Rather Dull, but unfortunately necessary (Social Sciences At The Open University)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Social Sciences At The Open University
Date:	15/01/09 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gets you used to the OU and its study methods

Disadvantages: Of no interest, and completely irrevant for me

I have to say I am only half way thorough my first Open University course. I am studying toward a degree in Criminology and Psychological Studies, but in order to progress you must first pass the DD100 course, which is An Introduction to The Social Sciences.

~The Course So Far~

Initially it began well for me because the first assignment was about crime and crime statistics, which is what interests me most. Unfortunately it's only a taster assignment so is only worth half the points of a normal assignment.

From there is has gone down hill somewhat. The first full block was about Identity, and my word, it has to be the dullest topic on earth. Not only is it dull, it is also basic common sense, but you have to make it sound interesting and 'scientific'. It made me realise just how much money must be being wasted by university research to study something that is as I said just common sense.

I know I'm not the only person who found that particular block dull, there's a whole Facebook group of about 450 members, and I can only recall two people saying they didn't hate the topic.

The third topic was about recycling, slightly more interesting, but again there was nothing in the workbooks that hasn't been thrashed out in the newspapers and on the news about the need to recycle, the areas in which recycling is falling down. The assignment also calls for a basic knowledge of maths, you need to be able to work out percentages and be able to spot trends in a block of figures. I found this fairly simple, but I know a few people struggled because they couldn't abide anything to do with maths.

The topic I am currently studying if about power, whether its the division of power in employment, or in family life, do we have the power to change things around us. Again I'm back to what seems to be the theme for Social Science, much of it is common sense, although I have to say its a far more interesting block than the previous two.

So this is where I am at currently, to come are a block on globalization, and a block on Social Sciences and how they work. I've had a quick skim through the online versions, and they look relatively straight forward.

~My Thoughts So Far~

I have to say I am not at all impressed with DD100, and I am mildly annoyed that the Open University force you to do this course in order to progress to the next level.

My goal is to obtain my degree, then try to find employment in the Criminal Justice System, my initial hopes are the Probation Service, or the Prison Service perhaps as a prison psychology assistant, or something similar.

Somehow I cannot imagine ever sitting down and saying 'Now Little Johnny, if only you'd recycled more as a child, you wouldn't be here on you 150th vandalism charge.' The ins and out of recycling just don't interest me at all, and will have no relevance to at Criminology degree.

So why do I have to force myself to stay awake reading the material? If the OU want everyone to do a basic course in order to progress, then separate out the social sciences. Make it a basic course on Criminology, or Psychology, or if someone wants to study toward a Social Services degree, make the basic course a overview of social care. Just don't lump everyone in together and make them do a course no one wants to do.

That's my little rant over, I will say about the course generally, that the workbooks are sent out in a timely fashion, meaning if you are able to get ahead you are not waiting around for the next block to arrive. Should you get so far ahead that the books haven't arrived, then you can always read them online.

The audio cds and the DVD (which has taken over from the old TV programmes on late night BBC) are interesting and add an extra dimension to the learning process.

And whilst I am finding the course very tedious, I am determined to plod on, so I can begin learning in earnest when I start the next level in October.

Summary: Informative in part, but mostly common sense.