear Laurie Taylor's view on social sciences
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The Laurie Taylor interviews
Why does Laurie Taylor think sociology is important? What advice does he have for our students? In this series of videos the Thinking Allowed host answers questions on social sciences.
Watch nowThe Laurie Taylor interviewsLevel: 1 Introductory
View our FREE social sciences courses
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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.
Learn moreHow arguments are constructed and used in the Social SciencesLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Social construction and social constructionism
Within the field of social sciences the terms 'social construction' and 'social constructionism' are frequently used, particularly in relation to social policy. This free course, Social construction and social constructionism, will enable you to achieve a greater definition and understanding of these terms.
Learn moreSocial construction and social constructionismLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Living and working in the new economy
The new 'service economy': is it a direct result of globalisation? This free course, Living and working in the new economy, examines the switch from manufacturing to services and looks at the impact of information and communication technologies on the economy as a whole. The 'new economy' has many benefits, but at what cost?
Learn moreLiving and working in the new economyLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Engendering citizenship
How do you create citizenship? How do you feel you belong? This free course, Engendering citizenship, examines social citizenship. With particular reference to women and disabled people, you will look at the rights and obligations that develop within society to link people together.
Learn moreEngendering citizenshipLevel: 2 Intermediate
Want to take it further with The Open University?
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BA (Honours) Combined Social Sciences
What causes riots? Is commercialisation eroding childhood? Does poverty lead to crime? Social science explores such questions and helps inform others – from police officers to civil servants to business executives – who want to base their decisions on the best evidence. The BA (Honours) Combined Social Science is designed to be very flexible, enabling you to develop a variety of knowledge and skills from a combination of subjects including psychology, sociology, social policy, criminology, geography, politics and economics. You can choose to follow a named specialism by concentrating on one of these areas, or create your own combination of subjects. This degree course will equip you with skills highly valued by employers, such as using IT for the retrieval and effective presentation of information and data; critical evaluation; and concise writing. You’ll have your own specialist, subject-based academic support as well as opportunities to join in online communities of other social sciences students for teaching, learning and peer support.
Learn moreBA (Honours) Combined Social Sciences -
BA (Honours) Criminology and Law
Crime, justice and the workings of the law are matters that affect us all and often dominate the news. This degree takes a critical and analytical view of the role and functions of the legal system, and examines its relationship with criminal behaviour. You’ll explore issues such as anti-social behaviour, poverty, discrimination, hate crimes, child labour, as well as global threats from cyber-crime, terrorism and human rights violations, and their implications for justice.
Read moreBA (Honours) Criminology and Law -
BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Where do social order (and disorder) come from? How can we make ourselves richer, and does society always gain? What does justice mean, how do we define our rights? Politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) – and the ideas and values that inform them – are central to how modern societies are organised and governed. This degree explores fundamental questions of power and ideology, beliefs and values, and how income and wealth are produced and distributed. As well as gaining insight into debates that dominate the daily news, you’ll learn a range of skills and techniques to help you analyse and contribute to the discussion. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the way arguments (and public policies) are constructed in theory and tested in practice. These analytical and critical skills are highly valued by employers in a broad range of occupations, across the private and public sectors.
Learn moreBA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
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