An undergraduate course in Childhood and Youth , Environment, Development and International Studies and Social Sciences.

Are you interested in people and how they live their lives? Do you wonder about how society is changing, and how your life connects with other people across the world? Understanding society explores questions like these. You’ll learn about key social science concepts and find out how social scientists work – while developing your study skills for further study. This Openings course gently introduces you to OU study – ideal if you’re a beginner or returning to study. It also provides an opportunity to try out learning online; the perfect way to gain the basic computing skills you’ll need for the next step in your studies.

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What you will study

Whether you’re thinking of further study in the social sciences, or you’re just interested in finding out about some of the profound changes that society is experiencing, this course has much to offer. It introduces concepts and debates within the social sciences, covering topics like families; culture; global markets; migrant labour; community; and social movements. You’ll learn through the use of case studies and activities, and no previous knowledge of the subject is needed.

Understanding society is built around six key questions:

• ‘Who does the work in the home?’ You’ll look at how far housework is shared within UK families, and at how the work of women in the home has developed and changed.
• ‘What makes us the same; what makes us different?’ You’ll explore how a sense of belonging that links us to some people but separates us from others is developed, and what happens when there is a meeting of different cultures.
• ‘Why can we buy goods from all over the world?’ Today most of us are surrounded by goods made in other countries. How and why has this happened and what do we mean by globalisation?
• ‘Why do people travel to other countries for work?‘ People have always moved for work but migrant labour has become a particularly important issue in recent years. You’ll explore why people move and the effects of migration.
• ‘Why does where we live matter?’ Our health, jobs and education are all related to our housing and to where we live. You’ll examine the importance of ‘place’ for our life chances and look at how we feel about where we live.
• ‘How do we bring about change?’ People can bring about or resist change. You’ll look at a range of social movements from the Suffragettes to the more recent movements protesting against genetically modified crops.

These ideas are explored further on the website where you can study two more chapters online. This experience will provide you with a gentle introduction to using a computer to support your study, and will equip you with the basic computing skills you will need for the next step in your studies.

• ‘Food and society’ – this chapter looks at key issues around the production, purchase and consumption of food. You’ll look at the changes in diet, the diversity of food products, and the use of migrant labour in the production of food in the UK.
• ‘Identity and society’ – this chapter will deepen your understanding of some of the key influences on people’s identity.

You only need to use a computer for the last part of the course once you've completed the book, so if you don’t currently have one you’ve plenty of time to make arrangements. You can use your own computer or one at a library or drop-in centre. Please note that you can study and pass this course if you don’t have access to the internet and a computer.

Entry

Like all Openings courses, this course is ideal if you’re a beginner or returning to study, we will help you to develop your study skills and become a confident learner.

The study materials have been prepared with the needs of new learners in mind. There are no entry requirements. Taking examples from everyday life, this course enables you to use your general knowledge and interests, and gradually build up to degree-level study. You will develop key study skills such as time management, note taking, reading for study purposes and reflection on your own learning.

This Openings course would be ideal preparation if you are interested in going on to study either the 60-credit course Introducing the social sciences (DD101) or the 30-credit course Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131) at Level 1. 

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and scientific or foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The printed study materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

If you opt to do the online element of this course you will need to make use of a personal computer and the internet.  If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or have concerns about accessing the type of material outlined, talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering about the support which can be given to meet your needs.

Study materials

What's included

Course books, DVD and a website where you can access the online resources.

Digital copies (PDFs) of most materials, and transcripts of the DVD can be found on the website. Transcripts are also available on the DVD itself if it is accessed through a computer.

You will need

Access to a telephone (preferably a landline) for contact with your tutor; and the equipment to play and watch a DVD.

You will need access to the internet and a computer to study the last two chapters of this course or if you wish to receive and send email and use our online services.

Computing requirements

This course includes optional, online, computer activities, which you can access using a web browser.

To take part in the online activities you will need a computer with internet access.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will keep in touch by a combination of telephone, written correspondence and, if you want, email. There are no face-to-face tutorials; all tutorials are conducted between you and your tutor on the telephone. Your tutor will help you to plan your work and to think about the ideas explored in the course. Your tutor will also comment on and help you with your written work. At the end of the course you will discuss your progress with your tutor, and you will work together to review your learning.

Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.

You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.

The iCMA (interactive computer-marked assignment) needs to be submitted online.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in March and June 2013 when it will be available for the last time. Each course lasts for a maximum of 20 weeks.

How to register

To see how to register choose your country above.

If you live in England and have an annual household income of less than £25,000 you may be successful in gaining a place on our Access to Success Route. To find out more and check if you're eligible please contact our friendly team of advisors on 0845 300 60 90. You cannot register online for the Access to Success Route. Call us today to reserve your place.

Please note: Access to Success is not a loan. Students studying Openings as Step 1 of the Access to Success Route will only pay £25!

If you are not eligible for a place on the Access to Success Route and live in England, you can still register on this course. Download the registration form. You can also find out about ways to pay. If you need any further advice or support please do not hesitate to conact us on 0845 300 60 90.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information read Distance learning explained.

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

A taste of OU study

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