This module investigates some of the major challenges facing the world today. Packed with engaging teaching material, thought-provoking interactive tasks and engrossing examples, it explores how social science helps us understand and respond to the climate crisis, the legacies of colonialism and enslavement, and the challenges posed by digital technology. Whether you take it as your first or second module, it is designed with you in mind. You'll have lots of support and be introduced to or have a chance to recap basic study skills.
What you will study
We live in turbulent times. Amongst the many challenges we face, the climate crisis, digital technology and the legacies of colonialism and enslavement are raising far-reaching questions about how we live. Some of those questions are about everyday things, for example, is digital technology good or bad; are our lives environmentally sustainable? Others are much bigger, for instance, how have inequalities between the Global North and Global South come about, and are they just and fair? Social science has vital contributions to make to all of those debates. In this module, you'll explore how social science helps us understand these challenges and, just as importantly, how we can use social scientific knowledge to bring about change.
The module is divided into three blocks:
Block 1 introduces the global challenges the module addresses: the climate crisis, digital technology and the legacies of colonialism and enslavement. It begins with a two-week case study focusing on the smartphone and goes on to study each of the global challenges in turn. You'll investigate what social scientific knowledge is and how it helps make sense of the challenges, as well as being introduced to the three big themes that run through the module: the local and global; inequality and social justice; and knowledge and power.
Block 2 takes a closer look at the challenges. To do so, you'll study one of three 'strands' covering: geography, development and environmental studies; politics, philosophy, economics and international relations; or religious studies, sociology and general social science. On some qualifications, you will be able to choose a strand, but on most, you'll be directed to the one relevant to your studies.
Block 3 changes gear. Over ten weeks, you'll consider how social change occurs and assess how social science contributes to it. You'll also learn some of the practical skills involved in being an effective change-maker, equipping you to go out and make a difference in your locality, workplace and the wider world.
Throughout the module, you'll be introduced to a wide range of social scientific ideas and thinkers. The social scientists you'll study come from around the world and include experts in development studies, economics, environmental studies, geography, international relations, philosophy, political science, religious studies and sociology. You will also be introduced to activists, practitioners and policy makers who are responding to global challenges – everyone from India’s clean air campaigners, the Warrior Moms to Sander, a Hong Kong dissident and pro-democracy activist.
Finally, you'll think about how global challenges are debated. Which voices dominate the conversation, and who is left out? Why might we need new faces around the table? And when is social science part of the problem rather than the solution?
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this module. 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 OU level 2 study.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
What's included
You'll be provided with three textbooks and have access to a module website which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
module-specific teaching content
audio and video material
interactive activities
assignment information and assessment guide
online tutorials
access to the Open University Library.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying D113 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Global challenges: social science in action starts twice a year – in February and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2035.