The samples featured here mostly come from OpenLearn and iTunes U. They are taken from various points in the courses - some are relatively simple introductions but others are more complex extracts from the later weeks. There are also some links to study guides, calendars and book chapters. Remember you can also view course books and study guides at many public libraries and at OU regional and national centres.
Introducing the philosophy of religion on OpenLearn asks what the words 'God' and 'religion' mean, and what it means to ask philosophical questions about them (around 12 hours' work).
Exploring Philosophy makes the case that philosophy is relevant to modern life. This is available as an iTunes U album and as an OU podcast, if you don't use iTunes.
Justice and Morality examines the nature of morality and justice and their relationship with each other. This is available as an iTunes U album and as an OU podcast, if you don't use iTunes.
David Hume: 18th Century Philosopher features a discussion with The Open University’s Nigel Warburton, A.C. Grayling and other philosophers, who consider Hume’s key theories around the self, induction and his argument against miracles. This is available as an iTunes U album and as an OU podcast , if you don't use iTunes.
There is a unit on OpenLearn on Hume (around 16 hours' study) and albums on Re-assessing the Marquis de Sade (available from iTunes U or OU Podcasts) and Wordsworth re-visited available from iTunes U or OU Podcasts).
There are five units on OpenLearn: Minds and mental phenomena (around 20 hours' work); Emotion: an introductory picture (around 20 hours' work); Language and thought: introducing representation (around 20 hours' work); Imagination: the missing mystery of philosophy (around 20 hours' work);and Introducing consciousness (around 20 hours' work).
The Thought and Experience album on iTunes U has audio files on Origins of the modern concept of mind, Issues facing contemporary philosophy of mind, Ancient philosophers' views on emotions, A contemporary study of emotions, The Gricean Program, Thought experiments in philosophy, Naturalistic theories of mental content, Defining Creativity, David Novitz's criticisms of The Creative Mind, Four “Lovelace” questions, The relationship between imagination and creativity, The hard problem of consciousness, Consciousness Explained; or go to the OU podcasts version.
The course taster site includes extracts from the course books, an audio track on soul versus mind, the course guide and a sample study calendar.
The course information website answers some frequently asked questions, particularly regarding who this course is suitable for.
The course information website addresses whether you are ready for MA-level study and includes suggestions for preparatory reading and answers to frequently-asked questions. It also links to a week's study unit on OpenLearn.
