The Open University

Do you want to know more about how people have expressed themselves through the ages and around the world? If so, this module is for you. Studying the arts and humanities helps us to learn about what people thought and felt throughout history, as well as how the things they created influence the world we live in today. The module is built around three themes: 'reputations', 'traditions' and 'crossing boundaries'. It invites you to discover people, events, practices, ideas and works of art from three thousand years ago to the present day. No qualifications or previous study experience are needed, and there is lots of support available to help you succeed if this is your first module at university level. This module asks three key questions:

Why are some people remembered and some forgotten?
What are traditions and how do they influence us?
How are different cultures brought together or kept apart? This module provides the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and develop your skills in relation to art history, classical studies, creative writing, English literature, history, music, philosophy and religious studies. At the same time it is about how those different disciplines can work together to create unexpected perspectives and new forms of knowledge. The module also pays particular attention to the development of academic writing skills and offers lots of support if you are studying at university level for the first time.

Block 1: Reputations Block 2: Traditions Block 3: Crossing boundaries