• I'm new to Open University study – is this a good first course?
• Do I have to buy many books?
• What equipment will I need?
• I have a disability. Is the course suitable for me?
• How many assignments will I be writing?
• Is there an exam?
• Can this course be successfully completed if I'm not based in the UK?
AD281 is Level 2 course. You are not required to have completed any other Open University courses before this one, but the course is written on the basis that students registering will have acquired the skills that result from Level 1 study, e.g. logical thinking, clear expression, essay writing and the ability to select and interpret relevant material. The arts past and present (AA100) offers an introduction to all eight disciplines in the Arts Faculty and to interdisciplinary work. Heritage, whose heritage? (A180) is an online Level 1 short course that will introduce you to some of the debates and campaigns about heritage objects and places, and teach you more about the heritage management process. Your regional or national centre will be able to tell you where you can see reference copies of AA100 and A180 course materials, or you can buy selected materials from Open University Worldwide Ltd.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Most of your course materials are included in the cost of registration, however, you will need to purchase the following set Reader and set Text:
L. Smith, The Uses of Heritage, Routledge, £17.99
G. Fairclough, R. Harrison, J.H. Jameson Jnr, J. Schofield (eds), The Heritage Reader, Routledge, £27.50
Although the three course books Understanding the politics of heritage , Understanding heritage in practice and Understanding heritage and memory are co-published by Manchester University Press, you do not need to purchase these separately - they are included in the cost of registration and we will send them to you after you register.
The course makes use of a range of media, so you will need to have access to an audio CD player, a DVD player and/or a PC with a DVD drive.
This course has online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Transcripts of the audio and video on the DVD can be provided. Some images are available on the course website in a gallery, with the facility to enlarge and move around the image. These images are provided with textual descriptions. Images provided in the course books have also been described.
The course materials are available on CD-ROM in Adobe (pdf) format. This can be used with a screen reader or large print can be produced. Large print versions of the course materials can also be provided on request.
If you are a new student, make sure that you have our booklet Meeting Your Needs. You can obtain a copy by contacting our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. We provide a range of support services for individual needs but some of these may take several months to arrange. Please contact us for advice if you have concerns about taking this course, or the support that could be provided.
The Services for disabled students website explains how we can support your study.
You will be assessed by means of six tutor-marked assignments (TMA). In addition to these six TMAs, there will be a three hour examination.
There will be a three hour examination.
This course is available for study in the countries shown on the course description page. Fees may vary by country. You will need to select your country from the drop-down menu and select the 'update fee' button.
