Social Sciences

[Rincewind]

Long time no see. Starting an Open University course in Oct on the Social Sciences. Waiting for student loan to be approved. Just looking at  the assignment book is frightening. It covers and can lead to others things such as criminology cosmetology so not a meaningless degree as some think Good thing is I dont have to pay the loan back unless i get a job paying over 26k. Companies will be lining up to employ a 70 yr old or if i go further 75 tr old. :Seriously it is for my own satisfaction and acheiving something before Mr GR comes for me.

Also moving flats soon. Not far. Same street but its ground floor. Hoping thats sorted ot soon.

[Rincewind]

Psychology not the thing i put.

[Jattdogg]

Jesus he is alive! Good to see you are well. Enjoy learning,  can never be too old for that!

[Fox92]

Good to see you post again Rincey.

[StanSP]

Welcome back @Rincewind

[Mike Oxlong]

Well done Rincey. I think it’s great that you are doing some later life study and your chosen subject seems wide ranging and interesting. Just as a query did you ever consider enrolling in any courses to do with equine welfare ? 

[ozleicester]

Pleased to see you back on the horse Rincey

 

[Alf Bentley]

Good to hear from you, Ken.

 

As a bloke interested in society and politics, I'm sure this course will be right up your street. OU has a good reputation. Both my Dad and my old best mate did OU and enjoyed it.

 

No need to feel intimidated by expectations. I'm sure they'll give you plenty to do, but nothing you'll be unable to handle, assuming you're committed (which I do assume)......isn't it about 16 hours work per week they expect, unless you do more than one module simultaneously? If they give you a long book list - as unis tend to do - I'd be very selective and just read the most relevant or interesting books or chapters or pages.

 

Good luck with the move. Probably bump into you again in the King's some day, if I ever fall off the wagon! 

[Nick]

Hi Ken!

 

Good luck with the degree - you’ll enjoy it!

 

🙂

[UniFox21]

17 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

If they give you a long book list - as unis tend to do - I'd be very selective and just read the most relevant or interesting books or chapters or pages.

Also be aware of them recommending the latest editions, most of the time there is only small differences, and come at a big cost. 

 

As well, don't go out and purchase all the ones suggested, most people from my experience barely touch the textbooks they were recommended. You'll be surprised how many you can find online for free (admittedly older versions) or in your local library. Most Univeristy libraries allow people to request day visit passes etc, which is another way of avoiding big textbook costs. 

[Alf Bentley]

4 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

Also be aware of them recommending the latest editions, most of the time there is only small differences, and come at a big cost. 

 

As well, don't go out and purchase all the ones suggested, most people from my experience barely touch the textbooks they were recommended. You'll be surprised how many you can find online for free (admittedly older versions) or in your local library. Most Univeristy libraries allow people to request day visit passes etc, which is another way of avoiding big textbook costs. 

 

Good point.

 

There's also E-Bay and other online sources where cheap course books might be available.

 

Also worth making enquiries at Leicester Uni & De Montfort:

- I don't know if there's any option to get a visitor/guest card at a local university library as an OU student? Maybe not, but worth asking.

- Years ago, at the start of the academic year (Sept/Oct), students would often sell off books cheap from their previous academic year - either around freshers' fair type events or just ad hoc around main areas where students congregate. My info is about 25 years out of date, so might no longer happen or might have all gone online....but worth visiting the local unis and making a few enquiries.

- Some Unis might have second-hand bookshops, as well as full-price. Don't know about the Leicester Unis.

[UniFox21]

8 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Good point.

 

There's also E-Bay and other online sources where cheap course books might be available.

 

Also worth making enquiries at Leicester Uni & De Montfort:

- I don't know if there's any option to get a visitor/guest card at a local university library as an OU student? Maybe not, but worth asking.

- Years ago, at the start of the academic year (Sept/Oct), students would often sell off books cheap from their previous academic year - either around freshers' fair type events or just ad hoc around main areas where students congregate. My info is about 25 years out of date, so might no longer happen or might have all gone online....but worth visiting the local unis and making a few enquiries.

- Some Unis might have second-hand bookshops, as well as full-price. Don't know about the Leicester Unis.

This still happens, lot of people I know a fair few sold their books around graduation. Many of the University pages will link their second hand book shop or Student Facebook group's will advertise them. 

 

Definitely worth emailing those two you've named or a more local University. University libraries are hugely stocked and fairly nice places to work, so it's worth utilising them if possible.

 

Basically the main point is there are many ways to consider prior to buying the full price, latest edition books. Many lecturers use this to make money by promoting their own books as mandatory reading.

[Guest Fktf]

25 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

This still happens, lot of people I know a fair few sold their books around graduation. Many of the University pages will link their second hand book shop or Student Facebook group's will advertise them. 

 

Definitely worth emailing those two you've named or a more local University. University libraries are hugely stocked and fairly nice places to work, so it's worth utilising them if possible.

 

Basically the main point is there are many ways to consider prior to buying the full price, latest edition books. Many lecturers use this to make money by promoting their own books as mandatory reading.

Perhaps this differs between fields, but there's no money for it in behavioral sciences. By the time the publisher takes their cut, then the university, then the department, there's really very little left for the academic that wrote it - other than kudos. You certainly wouldn't look at the time it takes to write a textbook and think it was worthwhile in terms of the monetary payback. 

 

Doesn't detract from your point though - there's rarely any need to buy a textbook.

[Wymsey]

Who says studying is for youngsters?

 

Very best of luck with it, Rincewind.

[Rincewind]

In the first year they wamt you to keep yo 'in house' resources. There is a vast library for audio and ebooks. They want you to get into writing essays structure and presenting assignments correctly. Referencing from outside resources is frowned upon and may receive reprimands. You can meet others in online chatroom and discussion groups. This is part of why I am a littled annoyed on how my move is being handled. The housing officer has said that I have to be ready to move and do it in one day. I am with Virgin for a package that includes TV phone and internet. The new place is not set up so they have to install it. I keep asking when thry can do the work and get, dont worry about it we'll call them before' That is fine but they need notice and will not be able to work if people are carrying boxes and furniture around them. I also asked about electric/gas. 'Oh we'll just have it switched over' I pay by DD I do not know the providers or tariff.

The course does not start until Oct 3 but the module website opens Sept 10 where tutor contact details are given out and activities to ease you into it  are available like tutorials. Some free courses are available now and the delay is not helping. The tenants have to move out and and the HA atre providing some things like washer/dryer fridge plus it has to be decorated,

I'd better shut up Rant too long.

[ajthefox]

I don't know if it's the same with OU, but when I was studying I got a Sconul card so I could access UOL and DMU libraries when I was back at my parents from studying in Sheffield. Worth a look for sure Rincey, and welcome back of course.

 

https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

[ousefox]

It seems very odd that they would reprimand you for reading and referencing more widely...doesn't sound right to me!

[stripeyfox]

welcome back @Rincewind 

I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who are able and willing to help mate with any issues you have so don't be afraid to reach out and ask

 

Take care bud

 

 

[Jaspa]

10 hours ago, Rincewind said:

In the first year they wamt you to keep yo 'in house' resources. There is a vast library for audio and ebooks. They want you to get into writing essays structure and presenting assignments correctly. Referencing from outside resources is frowned upon and may receive reprimands. You can meet others in online chatroom and discussion groups. This is part of why I am a littled annoyed on how my move is being handled. The housing officer has said that I have to be ready to move and do it in one day. I am with Virgin for a package that includes TV phone and internet. The new place is not set up so they have to install it. I keep asking when thry can do the work and get, dont worry about it we'll call them before' That is fine but they need notice and will not be able to work if people are carrying boxes and furniture around them. I also asked about electric/gas. 'Oh we'll just have it switched over' I pay by DD I do not know the providers or tariff.

The course does not start until Oct 3 but the module website opens Sept 10 where tutor contact details are given out and activities to ease you into it  are available like tutorials. Some free courses are available now and the delay is not helping. The tenants have to move out and and the HA atre providing some things like washer/dryer fridge plus it has to be decorated,

I'd better shut up Rant too long.

 

With the internet situation it might be worth calling Virgin up and telling them you're moving home and that you'll need internet as you go, they'll likely send you a dongle which is a little usb device that can be plugged into your laptop/computer to receive internet wirelessly. If they're ars*y about it just suggest you could leave their service as you move and that you're 'looking at offers' just incase, which should make things move quicker.

 

Also cheers for posting this topic Rincy. Being a heinously underqualified fellow myself, from my experiences of catastrophically failing to stay on academical pursuits, and how not having a high quality marketable skill effects my professional opportunities and the knock on effects in my personal life from that, your efforts are and can be inspiration. Let us know how you get on mate, not every step but just pop up if you get the chance when you want to. Best of luck