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Investigating the social world

This multidisciplinary module uses a range of learning technologies to help you understand how social scientists investigate the social world. Drawing on the subjects of criminology, social policy, economics, environmental studies, geography, international studies, politics and sociology, you will explore a wide range of everyday topics. Through the module’s investigative and thematic approach you’ll learn the methods, perspectives and tools of the social sciences, further developing your analytical and evaluative skills. This module will help you decide your specialisation at OU level 2, and equip you with a range of skills for further independent study, and for your personal and working life.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate-level module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Social Sciences qualifications

Module

Module code: DD103
Credits: 60
Study level: 1
Study method: Distance Learning
Module cost: See Module registration
Entry requirements: See Am I ready?

Student Reviews

DD103 is a logical step up from DD102. However, be prepared and do not take it as a first module...
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Module details Am I ready? Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This OU level 1 module consists of four blocks of study that take an international perspective to explore the structure of the social world. Block 1 is introductory; blocks 2, 3 and 4 each have a topic and a theme, with an integrated set of learning and teaching materials that focus on helping you to develop specific skills:

questioning and evidence (Block 2)
analysing and evaluating (Block 3)
debating and communicating (Block 4).

You will engage with these linked processes of social science investigation throughout the module.

Block 1, the trigger block, uses the topic of money to introduce you to the way the social sciences investigate the social world.

Block 2 uses the topic of home and the theme of inequality to explore how five different social science perspectives understand different meanings and issues around what home is, or what it can be.

Block 3 looks at the political, economic and geographical aspects of responsibility for the environment and the question the use of its resources. The theme of rights is used to look at different aspects of this key contemporary issue.

Block 4 explores boundaries – social, policy, legal and others – and how they structure the world. The theme of justice is used to understand key issues such as immigration, criminalisation, Fairtrade policies and noise as examples of boundaries.

You will learn

You will learn:

the ways in which the social sciences investigate the social world through questioning, analysing, evaluating and engaging
how the social sciences investigate familiar and contemporary social issues
about debates at the centre of life in the contemporary world.

You’ll develop an awareness of a range of different disciplinary approaches in the social sciences and you will gain confidence and skills in:

studying and accessing information from a range of sources
constructing arguments
reading, interpreting and evaluating evidence
presenting and communicating ideas and information in a variety of formats
managing your time
communicating effectively
learning from feedback
reflecting on your own learning.

Vocational relevance

After this module, further study in the social sciences could open up employment opportunities in a wide range of occupations in business, banking, insurance, education, health professions, administration, law, social services, voluntary and campaigning organisations, the media, public relations, public service organisations and government (national and local), planning and environmental management, the criminal justice system, and social welfare organisations. The module builds a strong basis of vocationally oriented skills that are transferable to the job market.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study materials and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods.

We will offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the module. In addition, there will also be the possibility of online tutorials and day schools.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.

You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).

Future availability

The details given here are for the module that starts in October 2017. This module is expected to start for the last time in February 2025.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Essential Documents website.

Course work includes:; 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
: 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
: End-of-module assessment
: No residential school

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

Entry

This is an OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at OU level 2.

Investigating the social world is designed to follow on from Introducing the social sciences (DD102) but it is also available for standalone study.

If you are new to higher education, we recommend that you first study Introducing the social sciences (DD102); its interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences and its integrated teaching of key study skills will give you a firm foundation for further study.

You can use our online diagnostic quiz Are you Ready for DD103? to help you decide if you’re ready, or if you need some extra preparation.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start	End	England fee	Register
07 Oct 2017	Jun 2018	£2864.00	Registration closes 14/09/17 (places subject to availability) Register
27 Jan 2018	Sep 2018	£2864.00	Registration closes 11/01/18 (places subject to availability) Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in February 2025.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a laptop, travel to tutorials, set books and internet access.

If you're on a low income you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.

Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.

We accept American Express, Maestro (UK only), Mastercard, Visa/Delta and Visa Electron.

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).

For more information about combining payment options, speak to an adviser.

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and therefore the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fees and funding information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2018. Fees normally increase annually in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees.

This information was provided on 22/08/2017.

What's included

Two module text books, audio, video and online activities delivered via the module website.

Computing requirements

You will need a device with internet access to study this module as a web browser is used to access learning materials and activities. Any other computer-based activities you will need to carry out, such as word processing, using spreadsheets, taking part in online forums, and submitting files to the university for assessment, are specified in the module materials. If any additional software is needed for these tasks it will either be provided or is freely available. You may need administrative privileges to install software required for this module. Windows 10 S is not suitable as it restricts software installation to software available in the Windows Application Store.

Suitable devices are:

A Windows desktop or laptop running Windows 7 or later operating system
A Macintosh desktop or laptop running OS X 10.8 or later operating system.

Some software will not run on Linux, iOS or Android devices.

A netbook, tablet, smartphone or Linux computer that supports one of the browsers listed below may be suitable. However, these devices may not be suitable for some activities. If you intend to use one of these devices please ensure you have access to a suitable desktop or laptop device that uses the Windows or OS X operating system in case you are unable to carry out all activities on your mobile device.

Recent versions of the following browsers are suitable for carrying out web-based activities:

Safari
Chrome
Firefox
Edge

Or Internet Explorer 9 and above.

Using a browser upgraded to the latest version will maximise security when accessing the internet.

Using company or library computers may prevent you accessing some internet materials or installing additional software.

To be able to talk and listen in our online discussions you will need both a microphone and speakers/headphones.

Devices with small screens may make it difficult to view the material provided and carry out the activities. However, a device that has a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and also at least 768 pixels vertically should be adequate.

See our Skills for OU study website for further information about computing skills for study and educational deals for buying Microsoft Office software.

If you have a disability

This module includes a website and the use of tools such as online activities and audio-visual files. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in using a personal computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.

If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Find out more about our services for disabled students.

Investigating the social world

Modules count towards OU qualifications

Module

Student Reviews

What you will study

You will learn

Vocational relevance

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Future availability

Regulations

Course work includes:

Course satisfaction survey

Entry

Register

Additional Costs

Study costs

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

Employer sponsorship

Credit/debit card

Mixed payments

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

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The Open University

What you will study

You will learn

Vocational relevance

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Future availability

Regulations

Course work includes:

Course satisfaction survey

Entry

Register

Additional Costs

Study costs

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

Employer sponsorship

Credit/debit card

Mixed payments

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

Sprache ändern

Connect with us

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