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Category: Arts and social sciences
Pass the mince pies – here’s why we eat so much at Christmas time
The turkey is prepped, you’ve bought dozens of mince pies, there’s selection boxes ready and that’s all before the cheeseboard comes out. Good food is part of our festive celebrations, but do we go too far? Professor Graham Harvey writes about why Christmas is a time of over-indulgence. According to at least one carol, Christmas […]
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What makes a good Christmas number one?
Dr Catherine Tackley from the OU’s music department examines what makes certain songs a hit at Christmas time. The official UK singles chart began in 1952, but many of the songs (as distinct from traditional Christmas carols) which remain popular at Christmas were established before that. ‘Jingle Bells’ by James Lord Pierpoint, dates back to 1857; […]
Does Santa exist? The dilemma for the caring professions
Marc Cornock is an academic lawyer and Senior Lecturer at The Open University, and he also writes regularly for the Nursing Standard. In this article, he explores the dilemma faced by those in caring professions when asked “is Santa real?” The Santa question isn’t just for parents It’s the question many parents dread in the build up […]
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The choirmaster whose carols became the sound of Christmas
At 3pm on Christmas Eve, millions of radios around the world will be tuned to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge in time to hear the pure voice of a single boy chorister singing one of the hardest solos of the church calendar, the first verse of “Once […]
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‘Twas millennia before Christmas
Who doesn’t love Christmas? The tree standing proud, adorned with baubles, lights, and surrounded by gifts; the radio singing festive songs, whilst the turkey slowly roasts in the oven; and the family gathered around the television with the grandparents eagerly awaiting the Queen’s Christmas Speech. Where did it all begin? Reader in British History at […]
Coping with depression and the Christmas blues
For many, this time of year isn’t always full of glad tidings and joy. Open University Psychologist, Professor Darren Langdridge talks about the Winter blues, practical ways to manage your mood, and how to deal with the expectations many have around Christmas time. Listen to Darren Langdridge’s podcast
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The free speech battle that forced Britain’s 18th-century radicals to flee
Main picture: “The Friends of the People”, Isaac Cruikshank (1764–1811), Mary Mark Ockerbloom While emigration into Britain has often been (and still is) associated with fear of oppression and escape from conflict, there is a general perception that emigration out of the country has been a rather more positive pursuit. Leaving Britain has long been associated […]
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How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force
Main image © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. When I finally see the new Star Wars film, I will be keeping my ears open. Although the initial trilogy was justly celebrated for its use of groundbreaking visual effects, for me, the sound of the films has always been more significant. Even in the woeful prequel […]
From Achilles to Hilary Benn: what Homer might have thought of the Syria air strikes debate
When David Cameron, the UK prime minister, stood up to speak before colleagues in the British parliament on Wednesday to argue in favour of air strikes on Syria, he was initiating a political activity – debate – that’s familiar to all democratic societies. He was also stepping into a role that stretches all the way […]
OU classicist recognised as “one of the leading Hellenists of her generation”
Laura Swift, lecturer in classical studies at The Open University, has been awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize for her research. This prestigious award is one of the highest honours in academic research and is awarded by The Leverhulme Trust to only 30 individuals each year across a range of academic disciplines. Dr Swift received the award […]
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