Level 3

The making of Welsh history (A329)

This module explores themes that have shaped the British Isles, from medieval lordship and conflict, through the spread of Protestantism and the industrial revolution, to political protest and the rise of nationalism in an era of globalisation. By studying this module you will gain the skills you need to write a final 6,000-word dissertation, in which you will carry out an in-depth investigation of a topic that you select. Throughout this online module you will work together with other students to form a tight knit ‘learning community’, sharing ideas and sources and helping to improve one another’s work.

Art and its global histories (A344)

This module presents a new history of art, starting with the Renaissance, when Europeans encountered a new range of desirable objects from across the globe. It then explores the role of art and architecture in colonial expansion up to 1800, before looking in depth at art and culture in British India. It concludes by analysing the globalisation of artistic practice from the twentieth century to the present day. The module highlights the vital role that art has played in the stories that Europeans have told about the wider world, and suggests ways in which these stories might be challenged or revised. See sample material.

Europe 1914-1989: war, peace, modernity (A327)

This module will give you an overview of Europe's twentieth-century history. It begins with Europe on the eve of the First World War and ends with the reunification of Germany at the end of the Cold War. As well as analysing political and military developments, it will introduce you to the key themes in Europe’s economic, social, medical and cultural history. A central focus of the module is how historians have studied the period. You will be introduced to historical debates, and to the vast resources for the study of twentieth-century history that are now being made available online.

Empires: Power, Resistance, Legacies (A328)

Empires have had a remarkable impact on world history over the last five centuries. This module explores empires thematically, looking at their origins, rule, the experiences of imperialists and their subjects, forces of resistance, and imperial decay and legacies. The British empire is covered in detail along with its European counterparts and Asian empires: Ottoman, Mughal, and China. The module is about half online, and uses sources – including personal journals, oral histories, court records, film and photographs – to explore the perspectives of a wide range of people: from rulers and resisters to ordinary subjects.

Art and its critical histories (A336)

This is a dissertation module, designed as the final stage in your degree journey. Prior study of art history is strongly recommended. Over three taught blocks, with module books and online study, you will work with ways of approaching works of art, architecture, and design within the discipline of art history. A336 is about thinking, and writing, with critical analysis. How do you identify what art means? Why is art connected to society? How do visual works communicate? Can art explain ideas? You’ll be introduced to some key authors and their works and shown through case studies how you can apply their ideas and methods to a range of art works. The case studies have a global scope and delve into prehistory as well as reaching into contemporary art. Writing as a craft is an important theme, leading up to your choice of dissertation project. Block 4 is your dissertation, supported by two teaching weeks, in which you produce either a 7000-word academic dissertation OR a 5000 word dissertation plus a 2000 word discussion and rewriting of your dissertation in a public-facing format.

Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)

In this module you'll explores some of the most important and influential traditions of sociological thought and the ever-changing social worlds that they emerge in response to. It examines how transformations across four key areas of concern – work, culture, life, and control – have been accompanied by both significant social struggles and associated innovations in social theory and analysis. The range of specific topics and case studies explored moves from racial capitalism to precarious work, new forms of nationalism to biopolitics, algorithmic power to climate change.

Medieval and early Modern Scotland, c.1100-1707

This module is offered in collaboration with the University of Dundee and can count towards Q01, R14 and the Open degree (QD). It looks at the history of Scotland from the Anglo-Norman reforms of the twelfth century to the Union of Parliaments with England in 1707. It therefore covers the Wars of Independence, the Stewarts kingdom of the late medieval period and the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the civil wars of the seventeenth century. As well as political and religious history, it includes units on social and cultural themes. All students planning to study this module should read this guidance.

Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories (A350)

Since myth permeated nearly every aspect of Greek and Roman life, it is impossible to study the classical world without encountering myths in some form or other. In this module you’ll study a rich and fascinating range of art, literature, and material objects, looking not just at individual mythical figures and stories but also broader uses of myth in Classical Athens, Augustan Rome, and beyond. As well as extending your knowledge of Greek and Roman myth, you'll be able to develop as an independent learner and hone your skills of communicating with both academic and non-specialist audiences.

Creative Music Making (CTLU302)

This module, offered by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in collaboration with the Music at the OU, is aimed at practising musicians engaged in degree-level study of music. Students may be active in any genre of music, and there is no specific level of technical attainment required to register. Students examine their own and other musical practices, methods of developing and improving technical and practical skills, and the cultural place and value of different performance contexts. The module includes a residential school.

Modern Scottish History 1707-1997

This module is offered in collaboration with University of Dundee that can count towards Q01, R14 and the Open degree (QD). The Modern History module covers the period from the union of 1707 to the creation of the Scottish parliament in 1997. The module examines the social, political, religious and economic factors that have shaped modern Scotland, from high politics to the impacts of urbanisation, industrial growth and decline, and religion and everyday life. All students planning to study this module should read this guidance.

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