OpenLearn marks UK Parliament Week with new ‘social change’ course

Posted on 14 November 2022 • Arts and social sciences, Society and politics

If you want to know how to make political and social change then The Open University’s OpenLearn platform has the answer.

In celebration of the annual UK Parliament Week, from 14-20 November, which the OU partners with, OpenLearn is highlighting a new course designed for the young and old titled: Introduction to making political and social change.

The free course consists of ten hours of learning and gives essential background to help you get started by providing examples of inspirational people who have made an impact within and on the exterior of traditional UK parliamentary politics.

It will tell you:

• What qualities you might need to bring about change
• How change is made within the UK Parliament, the devolved Parliaments in Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly
• How you can engage with the governments across the UK
• How you can make a change

By studying the course people will be able to recognise some of the global challenges that interest them, understand the workings of UK political institutions and their role in change, and how they can be a changemaker.

Dr Dan Taylor is a lecturer in Social and Political Thought at The Open University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), he said:

“My job is to teach people to think about politics and how democracies can adapt to the new global challenges of our times.

“This new course is a great introduction for people wanting to learn how the political systems across the four nations work and – all importantly – how to go about making a difference.”

Last year the OU created the Changemakers: a Guide to Making Political and Social Change (open.ac.uk) in association with UK Parliament Week.

Changemakers can be from any walk of life such as footballer Marcus Rashford who successfully campaigned for the government to act on the need to end childhood food poverty. As a result, the government offered vouchers for meals for children in the school holidays.

Dr Patrina Law, Head of OpenLearn, said:

“Campaigners don’t have to be high profile, campaigners can be our neighbours, friends, children or acquaintances down your street.

“We live in a world of multiple challenges – political, social, health-related, environmental and economic. This course will help people to make a difference through learning about political and social engagement, offering guidance and inspiration.”

Visit UK Parliament Week or contact OU/UK Parliament partnership lead Dr Donna Smith.

Picture credit: Cristian Gusa for Shutterstock