Social Sciences

The Level 1, DD100 course 'Introduction to Social Science - understanding social change' is a well written, comprehensive course, the material supplied covers every aspect so you don't need to buy any course books and as present there is no residential school so it is ideal for anyone who cannot commit two weeks during the summer holidays.
The course, which last 10 months, is split into seven blocks, the first being an introductory block focusing more on giving the student the basic study skills needed to progress with ease and it is therefore suitable for anyone who has been out of education for sometime as the pace in the beginning is quite relaxed. The blocks covered after the introductory block are (1) questioning identity, (2)The natural and the Social, (3) ordering lives, (4)a globalizing world?, (5)Knowledge and the social sciences and (6)is the end of course review. Each block is structured and comes with a workbook to help guide you through each textbook, audio and video tapes along with BBC2 programs. Their are 7 TMA's (assessments) and the final one is taken under exam conditions although this is more to prepare you for future study and counts towards only a small percentage of your overall mark.

When you recieve your first pack of material you will also get a timetable showing what you should be working on that week, this makes it easy to stay up to date although you do need some self discpline to stick to it. You should allow 16 hours a week for this course.

I intend to complete a degree in Social Science and upon completion this course will give me 60 points towards my degree although DD100 would be equally well suited to someone who was just interested in the Social Sciences and once completed the student does gain a certificate in social science.

As with all OU courses finacial assistance is available to those on low incomes and benefits and it is worth while applying for these if you think you may qualify, when you register your interest in a course also request an application to apply for a finacial award.

The OU has a great website and you can enroll online, many of the tutors are also 'net wise' and are happy to talk to students via email.

I had originally started a conventional HND via college but had to drop out, the OU is my second chance and in comparision to college I prefer the OU, the content is more current and unlike a traditional college approach where social science is broken down into subjects (sociology, politics, psychology, economics, geography, history) the Ou approach it as one subject making it easier to relate to and understand.