Social Sciences around the OU
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Social Sciences - OU Community Online
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Articles, news, comment, links and more for those working, studying, or with an interest in the Social Sciences: Economics, Geography, Politics and International Studies, Psychology, Social Policy and Criminology and Sociology
New privacy game explores the cost of telling all online
A game which looks at how much personal information people are willing to reveal freely online - and the implications of that -has been launched on Facebook by OU researchers.
It forms part of an online event which will run throughout the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science, which is taking place from 3 to 10 November.
The game is designed for three to five players who can assume the identity of various characters: hacker, bank manager, advertiser, health service worker, employer and community reporter. As they play the game, the characters are invited to reveal social, digital, financial, biographical, security and health information. The way to win is to keep the most valuable information to themselves while trying to find out what information others have. There is also the option to use the single player version on OpenLearn.
“This game looks at how much information people are willing to share online,” said Dr Kirstie Ball, an Open University expert on surveillance and director of CRISP - the Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance and Privacy, which is Europe’s first Surveillance Studies research centre.
“For example, are people willing to trade family health details with strangers without assessing the cost to them of trading this information?” Dr Ball asks. “People are often aware when they are providing personal data but are often unaware that data are being collected about them and how such data may be used, for example, their mobile phone providing a record of where they have been.
"The privacy game will raise awareness about the extent to which data about their everyday activities are being scrutinised and the use of such data for both security and commercial purposes in the UK.”
The original game was developed by David Barnard Wills as part of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Centre (EPSRC) funded Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression (VOME) project, which was based at Cranfield, Royal Holloway and Salford University. Dr Ball and her team adapted it for online distribution.
A game which looks at how much personal information people are willing to reveal freely online - and the implications of that -has been launched on Facebook by OU researchers. The online version of the game, which was developed by Dr Kirstie Ball and researchers at the OU’s Business School, is designed to communicate and explore privacy and consent issues. It forms part ...
The Second Symposium: Deorientalizing Citizenship? (London)
The Second Symposium: Deorientalizing Citizenship? takes place on 12-13 November 2012 in London and the event is open to members of the OU community - students and staff - for free.
What images of citizenship are emerging in relation to the processes of decolonization and deorientalization? Keynote speakers Saba Mahmood and Walter Mignolo together with a selection of panellists will address this question from multi-disciplinary perspectives.
For full details of the programme and to register online, see here.
contact:
Oecumene-Project@open.ac.uk
start date:
Monday, 12 November, 2012 (All day)
end date:
Tuesday, 13 November, 2012 (All day)
The Second Symposium: Deorientalizing Citizenship? takes place on 12-13 November 2012 in London and the event is open to members of the OU community - students and staff - for free. What images of citizenship are emerging in relation to the processes of decolonization and deorientalization? Keynote speakers Saba Mahmood and Walter Mignolo together with a selection of panellists will address ...
Studying DD101 - get in touch!
If anyone is studying DD101 in Suffolk - why not get in touch?
Hi!
Been all around these forums and OUSA and can't find anyone who is near me 
If anyone is near Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall or Lakenheath area, give me a shout! I am 41, lone parent, just started DD101, looking towards my degree in Social Policy and Criminology and am feeling pretty alone in it all really...any contact would be greatly appreciated - even Bury St Edmunds is realistic!!
Hope to hear from someone soon...
If anyone is studying DD101 in Suffolk - why not get in touch? Hi! Been all around these forums and OUSA and can't find anyone who is near me If anyone is near Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall or Lakenheath area, give me a shout! I am 41, lone parent, just started DD101, looking towards my degree in Social Policy and Criminology and am feeling pretty alone in it ...
DD101 in a little rural Suffolk village - anyone?!
Hi!
Been all around these forums and OUSA and can't find anyone who is near me
If anyone is near Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall or Lakenheath area, give me a shout! I am 41, lone parent, just started DD101, looking towards my degree in Social Policy and Criminology and am feeling pretty alone in it all really...any contact would be greatly appreciated - even Bury St Edmunds is realistic!!
Hope to hear from someone soon...
Hi! Been all around these forums and OUSA and can't find anyone who is near me If anyone is near Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall or Lakenheath area, give me a shout! I am 41, lone parent, just started DD101, looking towards my degree in Social Policy and Criminology and am feeling pretty alone in it all really...any contact would be greatly appreciated - even Bury St Edmunds is ...
Criminology and psychology (intensive pathway) starting in feb 2013
Hi guys,
My names Siobhan, Im 18 years old and have just finised sixth form a couple of months ago so I'm pretty used to all this studying etc. By looking at the people who are coming in to studying after years of not studying, congrats to you! Really has motivated me to stay in education and get my degree :)
I'm obviously new to all this degree stuff especially these modules so it would be great to hear from people who have already started this course and could message me on facebook and let me hear about how it's going for them and what the course is like :) or people who are starting next year like me, can add me too! I would be much very grateful to hear from yous :)
Facebook: Siobhan Rooney
Twitter: siobhanrxx
Hi guys, My names Siobhan, Im 18 years old and have just finised sixth form a couple of months ago so I'm pretty used to all this studying etc. By looking at the people who are coming in to studying after years of not studying, congrats to you! Really has motivated me to stay in education and get my degree :) I'm obviously new to all this degree stuff especially these modules so it ...
Find out about spitting on the streets and other bad habits
Developed with the Faculty of Social Sciences to bring attention to the course, The uses of social science, the timeline draws much of its content from Norbert Elias’s The Civilizing Process, which traces connections between the formation of the modern state and a long process of civilisation over 500 years of Western European history, allowing people to discover how attitudes to habits have changed from the Middle Ages.
A discussion hub has also been launched beside it, giving people the chance to air their views on whether people’s filthy habits have really improved that much.
(1 vote)
Did you know that in the 1500s, it was quite acceptable to spit on the street as long as you trod on your spit afterwards? This and many other gems of knowledge are explored in OpenLearn’s brand new Timeline of Bad Habits, which delves into 500 years of permissible parps and social spitting. Developed with the Faculty of Social Sciences to bring attention to the course, ...
Hello people, looking for people in London studying Crim and Psych Studies
Would like to hear from anyone one the course, be great just to hear from someone in the same boat as me. I live in london so that would also be a touch if any members also are. Annyyywhoo.....get in touch
email: Diabolus.ago616@yahoo.co.uk
bbm; 269b7f08
just give me a shout, an im sure being in contact will be helpful for all.
Peace
Would like to hear from anyone one the course, be great just to hear from someone in the same boat as me. I live in london so that would also be a touch if any members also are. Annyyywhoo.....get in touch email: Diabolus.ago616@yahoo.co.uk bbm; 269b7f08 just give me a shout, an im sure being in contact will be helpful for all. Peace
New social media handbook launched
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of blogs, wikis, social networking and information-sharing websites out there?
Help is at hand with a new Handbook of Social Media for researchers, developed by OU Computing academics Shailey Minocha and Marian Petre.
It provides a wide-ranging overview of social media sites and tools that are useful for research and includes the results of interviews with social media users.
The Handbook, funded through Vitae Innovate is aimed primarily at postgraduate and early career researchers and their supervisors.
Download the Handbook of Social Media free.
(9 votes)
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of blogs, wikis, social networking and information-sharing websites out there? Help is at hand with a new Handbook of Social Media for researchers, developed by OU Computing academics Shailey Minocha and Marian Petre. It provides a wide-ranging overview of social media sites and tools that are useful for research and includes the results of interviews with ...
NUS
I just wanted to ask if anyone knows why The Open University students arent intitled to an NUS discount card? The webite says it is for all students, but doesnt have The Open University as an option. For £12 a year, it offers some amazing discounts for all sorts of things, and also works as an ID.
Kayleigh
I just wanted to ask if anyone knows why The Open University students arent intitled to an NUS discount card? The webite says it is for all students, but doesnt have The Open University as an option. For £12 a year, it offers some amazing discounts for all sorts of things, and also works as an ID. Kayleigh
Criminology & Psychology Intensive Pathway???
Hi Everyone
I'm Becki from Lutterworth and I'm looking to find people that are studying any of my modules and definately people that are on the intensive pathway!
SDK125, DD131, DSE141 and B120
I have three children and and husband (so I suppose that makes 4!) I am taking a career break to complete my degree before I am 40 and I'm now getting a little worried that I have bitten off more than I can chew as the books have taken over my computer desk!
Would be great to hear from anyone, feel free to add me on facebook or twitter . . . 'Becki Barnett' as I'm not great on this platform milarky!
Hope to speak to you soon
Beck
Hi Everyone I'm Becki from Lutterworth and I'm looking to find people that are studying any of my modules and definately people that are on the intensive pathway! SDK125, DD131, DSE141 and B120 I have three children and and husband (so I suppose that makes 4!) I am taking a career break to complete my degree before I am 40 and I'm now getting a little worried that I have ...
DD131 & DSE141 course starting in October! Who's in the same boat?
Hey my names Kaz!
I would like to see if we can get a group together for those starting these courses! As i'm sure we're all feeling the same of mixed excitment and pure terror! So i think it would be really good to start a group so we can feel like we've got a bit more support! I'm based in Southampton but i'm thinking it would be best do start up an online group. Of course if anyone's from Soton please give me a shout! and good luck everyone!!
Kaz
x
Hey my names Kaz! I would like to see if we can get a group together for those starting these courses! As i'm sure we're all feeling the same of mixed excitment and pure terror! So i think it would be really good to start a group so we can feel like we've got a bit more support! I'm based in Southampton but i'm thinking it would be best do start up an online group. Of course if ...
Anyone studying DD132 in Oct/Nov 2012?
Hi, I am just coming to the end of DD131 and am going straight onto DD132. I was just wondering how many others are studying it? A lot of people seem to be going down the psychology route instead.
Kirsty
Hi, I am just coming to the end of DD131 and am going straight onto DD132. I was just wondering how many others are studying it? A lot of people seem to be going down the psychology route instead. Kirsty
DD131 & DSE141 October 2012 start
Hi there. I'm Chloe from East Anglia - wondered if there's anyone else out there starting the same courses as me. I'm not the best forum user - so please feel free to drop me a line to chloestimpson@hotmail.co.uk. I'm both excited and aprehensive about starting with the OU - not sure how I'll manage to juggle my time (with two young kids) but am most worried about disappearing into cyberspace and never finding the info/resources that are available/most useful.....
Hi there. I'm Chloe from East Anglia - wondered if there's anyone else out there starting the same courses as me. I'm not the best forum user - so please feel free to drop me a line to chloestimpson@hotmail.co.uk. I'm both excited and aprehensive about starting with the OU - not sure how I'll manage to juggle my time (with two young kids) but am most worried about disappearing into ...
New to Criminology and Psychological Studies - Looking for fellow students!
Hello All :)
I am starting DSE141 Discovering psychology in October 2012 and DD131 Introducing the social sciences - part one In February 2013 - I'm looking for fellow students who study in this area or are even doing the same courses. Please do say hello, I'm not great with forums but I'm an active Twitter user - @sophmillerxo
Looking forward to hearing back!
Sophie
Hello All :) I am starting DSE141 Discovering psychology in October 2012 and DD131 Introducing the social sciences - part one In February 2013 - I'm looking for fellow students who study in this area or are even doing the same courses. Please do say hello, I'm not great with forums but I'm an active Twitter user - @sophmillerxo Looking forward to hearing back! Sophie
DD101 social sciences
Hi i'm Gemma 28 from Coventry and starting DD101 in October. Doing 60 credits this year as have a full time job. Been thinking about it for years now and finally plucked up the courage to do it. Bit nervous about juggling life, work and study but going to give it a go. Anyone in my area as would love to hear from you????
Hi i'm Gemma 28 from Coventry and starting DD101 in October. Doing 60 credits this year as have a full time job. Been thinking about it for years now and finally plucked up the courage to do it. Bit nervous about juggling life, work and study but going to give it a go. Anyone in my area as would love to hear from you???? gemmalamb@live.co.uk
DSE212 and DD208 starting Oct 2012
Hi, my name's Ellie and I'm starting the intensive pathway of the BSc Criminology and Psychological studies in October 2012. However, I have skipped into the second year and am looking to find anyone who is studying the same modules? Or anyone who lives up in the North East of Scotland near me?
Hi, my name's Ellie and I'm starting the intensive pathway of the BSc Criminology and Psychological studies in October 2012. However, I have skipped into the second year and am looking to find anyone who is studying the same modules? Or anyone who lives up in the North East of Scotland near me?
Modern relationships – time to rewrite the rules?
A new book by Dr Meg Barker, senior lecturer in psychology at The Open University, explores the complicated and contradictory rules of relationships.
Rewriting the Rules, (Routledge), asks questions such as: Which to choose from all the rules on offer? Do we stick to the old rules we learnt growing up, or try something new and risk being out on our own? And what about the times when the rules we love by seem to make things worse, rather than better? This book considers how the rules are being ‘rewritten’ in various ways, giving the power to the reader to find an approach which best fits their situation.
Dr Barker said: “We are currently in a state of massive uncertainty about relationships. Never before in our history has there been more advice available on who and how to love, and never before have the rules we receive about relationships been more confusing and contradictory. At the same time that everything from official forms to social networking sites seem intent on defining us by our relationships there is less and less clarity about what exactly we’re talking about. If we were honest perhaps we’d all tick the box which says ‘it’s complicated’.”
The book examines the wide variety of rules which exist including those relating to sex, gender and conflict, and looks at both old and new rules of relating, and how these might be useful to people today. For instance with more and more people committing to each other through marriages and other public ceremonies, the book explores the ways in which different people interpret these promises, the tensions that can occur when people have different interpretations, and what alternative commitments may be made if the usual conventions are being rewritten from scratch.
The book is available now, published by Routledge.
Find out more:
About Meg Barker
Rewriting the rules blog
Buy Rewriting the Rules
(2 votes)
A new book by Dr Meg Barker, senior lecturer in psychology at The Open University, explores the complicated and contradictory rules of relationships. Rewriting the Rules, (Routledge), asks questions such as: Which to choose from all the rules on offer? Do we stick to the old rules we learnt growing up, or try something new and risk being out on our own? And what about the ...
Anybody doing the DD131 in Social Science we could use this as help for each other xx
I am doing DD131 and am on TMA3 which I am finding very difficult if there is anyone out there with help would be very much appriciated xxx
I am doing DD131 and am on TMA3 which I am finding very difficult if there is anyone out there with help would be very much appriciated xxx
Starting DD101 & DD206 in October 2012
Hi, I'm Paul, 54 years old from East Anglia, I'm starting DD101 & DD206 in October 2012; Anyone else near me doing the same? Love to hear from you.
Paul
Hi, I'm Paul, 54 years old from East Anglia, I'm starting DD101 & DD206 in October 2012; Anyone else near me doing the same? Love to hear from you. Paul
DD131 - October start
Hi, is anyone else starting DD131 in October? If so, I would love to hear from you.
Hi, is anyone else starting DD131 in October? If so, I would love to hear from you.
Administrators
What Political Party do you support?
Labour
60% (31 votes)
Conservatives
15% (8 votes)
Lliberal Democrats
8% (4 votes)
UKIP
15% (8 votes)
CEP Citizen Empowerment Party
2% (1 vote)
Total votes: 52
Labour 60% (31 votes) Conservatives 15% (8 votes) Lliberal Democrats 8% (4 votes) UKIP 15% (8 votes) CEP Citizen Empowerment Party 2% (1 vote) Total votes: 52
Are you taking part in the Social Sciences Friday Thinker on Facebook?
Yes
16% (7 votes)
No
51% (22 votes)
I'm not using Facebook
33% (14 votes)
Total votes: 43
Yes 16% (7 votes) No 51% (22 votes) I'm not using Facebook 33% (14 votes) Total votes: 43
Who's your favourite TV expert on British TV (current or of all time)?
David Attenborough
55% (399 votes)
Mary Beard
5% (33 votes)
Martin Lewis
3% (24 votes)
Jo Frost
2% (15 votes)
Brian Cox
21% (150 votes)
Maggie Aderin-Pocock
0% (1 vote)
The Hairy Bikers: David Myers & Simon King
2% (18 votes)
The Two Fat Ladies: Clarissa Dickson Wright & Jennifer Paterson
1% (8 votes)
Gareth Malone
2% (18 votes)
Monty Halls
0% (3 votes)
Other
7% (52 votes)
Total votes: 721
David Attenborough 55% (399 votes) Mary Beard 5% (33 votes) Martin Lewis 3% (24 votes) Jo Frost 2% (15 votes) Brian Cox 21% (150 votes) Maggie Aderin-Pocock 0% (1 vote) The Hairy Bikers: David Myers & Simon King 2% (18 votes) The Two Fat Ladies: Clarissa ...
Have you completed the Enduring Love? project questionnaire?
The project questionnaire aims to generate information on the breadth and diversity of relationship experience in the 21st Century and the factors that enable couples to sustain long-term relationships.
The project questionnaire is available on the Enduring Love? project website.
Yes
20% (11 votes)
No
50% (27 votes)
I am going to
30% (16 votes)
Total votes: 54
The project questionnaire aims to generate information on the breadth and diversity of relationship experience in the 21st Century and the factors that enable couples to sustain long-term relationships. The project questionnaire is available on the Enduring Love? project website. Yes 20% (11 votes) No ...
Is the UN's resolution authorising "all necessary measures" to prevent attacks on Libyan civilians long overdue?
Yes. Why did it take the UN so long to take action?
54% (75 votes)
No. Such a decision cannot be taken lightly.
34% (48 votes)
I have no idea. I'm not very informed on these sort of things.
12% (17 votes)
Total votes: 140
Yes. Why did it take the UN so long to take action? 54% (75 votes) No. Such a decision cannot be taken lightly. 34% (48 votes) I have no idea. I'm not very informed on these sort of things. 12% (17 votes) Total votes: 140
Have you heard about the OU research project Oecumene: Citizenship after Orientalism?
Yes
31% (4 votes)
No
38% (5 votes)
Yes, I would like to contribute
0% (0 votes)
No, but I'm interested
31% (4 votes)
Total votes: 13
Yes 31% (4 votes) No 38% (5 votes) Yes, I would like to contribute 0% (0 votes) No, but I'm interested 31% (4 votes) Total votes: 13