Arts & History from OpenLearn - Free learning resources from the Open University

The Oral History Society
A national and international organisation dedicated to the collection and preservation of oral history, which encourages people of all ages to tape, video or write down their own and other people's life stories.

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The People's War? Study Pack
Bill Purdue, James Chapman
ISBN 0749201487 Published by Open University Worldwide
The pack includes a book, The Second World War, which provides a concise account of the war,a DVD with a selection of film extracts from newsreel, documentary and feature film as well as original radio broadcasts from the period, and a Study Guide to take you through the book and the DVD.

Which type of course is best for you?

• New to undergraduate study?
• Not sure you want to commit to a long course?
• Have study experience and looking for more?

Openings

If you haven’t experienced higher education before, deciding to become an undergraduate student can be a big step. But don’t worry, the OU’s designed a programme that allows you to dip your toe in the water before committing yourself!

Making Sense of the Arts (Y160)
This course introduces some of the key ideas and ways of thinking involved in studying the arts and humanities. It explores several different areas of study including poetry, history, art history, philosophy and religious studies

Short Courses

Start Writing Family History (A173)
This 12 week online course helps you interpret and write about family history. Using sources from different historical periods, you will investigate the changing nature of the family and write about your own family history examining the ways in which the past is remembered and represented.

Longer Courses and Qualifications

Open University courses are the main 'building blocks' of our qualifications. You can take a single course or take several to build towards an Open University diploma or degree.

Introduction to the Humanities (A103)
You will get from this course a lively and varied grounding in the eight disciplines in the Arts Faculty: art history, literature, music, philosophy, classical studies, history, religious studies, and history of science. The subjects are introduced in attractive case studies combined with multidisciplinary sections on the French Revolution and the 1960s. The course will help you to express yourself more clearly and develop the reading, analysis and interpretation skills you need before moving on to more specialised courses at Level 2. It is not necessary to have studied in this area before.