Off Air Recording Scheme 2012 Scheme Recording Air Off PROGRAMMES PROGRAMMES colleges and universities to use in the classroom or library. or classroom the in use to universities and colleges schools, for programmes related course and Innovativepeak-time OFF AIR New for2012: The StoryofWales The Open University Licensed Off Air Recording Scheme
High quality programmes, including popular series not available on video/DVD. Record programmes from TV, make up to four additional copies for library or classroom and obtain copies of missed The Code programmes. With discounts on a huge back catalogue and an unprecedented number of prime time series, The Open University can help bring your teaching to life. The Off Air Licence entitles educational, health and training establishments to record Open University broadcasts throughout the year. Made in collaboration with the BBC, prime time programmes are now broadcast on BBC 1 and BBC 2, with an increasing number available on BBC 3 and 4. The Open University alerts licence holders to Open University programmes by e-mail and, in the event that you miss a programme, The Open University can usually Destination Titan provide a copy. The back catalogue also holds copies of programmes from The Learning Zone for previous years, including course specific series and popular programmes. Never miss a programme: for regular updates e-mail [email protected]
Primary and middle schools Annual licence: £28 plus VAT Secondary schools Annual licence: £78 plus VAT Further and Higher Education (including sixth form colleges and non-educational organisations): no licence Women in Religion fee. Pay each year only for the programmes you record and retain for use during that year, on a sliding scale of between £7 and £20 per programme, per year, depending upon the number you record. Missed Recordings Programme up to 30 minutes: £35 plus VAT Programme over 30 minutes: £50 plus VAT Course Related Programmes For 2012, a 20% discount applies to all course related Shock and Awe: The Story recordings of Electricity Programme up to 30 minutes: Discount price: £28 plus VAT Programme over 30 minutes: Discount price: £40 plus VAT Open University Worldwide
Off Air Recording Scheme Broadcast Booklet 2012
A guide to Open University television programmes The Open University Licensed Off Air Recording Scheme
Transmission Times Missed Recording Scheme Most Open University programmes are now Should a programme be missed for recording broadcast in peak viewing times. As such, The off-air, licensees can usually obtain a copy from Open University cannot guarantee transmission Open University Worldwide at a cost of £35 plus times in this booklet. For regular updates and VAT (for programmes up to 30 minutes long) or timely alerts, please ensure that Open University £50 plus VAT (for longer programmes). Worldwide has a current e-mail address for you by contacting [email protected]. Course Related Programmes The Open University holds a large back Open2.net meets OpenLearn catalogue of course specific programmes, For ten years, give or take, Open2.net was previously broadcast as part of The Learning the online home of Open University and BBC Zone. With a 20% discount on all titles for 2012, programming. Over the last few months, these are now available at £28 plus VAT (for Open2.net has been moving into OpenLearn, programmes up to 30 minutes long) or £40 plus creating one home for all The Open University’s VAT (for longer programmes). See pages 28 and free learning content. Open University/BBC 29 for a full listing of available programmes. programme content now shares a home with LearningSpace, the Open University’s iTunesU Operational Guidelines and YouTube channels, and much more besides. The operational guidelines contain essential The new website has lots on offer, including links information about recording, reporting and fees. to more content, specially commissioned essays, For a copy of the operational guidelines, please interviews, games, videos and more. You can contact [email protected]. also have a look at The Open University’s free For further information on the off-air recording courses in LearningSpace. To find out more, scheme or any of the programmes, please visit www.open.edu/openlearn. contact: Why charge? Shirley Battson As part of the Open University’s commitment Licence Scheme Administrator to learning, funding is placed with the BBC to Open University Worldwide create programmes that complement The Open Michael Young Building University’s core values and mission. This funding Walton Hall is wholly separate from the BBC’s licence fee Milton Keynes and supports the BBC in creating academically MK7 6AA relevant programmes. To help sustain The Open University’s investment in learning- Telephone: 01908 858766 focused programmes, The Open University Fax: 01908 858787 charges a fraction of this cost to educational E-mail: [email protected] establishments wanting to use the programmes [email protected] to enrich their teaching and resources.
Open University Learning Resources To download extra copies of this booklet, visit Open University books, DVDs, videos, study www.ouw.co.uk and click on Record TV. packs and CD ROMs to support learning and teaching are available from www.ouw.co.uk.
Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Index of Series
New Peak Time Viewing in 2012 Page 5
BBC1 The Story of Wales Empire
BBC2 Protecting Our Children Stargazing Women in Religion
BBC4 The Measure of All Things
…and more to be confirmed throughout the year. Make sure we have your current email address so that we can send you new programme alerts.
Extra Programmes from 2011 Page 8
Destination Titan Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words How to Build… Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
Peak Time Highlights from 2006-11 Page 9
Watch out for repeats. Peak time programmes are also available to licensees via the Missed Recording Scheme. Alternative Therapies The Art of Dying Bang Goes the Theory: Series One to Four The Barristers Berlin Business Nightmares Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? The Diagnosis Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life Chinese School Coast: Series Four Coast: Series Five The Code The Cosmos: A Beginner’s Guide Crime and Punishment Darwin’s Dangerous Idea
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] Destination Titan Discovering Tchaikovsky Electric Dreams Ever Wondered About Food Series Five Ever Wondered About Food: Series Four Explosions: How We Shook the World Eyewitness The Foods That Make Billions Fossil Detectives Frozen Planet The Gene Code Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words The Hidden Slave Trail The History of Christianity History Detectives History of Scotland: Parts One and Two How to Build… Indian School Inside the Medieval Mind In Their Own Words: 20th Century British Novelists James May’s Big Ideas James May’s 20th Century Jimmy Doherty in Darwin’s Garden Lenny’s Britain Made in Britain Meet the Immigrants Mental: A History of the Madhouse The Money Programme (three series) Nation on Film: Series Two Nobody’s Normal Paris Richard Wilson: Two Feet in the Grave Sacred Music Saving Britain’s Past Sectioned The Search for Life: The Drake Equation The Seven Ages of Britain Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity Silverville The Story of Maths Syrian School Theo’s Adventure Capitalists Town with Nicholas Crane The Virtual Revolution (was Digital Revolution) Featured Series: Made in Britain
Course Related Programmes Page 28 Index of programmes no longer available for broadcast, but available to licensees via the Missed Recording Scheme at a special 20% discounted price.
Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Peak Time Viewing for 2012 BBC 1 Please note: programmes not yet broadcast are subject to change.
Title Transmission The Story of Wales 6 x 60 mins January 2012 Beginning with a reconstruction of the earliest known human burial in Western Europe - the “Red Lady” of Paviland, this landmark series tells the story of Wales from pre-history to modern times. Its epic tale runs through Hywel Dda’s uniting Wales under one law, the Welsh at the heart of the Tudor court, through the immense pace of change in the country as coal mines and iron works flourished - with technological and educational innovations putting Wales ahead of the world in the Industrial Revolution - and right up to present day devolution. BBC News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards tells this compelling story of the nation, showing how influential Wales has been down the ages. In addition to the heroes and battles, the series reveals how so often, through the turbulent centuries, Wales has been at the cutting-edge of change and innovation.
Empire 5 x 60 mins February 2012 Jeremy Paxman tells the remarkable story of the British Empire, once the largest in history. This five-part series traces not only the Empire’s rise and fall, but explores the complex effects it had on the modern world – political, technological and social – and the effects of the Empire on Britain. Jeremy travels the globe in search of the extraordinary characters, burning ambitions and surprising principles which created an empire that has so influenced the shape of the world we see today. From India to Canada, the Far East to Africa, he finds out how the Empire began as a pirates’ treasure hunt and grew into the largest global financial network the world had ever seen; how the British created a particular idea of home wherever they conquered and settled; how Britain spread the gospel of sport, laying the foundations for almost all the major sports of today; and at the many different ways in which Britain took and held power in the Empire. Finally he asks: did the British Empire do any good?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] BBC 2 Please note: programmes not yet broadcast are subject to change.
Title Transmission Protecting Our Children 3 x 60 mins January 2012 Tragic cases such as Baby P and Victoria Climbié thrust the social work profession into the media spotlight, but few understand the complexities behind the work of child protection social workers. After years of negotiation with a City Council, NHS Trusts, Family Courts and the police, the BBC has unprecedented access to the social workers and their clients. BBC2 follows the child protection teams as they make life-changing decisions for one city’s children. For child protection social workers every case is different. They learn the rules about how to protect children but every individual family has a unique set of circumstances that require distinct responses. Each day social workers have to decide how to respond to everything from unexplained bruises to squalid flats, and handle complications involving drugs, homelessness, violence and alcohol. Yet amongst difficult and dangerous cases, there are glimmers of hope.
Stargazing 3 x 60 mins January 2012 Broadcasting live from the control room of the Jodrell Bank radio observatory in Cheshire, Dara O Briain and Professor Brian Cox take a journey of discovery through the night sky. Liz Bonnin will also report live from a key astronomical site in South Africa, investigating how the night sky changes around the world. The series will focus on key areas of astronomical interest, such as the Moon, the Milky Way, black holes, planets and exo-planets, and the search for life. Some of the leading observatories and telescopes in the world will image the night sky for the programme, delivering their results shortly before transmission to ensure up to date images. The highly interactive series will also encourage viewers to send in their questions and photograph the sky in the areas where visibility is best on the night.
Women in Religion 3 x 60 mins Feb/March 2012
Historian Bettany Hughes reveals the hidden history of women in religion, from powerful goddesses to feisty political operators and warrior empresses. Modern Western society usually assumes God is male and that religious leaders are men. Cutting edge scholarship and archaeological evidence throw new light on some of the hottest arguments about the role of women in religion. How did female deities get written out of the script? Hughes tells the stories of some of the most powerful, primeval female deities in history, such as the Greek earth mother Gaia, the goddess Cybele, worshipped in many countries, and Dugra, one of the most important figures in the Hindu pantheon. Looking at the role of women as mediators between humans and the divine, and the mortal women who went to war for their faith or helped to shape it, Hughes questions the conservative voices who argue that women should have no kind of priestly role in religious worship.
Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details BBC 4 Please note: programmes not yet broadcast are subject to change.
Title Transmission The Measure of All Things 3 x 60 mins December 2012 Does size really matter? An obsession with measurement has taken us from counting the hours on our knuckles to calculating moon landings. Packed with cutting-edge science, amusing anecdotes from history and jaw-dropping examples from the modern world, this series is the story of our journey from the ancient Egyptian cubit and sundials to time-lords and lasers. There are just seven international units of measurement: time, length, weights, brightness, current, temperature and moles (the measurement of atoms). In theory, they’re pretty straightforward, but when we get it wrong there can be big consequences, such as the loss of a multi-million dollar space probe. Some measurements we draw from the skies, like the length of days, but our body clock can go wildly wrong when we lose sight of the sun. This series investigates the next generation clocks aiming to be more accurate than the solar system, the mystery of absolute zero and the definitive kilogram kept in a vault deep underneath Paris, which no army dare invade.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] Extra Programmes from 2011
There were a few extra surprises during 2011! All the programmes below can be obtained through the Missed Recording Scheme, or watch out for repeats via www.open.edu/openlearn/whats-on/ou-on-the-bbc-week
Title Transmission Destination Titan 1 x 60 mins The Huygens probe was the most distant vessel to land anywhere in our solar system. Stunning images and data were sent back from Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The scientific instruments aboard the probe helped to paint a picture of an exotic new world, with methane seas, volcanoes and cliffs of ice. The first-ever pictures from Titan adorned the front pages of newspapers around the world, but the inside story of this extraordinary mission remains largely untold. Featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, this is the incredible story of the small team of scientists who were the first to ‘touch the surface’ of this mysterious moon.
Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words 3 x 60 mins The 20th century was the battleground for a war of ideas. Economists, scientists, psychologists and cultural experts smashed their way out of their ivory towers to engage with the day-to-day concerns of real life, sparking heated debates. Should market forces choose the best way to run the economy? Is nature or nurture the dominant factor in deciding who we are? Is culture becoming the replacement for religion? This series mines the BBC archive to hear the great minds of the 20th century in their own words, including Sigmund Freud, Germaine Greer, Sir David Attenborough, Benjamin Spock and Richard Dawkins. The film also reveals some unseen gems, such as the psychologist Carl Jung discussing his torturous relationship with Professor Freud.
How to Build… 3 x 60 mins With unprecedented access to some of the world’s most advanced engineers, this series goes inside our high performance technology. Three episodes probe the car bringing Formula One racing technology to our regular roads, the world’s biggest aircraft wing and the satellite that can send a live TV signal around the world in under a second. We meet the engineers who work in bunkers and ‘clean rooms’, developing precision components that work perfectly in icy cold and burning heat. Visiting secretive and specialised companies across the UK, this series discovers what it takes to create a satellite that can’t be brought back for repair, launch the world’s largest airliner and put record breaking driving technology into a road car.
Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity 3 x 60 mins The electrifying story of our quest to master nature’s most mysterious force. Until fairly recently, electricity was seen as a magical power, but it is now the lifeblood of the modern world. This three part series revisits the maverick geniuses who used electricity to light our cities, to communicate across the seas and air and to give us the digital revolution. How did they discover electricity’s curious link to life, unlock the secrets of magnetism and even tame lightning itself? Professor Jim Al-Khalili reveals how electricity underpins every aspect of technological advancement and supercharged the progress of science in every other field.
Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Peak Time Highlights from 2006-11
Look out for repeats: visit www.open.edu/openlearn/whats-on/ou-on-the-bbc-week and make sure we have your current email address.
Title Transmission Alternative Therapies 6 x 30 mins Some amazing claims are made for meditation, massage and hypnotherapy. Practitioners claim that they can be used not only in the treatment of angina, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, infertility and cerebral palsy, but that alternative therapies can make us happier, smarter and more compassionate. Professor Kathy Sykes travels the world to explore the history, the use and the evidence for alternative therapies. She examines the latest scientific research, including studies into the effects of meditation on the structure of the brain, and follows patients through their treatments. Can the conflicts with modern science be reconciled with the powerful testimonies of satisfied patients? The Art of Dying 1 x 60 mins This programme embarks on a moving journey to find out what can help when faced with the inevitability of death. We seek – and test – the solace to be found in faith, philosophy and, ultimately, in art. The series looks at representations of death through the ages – from Medieval tombs which reveal both belief in an afterlife, but also the warning of the Day of Judgement, to Van Dyck’s famously heartbreaking painting of a noblewoman on her deathbed, to contemporary artist Maggie Hambling who has painted the people she loves in death. We also trace the emotional resonance of death through the generations of a modern family, from the ways in which the recent dead are memorialised, to contemplating the unbearable grief of parents for their children. While nothing can explain death, art at least can mark it. So far it has largely memorialised it. Now art should make us personally face death. Bang Goes the Theory 10 x 30 mins An irreverent and fun magazine-style series looking at cutting edge science, with big stunts, team challenges and glimpses of the technology of the future. A small team of experts undertake hands on experiments relating to everything from amateur space travel to biology. The presenters try out the latest brain training games to discover whether they really improve your brain power, find out why thinking about money makes you feel hungry and follow the quests for artificial life on earth and unknown life out in space. The series also explores whether cows have an internal compass, how anyone can take part in the space race and whether the human brain can really cope with multitasking. Bang Goes the Theory: Series 2 8 x 30 mins Zoologist Liz goes behind the scenes of the real CSI to meet the scientists working with the police to solve crimes, Dallas hits the streets to find out what makes us happy, Jem spends a day as a crash test dummy and Yan discovers how 3D cinema works. Series Two also takes us down into a tank full of sharks, deep into an avalanche and through the doors of a chocolate factory that Willy Wonka would envy. Bang Goes the Theory: Series 6 x 30 mins An irreverent and fun magazine-style series puts science to the test. Through team challenges and big experiments, our experts investigate everything from predicting volcano eruptions to how to control oil wells. Series three explores whether wave power might be the answer to the energy crisis, traces how our eyes evolved, discovers whether probability can be made to work in our favour in Vegas and looks at the impact of an oil spill.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] Empire (see page 5) Bang Goes the Theory: Series 4 8 x 30 mins Bang Goes the Theory returns for a fourth season of cutting edge science and eye catching experiments. From exploring the world’s most advanced technological breakthroughs to learning how we can test and manipulate science in our own backyard, this series puts scientific theory to the test. Flight engineer Jem, biochemist Liz, science-mad Dallas and roving reporter Dr Yan take part in big stunts and team challenges, and get a glimpse of the technology of the future. The Barristers 6 x 40 mins The law influences what everyone does, but who influences and exercises the law? Amongst lawyers there is a powerful and influential group, including parliamentarians, judges and millionaires, known as Barristers. Many lawyers attempt to Take the Bar, but of the many thousands who attempt it each year, only a few will earn the right to argue cases in the highest courts, dressed in gown and wig. This series reveals a little known world, following aspiring barristers for a year through their triumphs and disappointments. Each must first gain admission to one of the mysterious ancient Inns of Court, then pay at least £10,000 to complete the Bar Vocational Course. This series focuses on Middle Temple, where Shakespeare first staged Twelfth Night, Elizabeth I dined with Sir Walter Raleigh on his return from the New World and Dan Brown based The Da Vinci Code. As they gain experience, pay increases from only £60 a day to potential earnings of over a million pounds a year for the elite Queen’s Counsel. Rising through the ranks, we see how aspiring barristers are recruited, educated and trained, what they do and how they tackle their professional dreams and fears. How will those who make it to the top influence our laws and future society? Berlin 3 x 60 mins In 2009, Berlin celebrated twenty years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s a city that has been home to some of history’s biggest influences, including Bertolt Brecht, Marlene Dietrich and Albert Einstein. This city, once a 13th century swamp, has seen everything from Nazi Imperialism to the first gay mayor, and has been known as both Europe’s spy capital and the home of commercial cinema. The Brandenburg Gate has witnessed the city’s upheavals, from damage during World War II to being stranded in no man’s land during the communist era. It now plays host to the two million clubbers who congregate each year for Berlin’s Love Parade. Berlin’s cheap rents have always appealed to emerging artists, whose work is now attracting the interest of leading edge modern artists. Business Nightmares 3 x 60 mins This is the story of some of the world’s biggest business disasters. From the spectacular unpopularity of “New Coke” to the detergent which destroyed clothes, this is the ultimate guide to what not to do in business. To make it big, companies need to take some risks, but what happens when the gamble does not pay off? This series goes behind the headlines to analyse what went wrong and why. What are the lessons to be learned from these self inflicted problems? How can businesses learn from their mistakes to bounce back and become stronger than ever? First hand accounts from company insiders reveal the damage done by products which should have never left the drawing board and ill-conceived advertising which offended loyal customers. Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? 3 x 60 mins Management guru Sir Gerry Robinson faces the toughest challenge of his career; he has six months and no additional money to reduce waiting lists at Rotherham General Hospital. As one of Britain’s leading businessmen, Gerry believes that good management can make any business perform well. Gerry is surprised to find several of the hospital’s theatres empty on a regular basis. Instead of the shortage of theatres he had expected, he finds that precious resources are underused throughout the week. Elsewhere, child health clinics are regularly starting late and a job freeze means there are not enough support staff in theatres. Early attempts to change the way things happen are frustrated by strained relations between the management and the consultants. Has Gerry bitten off more than he can chew?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 11 Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? The Diagnosis 1 x 60 mins Six months on from Gerry Robinson’s first visit to Rotherham General Hospital, the management guru revisits to find out what the impact was of his time there. The first series showed that minor changes to key areas and solutions generated by the staff themselves could make a real difference, but have they lasted? Gerry finds out what staff really thought of his diagnosis, whether the consultants and managers are still at odds with each other and whether waiting lists are still shrinking. Gerry hoped to help Rotherham General to find systems flexible and robust enough to cope with frequent programmes of change, but with government decisions that even the Chief Executive cannot reverse, can a hospital really be run like any other business?
Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life 1 x 60 mins David Attenborough offers a personal insight into Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, exploring why it is more important now than ever before. Celebrating 200 years since Darwin’s birth this programme introduces a theory we are in danger of taking for granted and looks at the evidence. Attenborough asks how and why Darwin came up with his theory and why scientists think he was right. We look at a dig in newly discovered fossil beds in China where a missing link between dinosaurs and birds has recently been discovered, and look at the evidence from the full range of natural sciences that suggests not only has evolution taken place, but the mechanisms and subtleties of its action are even more remarkable than Darwin predicted.
Chinese School 4 x 60 mins A unique insight into real life in China today, through the pressures, promises and problems of a nation on the rise. This series tells the stories of children facing huge pressure to perform well in exams, teachers whose success depends on results and parents who have given up everything to support their children’s education. How has the One Child Policy affected parental expectations, classmate relations and social values? China is balancing thousands of years of tradition and culture with a changing landscape of innovation, Western influences and economic growth. The series captures the victories, setbacks and day-to-day lives of ordinary children studying at three very different schools in the rural province of Anhui.
Coast: Series Four 8 x 60 mins Coast returns for a fourth series with fresh and untold stores from around the British shores and, for the first time, takes in the coastlines from Britain’s closest neighbours. This series investigates the phenomenon of prison ships, the rarely explored sea caves of Devon which can only be reached by cave diving, the storm that nearly starved a whole village and the problem of obsolete oil platforms. And we discover how the quest to accurately measure the coastline of Britain prompted the invention of a form of mathematics which eventually made possible innovations such as YouTube. We visit the picture postcard Victorian resorts of the London to Brighton coast, the South coast landing sites of Roman, Saxon and Norman invasions, Loch Ness, the Mersey ferry crossing and the eco-towns of the Wirral. Further afield, we visit the historic shoreline of Normandy and Norwegian islands and fjords.
12 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Coast: Series Five 8 x 60 mins Coast continues its journey, reflecting life around the British coast and the shores of its neighbours. We meet the swarms of jellyfish that invade the shoreline south of Dublin, sometimes forcing the closure of entire beaches, discover the lost towns and hundreds of wrecks under the East Anglian sea, explore Hull’s tidal barrier which protects 120,000 houses from a 100ft high tidal surge and visit the Isle of Anglesey, the focal point of the Druid’s last stand against the Romans. We visit Land’s End, the Southernmost tip of mainland Britain, the Lleyn Peninsula, the South-East coast of Ireland, the low-lying and dangerous peat fens of the Hull to Harwich stretch, the North Sea ports and the Inner Hebrides. And outside Britain, we visit Denmark and Brittany, known to the Celts as the Land of the Sea. The Code 3 x 60 mins Hidden in the world around us are mysterious symbols and bizarre numbers that hold the key to understanding the universe. Professor Marcus du Sautoy takes us on a gripping treasure hunt to uncover the codes that unlock the power of nature. Marcus visits a medieval cathedral with the secret numbers of creation built into its stones, sees the plague of insects which sweeps Alabama every 13 years, finds cubic crystals in caves beneath our feet and meets the detective using equations to hunt serial killers. The Cosmos: A Beginners Guide 6 x 30 mins The Cosmos: A Beginners Guide meets the people and projects pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe and asks some of the big questions about how the universe began, what is out there in space and whether we are alone in the universe. The Allen Telescope Array in Northern California is the first round the clock alien tracking facility, using the latest technology to find intelligent radio messages. Elsewhere, scientists on the island of La Palma are hunting for planets like Earth around distant stars, capable of supporting life. The series also looks at our interactions with the universe, including a proposal to make Mars more hospitable to humans by deliberately introducing a greenhouse effect and catching up with Voyager, the most distant man-made object in the universe. Crime and Punishment 2 x 60 mins From the use of physical pain to discipline children to the death penalty, punishment is one of the most contentious issues we face. Does corporal punishment instil moral fibre and self discipline or cause long- term psychological harm? Do we want to prevent re-offending or are we more interested in offenders getting what they deserve? Before prison became a punishment, those convicted of a crime could expect to suffer corporal punishment such as flogging, the stocks or the pillory, designed to combine public humiliation with physical pain. Capital punishment was once the punishment for over 200 offences, including stealing a sheep and shooting a rabbit, and children as young as eight were hanged. Execution has often been praised as a warning to others, but with the emergence of the police as a viable deterrent to crime, is it still necessary? The death penalty is still legal in 78 countries and over 2,000 people are executed every year.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 13 Darwin’s Dangerous Idea 3 x 60 mins Darwin’s theory of evolution and the principle of natural selection changed overnight the way we think about the world. It changed the role of religion, shaped society and economics and still causes controversy 150 years on. “On the Origin of Species”, Science’s first bestseller, was condemned by the Pope on publication, but was adopted by biologists quite quickly. Darwin’s belief that all life was somehow linked led to the discovery of DNA. It has influenced modern economics, psychology and even artificial intelligence, where computer algorithms compete and only the most successful survive. However, Darwin’s description of natural selection raised many ethical issues. It spawned racialism and, via Darwin’s cousin, eventually developed into Eugenics, which suggested that selected people should be prevented from breeding. Ultimately, it influenced Hitler and the Nazi party. Yet a new theory suggests that Darwin’s hatred of slavery drove him to prove that all humans are equal. Destination Titan 1 x 60 mins
For full details, see page 8.
Discovering Tchaikovsky 2 x 60 mins An exploration of Tchaikovsky’s music through two of his best known works, his first success and his last symphony. Conductor Charles Hazlewood works with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to understand the meaning and craft of each piece. Each programme includes a workshop and a 20 minute performance. “Romeo and Juliet” contains one of the world’s most famous love tunes and one of music’s fiercest battles, yet Tchaikovsky was only 29 when he wrote it. From the end of his 30 year career comes the 6th Symphony, the Pathetique, which redefined the notion of what a symphony could be. Charles Hazlewood examines the contrasts, imagination and drama of these two works to offer a real understanding of the purpose and vision of Tchaikovsky’s music. Electric Dreams 3 x 60 mins This living history series charts the impact of the technological revolution on family life. One modern family and their home are fast forwarded through the decades of the 70s, 80s and 90s to see first hand how technology has transformed our homes and the way we live in them. The family and their house are taken back to the digital dark ages of 1970, with daily deliveries of new consumer durables bringing them closer to the present. How will they cope without Facebook and Sky+? What will they substitute their time with? What joys will they find in slide-shows, Teasmades and early computer games? Will they bother with brick-like mobiles? Three informative, innovative and entertaining hours of television chart their technological progress as they are fast-forwarded through every new gadget and gizmo of the ensuing three decades. How will the family play, talk, relax and shop with only the technology of the 70s, 80s or 90s to help them? Ever Wondered About Food V 6 x 30 mins Chef Paul Merrett returns for a fifth series of the popular food series including recipes, facts and top tips for the perfect dish. This series covers six foods; tea, peppers, onions and garlic, milk, bananas and honey. How did tea evolve from a Buddhist ceremonial ritual to the popular “pick me up” it is today? Can honey kill super bacteria MRSA? Can a banana cure a hangover? Paul also explores the medicinal benefits of chillies, the technology which revolutionised the humble salad and why Cleopatra bathed in milk, looking at the science, the myths and the history behind some of our favourite foods. Ever Wondered About Food IV 6 x 30 mins When is a berry not a berry? Are nuts good or bad for you? What kind of fish will we be eating with our chips in the future? Chef Paul Merrett combines science and cookery as he explores the history of our favourite foods and shows how a little knowledge can make the perfect dish. Paul discovers how to satisfy a sweet tooth without losing your teeth, explores the history of the nut from King Solomon’s palace to deep space aboard the Apollo 14 and finds the secret behind sweet and sour. This series covers sugar, nuts, sausages, berries, fish and rice. Recipes include Zanzibar chicken, paella and golden sugar honeycomb.
14 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Explosions: How We Shook the World 1 x 60 mins In his career as an engineer, Bang Goes the Theory’s Jem Stansfield has certainly created a few explosions. But actually understanding them and controlling all that power – that’s a whole different story. From Chinese firecrackers used to scare away mysterious shape-shifting creatures to nuclear explosions, the principle is the same; a shockwave of pressure rippling through the air. Alfred Nobel was the genius behind modern explosions. He created dynamite and made his fortune with plastic explosive. Yet when a newspaper published Alfred’s obituary by mistake, naming him “The Merchant of Death”, he turned his legacy around by founding the Nobel prizes for sciences and peace. Jem has fun with some big bangs, discovering how buildings are demolished without destroying surrounding structures. Can he blow up a building without breaking the windows next door?
Eyewitness 3 x 60 mins Can your memory play tricks on you when you witness a violent crime? Eyewitnesses play a crucial role in solving crimes, yet 60% of wrongful convictions are estimated to be caused by mistaken eyewitness identification. Using full scale staged crimes and investigations to test the memories of ten ordinary members of the public, this series discovers how what someone sees for just a few seconds could be the key to solving a crime – or could send the wrong person to prison. Our real witnesses find themselves in the midst of a violent bar fight, then a masked robbery from a security vehicle, and even witness one member of the group (in reality an actor) becoming personally involved with the crime. How are the memories of our witnesses affected by comparing notes with each other, prejudices and stereotypes, alcohol, fear or guilt? Contains strong language.
The Foods That Make Billions 3 x 60 mins With exclusive access to some of the world’s largest food companies, this series tells the story of how big business feeds us. This is the inside story of how business turns three basic commodities into everyday necessities – cereals, yoghurt and bottled water. How did big business take basic foodstuffs out of our cupboards, repackage them and sell them back to us at a massive profit? These simple staples have become some of the richest and most successful industries in the world. This is the story of how vast fortunes are made and lost in the most cut-throat business of all. Hear the tale of how global brands such as Muller, Kelloggs and Evian entered our language and culture, and see the inside stories of how big business transformed the market. The companies exploit our growing concerns about our health and respond to our ever changing lifestyles. This revelatory business story goes beyond the boardroom to touch on health, culture, social change and marketing.
Fossil Detectives 8 x 30 mins What can plants and creatures immortalised in stone tell us about the history of Britain? Familiar parts of the country, such as the Devon coastline and the Midlands, were once a desert and a coral sea, and Wales was once partly a marshy swamp on the equator. This series visits the locations of key fossil finds to discover the history of the landscape and the creatures who lived there. What caused massive volcanic eruptions in parts of Wales and what were the consequences? What happened to the giant deer in Ireland? What does an enormous rock in a car park reveal about the land underneath? And who made some of the oldest footprints in the world?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 15 6 x 50 mins plus 10 shorts and Frozen Planet 1 x 60 mins With global warming affecting the Poles faster and more forcefully than anywhere on the planet, this series may be the last chance to see this great wilderness before it changes forever. Until now, the remoteness and extreme conditions of the Poles have meant that few humans have even glimpsed these dramatic landscapes or the charismatic animals that inhabit the Arctic and Antarctic. Frozen Planet will use the talent and techniques that delivered Planet Earth to record the Polar Regions as they have never been seen before. The series includes a look at how humans have adapted to the polar seasons with a combination of ancient wisdom and cutting edge science. The series concludes with an environmental special presented by Sir David Attenborough, who looks at what the future might hold for the animals and people that live at the Poles and what these changes might mean for the rest of us. The Gene Code 2 x 60 mins How (and how much) do our genes affect who we are? This two part series sets out to unravel the newest and most exciting scientific revelations in the world of genomics. Dr Adam Rutherford meets the top scientists in Britain, the USA and Asia to find out what their research is uncovering. What does DNA tell us about the differences and similarities between humans and other species? If DNA can tell us where we came from, can it tell us where we are going? This series examines for the first time how many diseases work at a genetic level and how we might combat them. Yet our new understanding of the genome presents us with more mysteries than it solves, as we struggle to understand the complex web of nature and nurture. Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words 3 x 60 mins
For full details, see page 8.
The Hidden Slave Trail 1 x 30 mins Philippa Gregory, author of A Respectable Trade, uncovered clues to a hidden slave trade in the North of England while researching her book. Commonly thought to be confined to southern ports, Philippa searches for proof of slavery in Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Lake District. This programme uncovers the histories of slaves hidden in cellars, put to work in quarry chain gangs and children left to die. The History of Christianity 6 x 60 mins This series explores the origins and true meaning of Christianity, the world’s largest religion. Six programmes uncover how different forms of the religion evolved over time and reveal how Baghdad nearly became the centre of Christianity, instead of Rome. How did anger and liberalisation lead to new forms of Christianity and how did some forms, including Catholic and Protestant, become world missionary forces? We look at the role religion has played in society and how it shapes the lives of both communities and individuals, whether they are believers or not. The series will conclude with a unique and distinctive western European phenomenon, where doubt about the Christian message and other religious systems is publicly expressed. Many people are choosing a less ambitious version of paradise on earth without the sacred stories. History Detectives 6 x 30 mins Treasured objects hold secrets from the past; a team of historians uncover the different stories behind them. From a medieval bottle designed to ward off evil to the severed skull of a hated taxman, this series answers viewers’ questions about the strange objects in their homes or communities. Investigations include a brass nameplate which reveals an unsolved murder in the owner’s home, a notebook bound in ratskin that points to the first concentration camp in Germany and the scrap metal that was once part of a “decoy town”. The series includes tips and advice on how to apply the research techniques to viewer’s own possessions from the past.
16 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details A History of Scotland: Part One 5 x 60 mins The dramatic story of Scotland and how it shaped Great Britain. The first half of the series charts the transformation of the Dark Age Kingdom of the Picts from the chaos of the Norse, Gaelic and Anglo- Saxon invasions into the Gaelic kingdom of Alba. Scotland’s mythology is packed with legends and heroic characters, but the real story of Scotland is every bit as thrilling. For centuries the mountains and lochs were home to a loose collection of tribes, who came to build a kingdom with its own distinct culture and identity. Yet these tattooed and jewelled fighters, named by the Romans as the Picts, mysteriously disappeared at the exact moment when the kingdom of Scotland was born. As Scotland’s identity develops, we meet some of its famous names. For some William Wallace is the ultimate freedom fighter, for others a terrorist. Wallace was a brilliant fighter, but could he be a leader? And on a little island in the middle of Loch Leven, the 24 year old Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was held prisoner by a small group of powerful nobles who were intent on stripping the queen of her crown. Descended from both the English and Scottish kings, Mary had the potential to unite these warring countries, but the nobles held a radically different vision of the nation’s future. A History of Scotland: Part Two 5 x 60 mins The dramatic story of Scotland and how it shaped Great Britain. Following the history of the transformation of Scotland from the Dark Age Kingdom of the Picts into the Gaelic kingdom of Alba, charted in the first part of the series, this second part explores Scotland’s relationship with its neighbours. We find out how the idea of Britain nearly collapsed during the religious revolutions of the 17th century and how, when the Empire collapsed through war and economic crisis in the first half of the 20th century, the idea of breaking the union was discussed for the first time in over 250 years. Scottish identity returned in a new vision of Scotland run by a parliament. Each episode draws parallels between past and present, challenging the perceived notions of Scottish history and overturning the traditional view of Scotland. How to Build… 3 x 60 mins
For full details, see page 8.
In Their Own Words: 20th Century British Novelists 3 x 60 mins This is the story of the 20th century novel, told by the authors themselves. Great novelists talking candidly about their life and work include Arthur Conan Doyle, HG Wells and EM Forster through to Salman Rushdie, Jeanette Winterson, Martin Amis, Kazuo Ishiguro and Hilary Mantel. This series includes the only recording of Virginia Woolf in existence, William Golding explaining Lord of the Flies to a room of young school pupils and JG Ballard, author of the controversial Crash, celebrating the beauty of the motorcar. J R R Tolkien explains his obsession with plot and Ian Fleming offers insights into why the James Bond novels became pivotal in 1960s Cool Britannia. Three episodes tell the story of Modernism, how working-class writers and subjects came to dominate the novel and how minority voices enriched fiction through Post-Colonial and Feminist writing. Indian School 10 x 30 mins Indian School gives a fresh perspective on India, bringing everyday life in the “real India” to the screen. While the two schools featured face the same issues of exam stress, playground relationships and discipline as any other school, they also have their own challenges and benefits. The IT teacher is able to calm disruptive pupils using meditation, the school counsellor considers the pros and cons of an arranged marriage for herself and dance classes struggle to maintain the difference between traditional Indian dances and westernised Bollywood moves. The series also touches on wider issues as they affect the classroom, including Hindu and Muslim festivals, the effect of globalisation on India’s national identity and the boom in technology.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 17 Inside the Medieval Mind 4 x 60 mins Professor Robert Bartlett, one of the world’s leading medievalists, explores medieval hearts and minds to find out what really motivated our ancestors. Examining power, beliefs, family and knowledge, this series looks at the similarities and differences with modern life. The structures of society, the power of the church and the importance of the family dominated medieval life. Why did people believe in demons? How quickly did children have to grow up? Did the concept of courtly love help or hinder women? Professor Bartlett visits archaeological digs, historic monuments and scientific laboratories to discover the hopes, fears and passions of the medieval world and discovers some of the innovations which relieved the pressure of working lives.
James May’s Big Ideas 3 x 60 mins Technology already helps us to do things more efficiently, but how far can it go? Can technology take us into the realms of science fiction, with flying cars, robotic workers who look like humans and limitless energy? Motoring journalist James May meets the scientists and designers trying to turn fantasy into reality. No significant new forms of transport have been developed since the early 20th century; is there a bolder, better way of getting from A to B? If we ever get ideas like the flying car right, could drivers handle vertical take-off and navigate safely through the skies? In Japan, a robotics expert is looking for ways for people to be in two places at once, thanks to a humanoid robotic double. In the quest for new forms of energy we consider how a car might run on thin air and look 20 km above the surface of the Earth for a truly out of this world solution.
James May’s 20th Century 6 x 30 mins Motoring journalist James May discovers how inventors and their inventions changed the way we live our lives in the 20th century, from the creation of the teenager to modern warfare. New tools and technology took us into space, took our cities both up into the sky and down into the earth and brought the world closer together. The teenager of today would not have evolved without the invention of the radio, fashionable synthetic materials and the electric guitar. James May explores how the wealth of invention of one century revolutionised the individual and society, from cars and skyscrapers to medical innovations and the mapping of DNA.
Jimmy Doherty in Darwin’s Garden 3 x 60 mins Charles Darwin returned from his five year expedition aboard The Beagle with some revolutionary and controversial ideas about the diversity of the world’s flora and fauna. However, before he could begin work on one of the most influential scientific publications of all time, “On the Origin of Species”, Darwin needed to expand his early hunches into a fully formed theory of evolution through a series of ingenious experiments. Jimmy Doherty, farmer and entomologist, follows Darwin’s intellectual journey, recreating his ground breaking experiments. Working from Darwin’s detailed notes, Jimmy looks at in-breeding in plants and the mechanics of natural selection. Jimmy also pursues some of Darwin’s more unusual experiments, including feeding his urine to insect eating plants, throwing a snake into a monkey enclosure at a zoo, and playing a bassoon to an earthworm.
18 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Lenny’s Britain 4 x 60 mins Lenny Henry has travelled the length and breadth of Britain making people laugh, but now he takes a journey with a difference; why do people laugh, is it different in different places and what does our humour say about us? How does humour function in our lives and relationships beyond the immediate laugh? Lenny asks whether humour divides or unites us and looks at how humour operates differently in the family, the workplace and in the community. A touring Joke Booth collects local tellings of well known and regional jokes, and Lenny brings together his findings in his own stand up show at the end of each programme.
Made in Britain 3 x 60 mins For years, Britain has been gripped by a powerful and corrosive myth: that its days as an industrial nation are over. But the truth is very different. Britain today is still a major manufacturing power, the sixth biggest in the world: and from heavy industry to hi-tech innovation, the British economy is far more diverse than even some of its own business leaders have come to believe. Presenter Evan Davis discovers a world of thousands of healthy and lean companies turning out an extraordinary range of high quality products. He investigates which parts of the economy are really important (and which just seem to be), why Britain believes its industrial days are over and how a mixed economy can shield us from the volatility of financial services.
Meet the Immigrants 6 x 30 mins Immigration is a hot political issue. Over the last two years, 1.5 million people have moved to the UK in search of work. Half of them are economic migrants from the new EU states of Eastern Europe, often referred to as “accession workers”. This series unpicks the stereotypes surrounding immigrants to find out what jobs they really do, who they are and what the impact of immigration is. Migrants now make up 1 in 3 doctors and 1 in 8 nurses and teachers, yet there are also many who work for the minimum wage in unpopular jobs, knowing that what they can send home to their families will be worth a fortune there. Meet the Immigrants meets the people queuing to enter the UK and those who are ready to go, discovering what life is really like as an economic migrant.
Mental: A History of the Madhouse 1 x 60 mins One person in four experiences a mental health issue at some point in their life. Even more are touched by its impact on friends or family. Campaigners complain that society still has a long way to go to understand and accept mental illness properly. But things have come a long way since the days when “madness” was still one of the great social taboos. The imposing asylums built by the Victorians to keep “out of sight” those deemed “out of mind,” were packed with patients by the early 1950s. For many, life inside was terrifying: brutal shock treatments and Dr Frankenstein-style brain surgery were administered without choice and sometimes anaesthetic. Yet for some they were still a vital sanctuary from an unforgiving world. In the twenty-first century, the treatment of mental illness outside hospital walls is now the norm. This documentary charts the scientific breakthroughs, pivotal legislation and social struggles that revolutionised diagnoses, treatments and social attitudes.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 19 The Money Programme (originally broadcast Summer 08) 6 x 30 mins and 1 x 60 mins Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to found Microsoft and was the richest man in the world for over a decade. Now he’s about to give away $30 billion through his foundation dedicated to ridding the world of diseases like malaria and TB. Yet Microsoft was once accused of operating an anticompetitive monopoly, was sued by the American Government and faced the threat of being broken up altogether. Microsoft has overcome some serious challenges in the past, including the unforeseen success of the internet and big rival companies. However, with the company still to make its mark in the world of search engines, how will the departure of its founder affect Microsoft? And with Bill Gates’ legendary drive and commitment, will software development prove just a footnote to a new career as a philanthropist? This series also includes the effect of the credit crunch on the housing market and the companies who benefit from an economic slowdown.
The Money Programme (originally broadcast Oct 2007) 9 x 30 mins The Money Programme continues its investigations into the world of big business. The buy-to-let boom has created many personal fortunes, but how long will it last and what is the overall impact on the market? Mortgage lending may have contributed to the first run on a bank in over a century at Northern Rock, and all banks have been hit hard by a consumer campaign to reclaim penalty charges. The number of people registering patents in the UK is at its highest ever, but how do you go about turning an idea into real cash? The Money Programme meets the New Rich who have made their fortune and explores the industries specifically designed for superstar pay packets. And fortunes continue to grow on the internet, where Facebook is the newest social networking site, but how many millions of working hours are wasted on this website?
The Money Programme (originally broadcast Feb 2007) 8 x 30 mins The flagship business affairs programme conducts hard hitting investigations into the world of business and finance. This series looks at a range of issues affecting big business and consumers, including convenience and “clever” foods, brands struggling with their reputation and the revolution in house sales. This series also looks at the scandal over airline price fixing, the real cost of divorce, bank charges and the increasing number of people making their living through auction website eBay. The Money Programme continues to conduct in depth investigations into the issues that really matter.
Nation on Film 2 6 x 30 mins A journey through lives on film, from amateur home movies to professional productions, looking at the passions that inspired people. Classic cars and aeroplanes evolve throughout the decades, from a luxury to an everyday sight on the television. Wildlife films begin with the startling 9 foot image of a spider in 1901, and further revelations are made possible by developing technology. Football filming is revolutionised by a government announcement and footage of boarding schools highlight their philosophy and practice.
Nobody’s Normal 5 x 45 mins Parenting a disabled child involves many emotional and ethical questions. Five documentaries tell the stories of key stages in family life, from the decision to continue a pregnancy or the discovery of a disability during a traumatic or premature birth, to issues of independence as the child becomes a teenager and the parents later require care of their own. The films follow several families as they make crucial decisions about specialist schooling versus mainstream education, how to manage a social life and adult loving relationships, and independent living. The series highlights some of the key issues faced by those with disabilities, their families and their carers through funny, touching or challenging real life stories.
20 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Paris 3 x 60 mins Travel through 400 years of history in search of the extraordinary events and people which have shaped Paris. Revealing the art, literature, music and architecture that defines the city, this three part series explores the city’s history and character; from the court of the Sun King to the bohemian artists of Montmartre. The history of Paris takes in the French Revolution, the Enlightenment and the Jazz age, shaping a city of creativity and freedom of spirit. Contemporary Parisian life draws musicians, writers and artists to the most romantic city in the world.
Richard Wilson: Two Feet in the Grave 1 x 60 mins Richard Wilson explores why we’re so afraid of death, arguing that it’s our mortality that makes life so precious. This programme investigates the processes, traditions and taboos to discover if there’s a better way to approach the end of life in twenty-first-century Britain than simply ignoring it. Infused with Richard’s inimitable humour and warmth, the programme attempts to “de-terrorise death” by finding out what happens to us when we are facing death, the choices we have and the very different ways people deal with death and grief. Richard reviews Victorian rituals around death including visiting cemeteries for a picnic next to a loved one’s grave, and explores how ritual is still important today – with roadside shrines and memorial websites filling the gap generated by an increasingly secular society. He visits cultures which are more comfortable around death than the British and meets the army of people whose jobs bring them into daily contact with dead bodies, from funeral directors to pathologists and from embalmers to post- mortem photographers.
Sacred Music 5 x 60 mins A rich visual and musical journey through 600 years of sacred music. The series begins at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and travels to Paris, Rome and Leipzig, charting the political, social and musical developments of the time. Turning points in the history of music include the birth of polyphonic or “many-voiced” music alongside the construction of the great Gothic cathedral of Notre- Dame, the Italian Renaissance, how Henry VIII’s break with the Roman Catholic Church created dilemmas of faith and music for his chief composers and how Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation prompted a musical revolution for Johann Sebastian Bach. Key pieces are performed by conductor Harry Christophers and his world famous choir, The Sixteen, in some of Europe’s most beautiful locations.
Saving Britain’s Past 7 x 30 mins As we build new shops and schools, and people try to make a living, how much of the past can we preserve? Old buildings are often beautiful and are a part of our history, but they can be expensive to keep, difficult to repair and may not suit modern uses. How do local communities, planners and heritage organisations negotiate what we keep and what we lose? Seven programmes explore the debates and controversies around our buildings, including the quick decisions made during the aftermath of World War Two bombs about which buildings should be propped up for repair and which ones demolished, whether we really want to preserve significant but “ugly” buildings, the changing use of buildings in multicultural Brick Lane, and the rotting state of thousands of great country houses.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 21 The Search for Life: The Drake Equation 1 x 60 mins We look up at the night sky and see millions of stars and galaxies, but is there anyone looking back? Fifty years ago, astronomer Professor Frank Drake took a handful of guesses and turned them into proper science. Bang Goes the Theory’s Dallas Campbell meets the man who made the search for aliens respectable. Drake used probability to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations there might be in the galaxy. His conservative figures suggest that there are up to one hundred million planets with intelligent life in our galaxy alone. Drake’s search became formalized into SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence in Northern California. Scientists hunt for alien intelligence through radio waves, hoping to find a radio footprint or perhaps a beacon announcing themselves to the whole universe. Yet 50 years later, where is everybody? Sectioned 1 x 60 mins In this programme, which will be of interest to educational and specialist health audiences, Maverick has secured exclusive and unprecedented access to film with the service users and staff of one of Britain’s largest NHS mental-health trusts, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust. Sanity charts the experiences of a small group of people in Nottinghamshire as they strive to overcome mental illness. It is an intimate insight into the lives of individuals suffering mental distress, and into the challenges faced by the people who care for them – family members, mental-health professionals, voluntary-sector workers and GPs. Seven Ages of Britain 7 x 60 mins Written history can be edited over time to reflect new understandings and different biases. This series explores the history of Britain through the objects it produced; the painted images, monuments, books and tools that have their own story to tell. David Dimbleby travels the length and breadth of Britain to see if history’s created artefacts can offer a more reliable account of the development of the country. What does King Arthur’s Round Table in Winchester Castle tell us about the Middle Ages and do Henry VIII’s love letters show a different side to his six marriages? Both famous and everyday objects tell us more about our social and cultural history. Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity 3 x 60 mins For full details, see page 8. Silverville 6 x 30 mins Society is getting older; there are now more pensioners than children. What does old age hold for us and how can we make the most of it? This series tells the stories of the residents of a protected and managed community for people over 55, a retirement village that is home to over 350 residents. Half of the community’s residents are couples, but many are looking for a new companion. Yet with four times more women than men and the memories of lost partners still fresh, what are the chances of love in later life? A third of the places at Lovat Fields are funded by the government and offered to people who are reliant on the state pension or whose pensions were linked to a lost spouse. Are there tensions between those who saved for their retirement and those in funded places? The Story of Maths 4 x 60 mins Without mathematics, there would be no architecture, no commerce, no time and no chemistry. Ancient Babylonian mathematicians developed a base 60 system of counting, which gives us 60 minutes in an hour, and the Greeks gave birth to the concept of mathematical proof, Pythagoras’s Theorem and the harmonic series, the basis of all music. Mathematics continues to make new discoveries. In the last century, Georg Cantor wrestled with the different kinds of infinity, and Henri Poincare, calculating what will happen to the universe, spotted a mistake in his own notes that revealed Chaos Theory. In 1900, French mathematician David Hilbert identified the 23 most important unsolved mysteries facing mathematics, 15 of which have now been fully or partly solved. Yet Austrian mathematician Kurt Godel, trying to solve Hilbert’s mysteries, may have inadvertently proved the existence of unsolvable problems.
22 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Syrian School 5 x 60 mins This series looks at a school system on the brink of revolution through the eyes of its schoolchildren. Despite rarely finding itself out of the headlines, the Middle East is frequently misunderstood and associated most commonly with war and oil. Syrian School meets the human face of a fast growing young population, whose government is modernising the education system to encourage a generation of children to think for themselves. To keep up with the globalised economy, the government has reversed a ban on popular websites and is actively promoting the use of technology with an ambitious programme to equip schools with new computer labs. But can all children access a computer and do their parents understand what they are learning? And with families fleeing violence in neighbouring countries, can Syria’s already overcrowded schools cope with the increasing number of children?
Theo’s Adventure Capitalists 3 x 60 mins Now more than ever, entrepreneurs need to find and exploit new export markets. The world’s emerging markets such as Brazil, India and Vietnam are where the growth is and that’s where Theo’s Adventure Capitalists are heading. In these three documentaries, Theo Paphitis, star of Dragon’s Den and one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, follows the progress of nine companies who are taking the bold step of breaking into these vibrant and growing economies. With them every step of the way, Theo – no stranger to telling it like it is – finds out just what it takes to head off into the unknown with the fate and future of a company in your hands.
Town with Nicholas Crane 4 x 60 mins Where do people choose to make their homes and why? The landscape is key to a successful town, requiring vital elements such as a river, hill and enough farming land to feed a growing population. Stunning aerials and enhanced 3D graphics uncover how modern towns have been shaped by the landscape and the people who live there. Neither a busting metropolis nor a rural idyll, towns have evolved an identity of their own. The buildings we construct can reveal the history and psychology of our society, from churches to city walls and market squares. How does society repair itself and adapt to the changing functions of towns over time? This series traces the complex geography, great histories and beautiful scenery of towns, finding the hidden details of their many lives.
The Virtual Revolution 4 x 60 mins For better and for worse, how is the internet transforming everything from how we learn to how we shop, vote and make friends? This BAFTA award winning series brings together everyone who’s anyone on the web - from its inventor Tim Berners-Lee to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and online giants Al Gore and Bill Gates. Investigating online sensations such as Google, Amazon, Twitter, Wikipedia and YouTube, this series discovers how big companies make money from a free space, what is happening to our ideas of privacy and ownership, and how social networking is affecting our psychology. Through stories of how the web is being used and abused today, this series explores the revolutionary benefits and uncovers the hidden costs of the web’s culture of global, instant and free information.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 23 24 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Featured Series: Made in Britain 3 x 60 mins
Available to licensees via the Missed Recording Scheme
Episode One
Who says we don’t make anything any more? In the first of a three-part series on how Britain pays its way in the world, Evan Davis busts the myths that we were wrong to let so much of our manufacturing go abroad, and that we have become a nation of shopkeepers, bankers and estate agents.
As he flies in the world’s most revolutionary jet and drives one of the world’s fastest supercars, he discovers Britain still makes a lot it can be proud of. But after the economic crash, he asks whether it is enough to meet the country’s bills.
Episode Two
How can Britain stay ahead of its competitors in the global economy? In the second part of his investigation into what we do and make in Britain, Evan argues it’s right for Britain to concentrate on excelling in the knowledge economy.
Industries such as pharmaceuticals and technology, which rely on innovation, creativity and invention, can contribute greatly to the nation’s bank balance. Evan travels to Silicon Fen outside Cambridge to see the high-tech company worth billions after designing chips for mobile phones, and tells the story of how one invention transformed the fortunes of glass makers Pilkington. He also visits China to investigate how British branding and marketing expertise is faring in this new and booming market.
Episode Three
Evan looks at the explosive growth of Britain’s services economy in the third and final part of the series. Modern Britain has undergone a remarkable change in recent years: shifting from manufacturing to services. But is this good or bad news?
Evan travels to Dubai to explore how our service expertise has been successfully exported around the world and, back home, sees how British services make a fortune by attracting wealthy customers to the UK. Evan shows how architects, communication specialists, universities and even estate agents together contribute billions of pounds to the economy.
But can we entirely rely on services to help us pay our way in the world? And what have been the social consequences of our great services experiment?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 25 Press Reviews
Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
Packing an immense amount of history into an hour-long show, Jim Al-Khalili brings the story up to date in the final part of this fascinating series. “ ” The Guardian, 20 October 2011 Professor Jim Al-Khalili flits from gothic cloister to Victorian laboratory, introducing us to more of the minds and experiments behind our electric modern world, thankfully without soft focus actors, flickering candles or slow motion filler... engaging TV. “ ” Time Out, 20 October 2011
Great Thinkers: In Their Own Words
a fascinating series... impressively researched... Among the highlights are a radio broadcast by Freud in 1938, Jung discussing “individual evil” and Stanley Milgram’s experiments on wickedness in the structure of society. “ ” The Telegraph, 28 July 2011
(a) fine opening episode about what makes humans human “ ” The Guardian, 07 August 2011 The Code
The Code was engaging, sometimes wondrous and at all times visually stimulating. “ The Telegraph,” 27 July 2011 a brain-tickling new series... du Sautoy is a reassuring guide who never patronises his audience, but never vaults ahead of them either... accessible even to a number numbskull. “ The” Scotsman, 25 July 2011
26 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Bang Goes the Theory: Series 4
As always, Bang Goes the Theory is well made, providing detailed scientific information in an accessible manner. It has managed, unlike other science shows, to give a clear example without being patronising. “ ” BioNews, 12 September 2011 Can you create a science programme suitable for family viewing that is exciting and inspirational? Bang Goes the Theory has a pretty good stab at it. “ The” Guardian, 22 March 2010 (refers to series 3) Made in Britain
In Made in Britain, Evan Davis continued his perceptive and enlightening study of the nation’s economic health… hats off to Davis for injecting fun into the proceedings. “ ”The Independent, 28 June 2011 The Story of Maths
(An) excellent series “ ” The Times, 27 October 2009 The first television series on the subject in living memory. “ ” The Times, 11 January 2009 The Virtual Revolution
This series is admirably clear in its explanations, and nicely succinct about the larger implications of what has been explained. It’s also got really good interviews. Alex Krotoski is a smart cookie – in the non-internet sense of the word – and effectively restores a sense of wonder to “something most of us have learnt to take for granted with extraordinary speed. The Independent,” 15 February 2010
The contributors struck a nice balance between big name cheerleaders (Bill Gates, Tim Berners-Lee) and glowering dissenters (Andrew Keen is always entertainingly downbeat), while presenter Aleks Krotoski was convincingly authoritative. “ ” The Guardian, 31 January 2010
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 27 Course Related Programmes
Index of courses no longer available for broadcast during The Learning Zone but available to Licensees via the Missed Recording Scheme at the special 20% discounted rate. (N.B. F/HE and non-educational establishments need to declare Missed Recordings in the usual way) COURSE TITLE PAGE Arts A103 An Introduction to the Humanities - an Arts Foundation Course 31 A206 The Enlightenment 33 A210 Approaching Literature: Authors, Readers, Texts 33 A214 Understanding Music: Elements, Techniques, Styles 34 A216 Art and its Histories: Institutions, Artists and Avant-Gardes 34 A221 State, Economy and Nation in 19th Century Europe 35 A316 Modern Art: Practices and Debates 35 A354 Art, Society and Religion in Siena, Florence and Padua, 1450-1600 36 AA300 Europe: Culture and Identities in a Contested Continent 37 AA302 From Composition to Performance: Musicians at Work 37 AA314 Studies in Music, 1750 - 2000 37 AD317 Religion in the Modern World 38 Business B200 Understanding Business Behaviour 38 B820 Strategy 38 B822 Creativity, Innovation and Change 38 Social Sciences D214 The United States in the 20th Century 39 D215 The Shape of the World 39 D216 Economics and Changing Economies 41 D218 Social Policy: Welfare, Power and Diversity 41 D311 Family Life and Social Policy 42 D316 Democracy - From Classical Times to the Present 42 D317 Social Psychology 43 D318 Culture, Media and Identities 43 D319 Understanding Economic Behaviour 44 DD100 Understanding Social Change: an Introduction to the Social Sciences 44 DD200 Governing Europe 44 DD201 Sociology and Society 45 DD302 Pacific Studies 45 DD304 Understanding Cities 46 DU310 Environmental Policy in an International Context 46 DXR220 Social Science in Action 46 Education E242 Learning for All 47 ED209 Child Development 47 EU208 Exploring Educational Issues 49 Health and Social Welfare K100 Working for Health and Social Welfare 49 K203 Working for Health 50
28 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details K260 Death and Dying 50 K301 Promoting Health 50 Languages L130 Auftakt: Get Ahead in German 50 L140 En Rumbo: A Fresh Start in Spanish 50 L210 Mises au Point 51 Maths and Computing M203 Introduction to Pure Mathematics 51 M206 Computing: An Object-Oriented Approach 51 M246 Elements of Statistics 52 M248 Statistics in the 20th Century 52 M336 Groups and Geometry 53 MA290 Topics in the History of Mathematics 53 MDST242 Statistics in Society 54 MST207 Mathematical Methods, Models and Modelling 54 MS221 Exploring Mathematics 54 MST121 Using Mathematics 54 MU120 Open Mathematics 54 Science S103 Discovering Science 55 S195 Short Course – Genome 56 S204 Biology: Uniformity and Diversity 56 S205 Chemistry 57 S207 The Physical World 57 S268 Physical Resources and the Environment 57 S269 Earth and Life 58 S280 Science Matters 58 S281 Astronomy and Planetary Science 59 S292 Explaining the Emergence of Humans 59 S320 Infectious Diseases 59 S324 Animal Physiology 60 S328 Ecology 60 S330 Oceanography 61 S342 Physical Chemistry: Principles of Chemical Change 61 S343 Inorganic Chemistry 61 S365 Evolution 61 SD805 Brain and Behaviour 62 SK220 Human Biology and Health 62 ST240 Our Chemical Environment 62 Technology T173 Engineering the Future 63 T203 Materials: Engineering and Science 63 T209 Information and Communication Technologies 63 T235 Engineering Mechanics: Solids 64 T302 Innovation: Design, Environment and Strategy 64 T305 Digital Communications 64 University U205 Health and Disease Science 65 U206 Environment 67 U210 The English Language 67
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 29 Town with Nicholas Crane (see page 23) Arts A103 - An Introduction to the Humanities These programmes introduce each of the eight disciplines – art history, literature, music, philosophy, classical studies, history, religious studies and history of science – and elaborate on them with interdisciplinary case studies. Prog no. Title 1 Framing and Forming ** Revealing the secret meanings in abstract art through Jackson Pollock’s painting ‘Summertime’. 2 The Sonnet Used by Dante, Shakespeare and Wordsworth, this 600-year-old verse’s form and its enduring popularity are explored and explained. 3 Music to the Ear Taking a popular Beatles song apart to reveal the basic elements of music. 4 Philosophy in Action: Debates about Boxing Should boxing be banned? Barry McGuigan and Lord Hattersley join a panel who share their views on this controversial subject. 5 The Emperor’s Gift ** Exploring the origins of one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions, the Colosseum in Rome. 6 Wembley Stadium: Venue of Legends An architectural history of the stadium with the world famous twin towers. 7 Passing Judgements ** Exploring today’s view of the Roman Games as bloodthirsty and voyeuristic, with a look at their importance in Roman society. 8 The British Family: Sources and Myths ** From a Roman tombstone to a 20th century movie, how valuable is historical evidence in the study of the family 9 The French Revolution: Impact and Sources ** Historical evidence helps paint a vivid picture of events leading up to, during and after the Revolution. 10 Rousseau in Africa: Democracy in the Making ** Finding out how recent events in South Africa reflect philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau’s theories on human nature. 11 Waiting Their Turn: Minorities in a Democracy ** What options are available to people who feel their views aren’t represented in parliament? 12 Art: A Question of Style: Neo-Classicism and Romanticism Examining paintings by Louis David and Casper Friedrich to discover what the labels ‘Classical’ and ‘Romantic’ mean in art. 13 Classical and Romantic Music: Putting on the Style Songs from the Romantic and Classical periods reveal some essential differences between these styles. 14 What is Religion? Members of the Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, Anglican and Muslim communities in Liverpool discuss the differences and similarities between their faiths. 15 Looking for Hinduism in Calcutta Exploring the richness of Hindu life and worship in India’s most diverse city.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 31 16 Wallace in Wales ** How Wallace’s early life in Wales prompted his discovery of the theory of natural selection - independently of Charles Darwin. 17 Was Anybody There? Tables shook, people levitated and séances were all the rage in Victorian society. Surely mediums couldn’t trick rational men of science? 18 The Argument From Design Scientists discuss whether their theories about the origins of the Universe are compatible with a religious view. 19 Living Doll: A Background to Shaw’s Pygmalion Examining the theatrical, political and very personal forces that influenced George Bernard Shaw when he created his flower girl Eliza Doolittle. 20 Euripides’s Medea Fiona Shaw explores how to make sense of scenes from Euripides’s brutal and violent play Medea for contemporary audiences. 21 The Myth of Medea: Authenticity in Greek Tragedy In recreating Euripides’s Greek tragedy Medea today, what are the tensions between the conventions of ancient and modern dramatic performances? 22 Myth and Music Composer Judith Weir explains why she wrote a series of works based on Scottish folktales about people who have disappeared mysteriously. 23 Wide Sargasso Sea: Real & Imaginary Islands How Jean Rhys’ childhood on the island of Dominica helped provide the background to her best known novel. 24 Picturing the Genders Examining the traditional view of art history in which men do the painting and women do the posing. 25 Off With the Mask: TV in the 60s Finding out how television programmes during the 60s reflected the considerable cultural change that Britain was experiencing. 26 The Biobigny Trial A look at the historical importance of this turning point in the campaign to legalise abortion in France. 27 Two Religions: Two Communities Devotees of two very different religious communities explain the nature and purpose of the life they lead. 28/2 The Copulation Explosion How did the Pill affect sexual behaviour in 1960s America? 29 Getting it Right Trevor Herbert talks to renowned trumpeter John Wallace and signs up for a 5 day crash course in making your own natural trumpet. 30 Rothko: The Seagram Murals Looking for sense and meaning in Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals - some of the darkest, least inviting abstract works ever painted. 31 Harlem in the 60s A look at one of the most fruitful artistic periods of black American history. 32 Glasgow 1998: Supporting the Arts Exploring the city’s reputation for the arts, which was cultivated during the 1990s and could not have been achieved without public subsidy. Programmes are 30 minutes duration except where asterisked **. These are 25 minutes duration.
32 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details A206 – The Enlightenment Prog no. Title 1 The Encyclopédie A look at this great 18th century French encyclopédie. 2 Frederick the Great and Sans Souci A tour of this palace near Potsdam reveals much about Frederick the Great, ruler of Prussia. 3 Humanity and the Scaffold Exploring the impact of Enlightenment thinking on the penal systems of 18th century England and France. 4 Scotland in the Enlightenment How the buildings and art of 18th century Scotland reflect social and political thought of the time. 5 Classical Sculpture and the Enlightenment Charles Townley’s collection in the British museum illustrates the 18th century fascination with classical taste. 6 Angelica Kauffman, RA and the Choice of Painting This Swiss woman painter overcame the restrictions of her time to become a founder member of Britain’s Royal Academy. 7 Kedleston Hall Exploring Robert Adam’s architectural masterpiece. 8 Citizens of the World A look at the structure of the Navy in 18th century Britain, and a visit to HMS Victory to find out what life was like for the sailors. 9 Slaves and Noble Savages An exploration of the life of an African slave during the 18th century. 10 Extracts from Dialogue in the Dark A dramatisation of James Boswell’s visit to the philosopher David Hume as he lay on his death-bed. 11 Nathan the Wise Dramatised extracts from this 18th century German play by Gothold Lessing. 12 The Magic Flute The finale of Act 1, from the stage of the 18th century Drottningholm Opera House in Sweden. 13 Poetry and Landscape What can 18th century landscape paintings and poetry tell us about attitudes to politics and society at the time? 14 Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Retreat to Romanticism How the composer came to create a whole new philosophy based upon the natural life he loved. 15 Chardin and the Still Life In 18th century France, Jean Baptiste Chardin was hailed as the master of still life painting. How did he develop his technique? 16 Nature Display’d A look at how women and nature, and the complex associations made between them, were depicted in art and science during the 18th Century. A210 - Approaching Literature: Authors, Readers, Texts This course offers a broad introduction to literary texts and how they are studied. Fiction, poetry and drama all have a place, and students have the opportunity to read, study and analyse a wide variety of literature. Prog No. Title 1 Building the Perfect Beast Frankenstein - how and why do Mary Shelley’s creations continue to exert such power over our collective imaginations? 4 Persisting Dreams Was Byron really ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’ - and how did he influence later Romantics like Delacroix and Verdi? 2 Behind a Mask Looking for common threads in the lives and work of six women writers. 3A The Authentic & Ironical Historie of Henry V History, patriotism and propaganda collide in this story of our obsession with reconstructing the past. Programmes are 50 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 33 A214 - Understanding Music This course teaches the basic techniques and styles of Western music of the “tonal era” (c1600-1900). The eight programmes explore musical topics, present performances of music studied in the course and include interviews with composers and performers. Prog no. Title 1 Taking Note How did musical notation develop and how is it used by performers and composers? 2 A Change of Key? What are musical keys and why are they needed? 4 Following a Score How to follow a musical score. 3 Composing: George Fenton in Conversation This composer, who links such films as Gandhi, Memphis Belle and Dangerous Liaisons, talks about the business of writing music. 5 Ensembles in Performance Performances of works by Corelli and Schubert. 6 Theory and Practice What makes a ‘great’ composer great - is it inspiration, or the perspiration of rigorous theoretical training? 7 Words and Music Finding out what happens when a composer sets words to music, using scenes from Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas. 8 Jazz, Raga and Synthesizers A look at music from beyond the classic, European tradition. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. A216 - Art and its Histories: Institutions, Artists and Avant-gardes Through detailed study of individual works, movements and institutions of art, this course explores some of the different approaches that have characterised recent art history. It also introduces various techniques for analysing works of art. Prog No. Title 1 Musée du Louvre: Understanding a National Institution (50 minutes) How and why paintings and sculptures are selected for this national institution, becoming part of the canon of Western art 2 Church and Mosque: Religious Architecture in Venice and Istanbul Exploring the differences and similarities between two great religious buildings, built at the same time for different, but neighbouring cultures. 3 Women and Allegory: Gender and Sculpture in Two Societies Allegorical images of women abound in eastern and western cultures. What can we learn by comparing their form and meanings? 5 Modernist Primitivism: Gauguin and Pont-Aven How Gauguin’s striving for a purer form of modern art led him to Brittany in search of the ‘primitive’. 7 Meaning in Abstract Art Investigating one of the hallmarks of the modern movement - the development of abstract art and what it actually means. 4 Gothic in India: Bombay Railway Station (50 minutes) Built as a symbol of British power, Bombay’s Victoria Terminus Station shows just what happens when East meets West. 6 West Africa: Art and Identities (50 minutes) African artists in London and Ghana look at their art and its origins and influences. 8 Art in Australia: Postmodernism and Cultural Identity (50 minutes) Aboriginal art is both ancient and contemporary. Once Europeans denied its existence, now its success is a postmodern cultural phenomenon. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 30 minutes duration.
34 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details A221 - State, Economy and Nation in Nineteenth Century Europe This course looks at concepts and assumptions which developed during the nineteenth century and which shape our world today. The conclusion to the course examines how these ideas were beginning to change by 1914. Prog No. Title 1 A Tale of Two Capitals - Paris and Rome How Napoleon’s new Paris, which was based on ancient Rome, was ironically then the inspiration for changes to the Italian capital. 2 The Lyonnais: A Changing Economy Tracing the economic development of the region around Lyon in France during the 19th century. 3 A Question of Identity - Berlin and Berliners Charting the transformation of a city and its people - from the time of Napoleon’s arrival to World War One. 4 Changes in Rural Society: Piedmont and Sicily The 19th century story of the evolution of these two very different rural societies which became part of a united Italy. Programmes are 50 minutes duration. A316 - Modern Art: Practices and Debates Prog no. Title 2 Manet Art historian T.J. Clark explains why Manet’s famous painting Olympia got a hostile reception when first exhibited in 1865. 3 Paris, Spectacle of Modernity How the art of the Impressionists was affected by the social and physical changes in 19th century Paris. 4 Musée d’Orsay The politics and thinking that created an important museum from a disused railway station. 6 The Impressionist Surface What messages were artists such as Monet and Cézanne trying to convey through their work? 5 Berthe Morisot: An Interview with Kathleen Adler Understanding the restrictions placed on women in 19th century society gives an insight into this artist’s work. 1 Rodin At his death, Rodin was the most famous artist in the Western world, but during his lifetime his work provoked a storm of criticism. 7 The Bathers by Cézanne and Renoir: Modernism & the Nude Comparing the approaches of Cézanne and Renoir to painting the nude. 8 The Colonial Encounter How African art was displayed at the Paris World Fair in 1900 and has been shown in museums since then. 9 Picasso’s Collages 1912-13 Two contrasting explanations of Picasso’s controversial works, completed on the eve of the First World War. 10 On Pictures and Paintings Modern art is often misunderstood - how can we make sense of it? 11 Mondrian The simple shapes and bold colours of Mondrian’s paintings have made him one of the best known of all abstract artists. 13 Matisse and the Problem of Expression Matisse wanted painting to be ‘expressive’, but what did he mean by this, and what can art express? 15 Le Corbusier - Villa La Roche Exploring the ideas and motives behind Le Corbusier’s design. 14 Film Montage: The Projection of Modernity In the 1920’s, Soviet film makers Eisenstein and Vertov invented a new visual language to communicate their political ideology.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 35 12 Max Ernst and the Surrealist Revolution For this man the revolution lay as much in how a work of art was created as in what it represented. 16 Picasso’s Guernica Painted in protest at the bombing of a town during the Spanish Civil War, what meaning can Picasso’s masterpiece have for today? 17 The Museum of Modern Art What makes New York’s M.O.M.A. ‘tick’ and how did it become one of the most influential art institutions of the 20th century? 18 Public Murals in New York The work of American artists who, during the 1930s, were encouraged to paint murals in hospitals, airports and housing estates. 24 Greenberg on Jackson Pollock The eminent American art critic discusses the work of Jackson Pollock. 21/2 Jackson Pollock: Tim Clark & Michael Fried in Conversation A debate between art historian T.J. Clark and art critic Michael Fried about the meaning of Pollock’s work. 19 Greenberg on Art Criticism The eminent American art critic Clement Greenberg discusses the theory and practice of art criticism. 22 Flag A flag or a painting? Exploring the meanings behind Jasper John’s famous image of the stars and stripes. 20 Art & the Left How the impact of Vietnam, civil rights and feminism drove some American artists to reconsider their role in society and to politicise their art. 23 Smithson & Serra: Beyond Modernism? Examine the sometimes controversial works of these two sculptors, which are designed to relate to the environment they’re displayed in. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. A354 - Art, Society & Religion in Siena, Florence & Padua 1280-1400 This course studies the art of Siena, Florence and Padua – three leading centres of cultural activity in 14th century Italy. Ideal for students with an interest in early renaissance art, the art and cultural legacy of Italy or late medieval culture and society in general. Two videos, filmed on location in the three cities, are also available to buy from OUW. Prog no. Title 8 Siena Cathedral (50 minutes) Looking at the history of this great ecclesiastical building’s construction and how it dramatically portrays Siena’s rivalry with Florence. 3 The Palazzo Pubblico, Siena A tour of this great medieval City Hall, built to honour and beautify one of the wealthiest Italian city states. 1 Duccio: The Rucellai Madonna Why Duccio’s magnificent 14th century altarpiece continues to fascinate art historians. 2 Giotto: The Arena Chapel (50 minutes) One of the cornerstones of Western Art, Giotto’s remarkable fresco cycle in Padua is explored and explained. 4 Orsanmichele (50 minutes) Tracing the development of this Italian Church - from grain market to one of Florence’s most important shrines. 6 The Baptistery, Padua Exploring this richly decorated 14th century building, which is a rare surviving commission from a female patron. 7 The Rinuccini Chapel, Florence A tour of one of the most complete surviving examples of a 14th century funerary chapel. 5 The Spanish Chapel, Florence Unravelling the mystery behind the enigmatic frescoes, which decorate this chapel’s interior. Unless otherwise stated, all programmes are 25 minutes duration.
36 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details AA300 - Europe: Culture and Identities in a Contested Continent This interdisciplinary course examines the complex nature of identities in contemporary Europe, asking how European identities are embodied and expressed in cultural artefacts. It begins with an introduction to European identity, looking at the relationship between identity and history, religion, nation and language. Prog no. Title 2 The Train to Cluj-Napoca Academic Paul Stirton takes a train journey with Eva Borbely starting from Vienna to Budapest and on through Romania to Cluj-Napoca to discover what’s happened to people in Hungary and Romania since the days of communism before 1989. 3 The Dangers of Powerful Neighbours This film tells the story of Alsace through the life of the charming 70 year old illustrator Tomi Ungerer. Tomi was born French, then became German when the Nazis invaded in 1940, then switched back to French after the war. His life and his drawings have been influenced by his childhood experiences. Identity, language and nationality are key themes which dominate his work. 4 Jump Over Your Shadow The re-unification of Germany has been much harder on the people who lived in the communist East. Why is it that some have flourished in the new Germany, while others have fallen by the wayside? What distinguishes the winners from the losers? Unless otherwise stated, all programmes are 30 minutes duration. AA302 - From Composition to Performance: Musicians at Work This course draws on a wide variety of musical traditions and periods. Much of the music comes from the Western art tradition, but the course also includes many other genres such as popular music, jazz, film soundtracks and music from cultures outside Western Europe and North America. Prog no. Title 1 The Art of the Restorer The story of how one man has dedicated his life to restoring historic keyboard instruments. 2 The Celebrated Cyfarthfa Band Charting the history of one of the finest Victorian brass bands, founded in 1838 in Merthyr Tydfil. 3 Cinema for the Ears Exploring the world of computer generated music through the work of composers in Britain and America. 4 Wayang Golek: Puppeteers of West Java Experiencing the sights and sounds of an authentic Javanese rod puppet show accompanied by gamelan - a traditional percussion orchestra. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. AA314 - Studies in Music, 1750 - 2000 This course introduces different analytical and interpretative methods of studying music from the period 1750-2000. Students will develop an understanding of important topics within contemporary music such as gender studies, and produce analyses and essays on musicological topics. Requires an understanding of harmony, form and score-reading, as well as essay writing. Prog no. Title 2 Music and Place: Long Remembered Hills This programme explores how the lives and music of two English composers (Ivor Gurney and Herbert Howells) from early 20th century Gloucestershire were entwined 1 Music and Place: In Tune with America This programme explores the life and work of influential American composer and band leader John Philip Sousa. 3 Music and Place: Sounds of Paradise This television programme is specially shot entirely on location in Papua New Guinea. It explores the traditional music and culture of the island, focussing mainly on Mr Pai Minai, an eminent Huli tribesman and the most renowned player of the gawa, a two-stringed bow considered by the Huli to be the highest form of musical expression Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 37 AD317 - Religion in the Modern World This course will be of interest to anyone who is curious about the role of religion today and wonders whether increasing secularisation will mean the eventual death of faith. It studies examples of religious ideas, practices and teachings from around the world and sets religion in the wider context of the societies in which it is embedded. Prog no. Title 1 The Glastonbury Tales Glastonbury has drawn spiritual seekers for centuries and is also perceived as the epicentre of ‘New Age England’. This programme follows the unfolding stories in the lives of three ‘Glastonians’ of different religions drawn to live and worship in Glastonbury because of its spiritual significance. Programme is 30 minutes duration.
Business B200 - Understanding Business Behaviour Prog no. Title 1 Running the Planet A business profile of Nike. What is it about the structure and culture that makes Nike so successful? Programme is 30 minutes duration.
B820 - Strategy Prog no Title 1 The Passion for Distinctiveness The secret behind the success of a school, an advertising agency and a hotel chain. 2 A New Way of Life This is the story of how the UK’s oil companies reacted to the oil price crash of 1986 in order to survive in a much harsher economic environment. 3 Hard Rock Café The launch of the first Hard Rock Café in South Africa called for a subtle blending of local culture with Western business values. Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
B822 - Creativity, Innovation and Change Prog no. Title 1 They Did It Their Way How organisations are changing - and the influences on how managers will manage in the future. 4 Partnerships How Stoke-on-Trent used a range of partnerships between private, public and community organisations to win funding for an ambitious programme of urban regeneration. 3 Management in Chinese Cultures Does the continuing success of the Chinese approach to business have lessons for us in the West? Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
38 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Social Science D214 - The United States in the 20th Century This is the first OU course in the field of American studies. It draws on several disciplines – politics, geography, sociology, history, economics and literature, among others – to examine the experience of American society in this century, and to develop a complex portrait and understanding of the most powerful of nations. Prog no. Title 9 Out of the Melting Pot Like many ethnic communities in the USA, Jewish Americans are rediscovering their cultural roots. But does being more Jewish mean being less American? 8 From A Different Shore - An American Identity Japanese Americans in Los Angeles are determined to preserve their unique American heritage, including the memory of the wartime trauma of ‘relocation’. 7 Reinventing the City In the last thirty years spectacular urban developments have taken place in New York and Los Angeles. How did these come about? 5 Just in Time? Restructuring Corporate America How three major US companies are facing up to the economic challenges of the 90s. 10P1/2 The Battle for Congress (40 minutes) The first of two programmes following two candidates from California as they fought for a seat in Congress during 1998. 10P2/2 The Battle for Congress Part 2 (40 minutes) Concluding this documentary following two candidates as they slugged it out for a seat in Congress during California’s 1998 mid-term elections. 6/02 Mr. Moore Runs for Washington Following the progress of one candidate as he campaigns for a seat in the US Congress. 1 Powers of the President: Constitution and Congress Four former American Presidents reveal their views about the various constraints on presidential power in the USA. 2 Powers of the President: Bureaucracy, Court and Media Interviews with four ex-Presidents show their different attitudes to other major players on the US political scene. 3 Powers of the President: Foreign Policy - Nixon and Ford Two former Presidents of the USA talk about the Vietnam War, diplomatic secrecy and an intimate moment with Leonid Brezhnev. 4 Powers of the President: Foreign Policy - Carter and Reagan The two former US Presidents talk about Camp David, the Iranian hostages, Nicaragua, ‘Irangate’, Star Wars and summitry in Reykjavik and Geneva. Programmes are 50 minutes duration, unless otherwise stated. D215 - The Shape of the World This course gives a broad introduction to human geography, examining some of the principal forces that are shaping our world today. Ideal for students who have a wide interest in social sciences and want to increase their understanding of environmental and geographical issues. Prog no. Title 1 Imagining New Worlds Join Doreen Massey on a journey through South Eastern Mexico to discover the many different ways of making sense of a place. 2/2 Reflections on a Global Screen The same episode of Superman can be seen from Huddersfield to Hong Kong - but as the world seems to be shrinking for some, for others it’s moving further apart.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 39 Frozen Planet (see page 16) 3 Global Firms in the Industrialising East How multinational corporations decide where to locate their operations. 4 Global Tourism A look at the growth of global tourism and the social and cultural problems that it creates. 5 Alaska: The Last Frontier? To white Americans, Alaska is an empty wilderness but for the native Alaskans, it’s a homeland with a rich history. How can native attitudes influence modern development plans? 6 Population Transition in Italy The 1991 census revealed that Italy has experienced the fastest, most extreme decline in fertility ever recorded. Why? 7 Water is for Fighting Over From California’s High Sierras to Pyramid Lake in Nevada, every drop of Truckee River water is hotly contested. Who needs it most? 8 A Migrant’s Heart Born in Africa, living in London, theatre director Jatinder Verma traces roots in India in the search for home. 9 Who Belongs to Glasgow? Some of the conflicts that have occurred as a result of Glasgow’s changing economy over the past century and how its recent tourism programme has recreated its international identity. 10 Bajourou - Music of Mali ‘Bajourou’ are a group of Mali’s most well-known musicians and their stories reveal a rich history of diverse musical traditions. 11 Changing Berlin: Changing Europe Political and social changes in Berlin since the turn of the century, seen through the eyes of some of its residents. 12 The World of the Dragon China’s economy is booming and once again it is the ‘dragon’s head’, Shanghai, which acts as the open door. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. D216 - Economics and Changing Economies Prog no. Title 1 Forecasting the Economy How the Treasury uses models to try to predict what is happening to the British economy. 2 Modelling in the Motor Industry How do companies like Ford, Toyota and Morgan plan their business? 3 Modelling in the Long Term How three economic theories affect the problem of unemployment in Europe - long wave theory, the liberal tradition, and social contract theory. 4 Modelling in the Money Markets A look at the changing nature of economic forecasting in the City. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. D218 - Social Policy: Welfare, Power and Diversity This course offers an introduction to the study of social problems and social policy, and examines the changing landscape of the provision of social welfare in Britain today. Prog no. Title 1 Women of Northern Ireland The hopes and fears of women who’ve lived through ‘the troubles’. What do they want now? 6 Declining Citizenship Over the last 20 years the position of pensioners relying only on a state pension has declined significantly. What has been the pensioners’ response?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 41 2 Independent Living Seeing how two people with disabilities live outside institutions. But will financial cutbacks mean an end to their independence? 4 What’s Right for Children? At Highgate Primary School, a class of 9-11 year olds and their teacher explore the school’s policy on children’s rights. 5 Welfare for All? Britain’s post-war welfare state promised to take care of everybody, but was that really what happened? 8 Fortress Europe How easy is it to get into Western Europe today after the fall of the Eastern Block? The German border with Poland is the frontline. 7 Fortress Britain The government wants to keep out “economic migrants”, but how do Britain’s immigration policies affect people seeking asylum from persecution? Programmes 30 minutes duration.
D311 - Family Life and Social Policy Prog no. Title 1 Berlin - Unemployment and the Family Looking at the welfare state in a re-unified Germany through the eyes of three Berlin families. 2 Somewhere a Wall Came Down Re-unification brought problems as well as joy to East Germans. A look at how families in East Berlin coped with unemployment. Programmes 25 minutes duration.
D316 - Democracy - from Classical Times to the Present Prog no. Title 1 Athens: Democracy for the Few Why do we think of Athens as the birthplace of democracy? An exploration of images and realities. 2 News and the Democratic Agenda? Pressures on television news are increasing - how are the people responsible for our news responding? 3 A New Sun is Born - Part 1: The Coup (25 minutes) Eye-witness accounts of the dramatic and popular military coup which ended 40 years of dictatorship in Portugal. 3A A New Sun is Born - Part 2: The Revolution (25 minutes) Democracy hung in the balance as society was transformed and political power was contested after Portugal’s “Carnation Revolution” of 1974. 4 South Korea: The Struggle for Democracy The struggle for democracy in South Korea has been long and arduous, and is not over yet. 8 Virtual Democracy? (25 minutes) Will the internet expand democratic involvement, or is it just a plaything for the elite? 7 “We the Peoples” - Democracy and the UN An exploration of the changing role of the UN since the end of the Cold War. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 30 minutes duration.
42 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details D317 - Social Psychology This course develops a critical understanding of theory and research into social psychology. As well as learning about social behaviour and the experience of others and oneself, students will develop independent study skills in research, evaluation and the construction of argument. The course focuses on three themes – health and illness, the form and function of personal relationships, and experience and behaviour in the wider society. Prog no. Title 1 Looking at What Happens in Hospital (25 minutes) Exploring the different meanings ward layouts and post-operative ward rounds hold for patients and staff. 2 Insights into Violence (30 minutes) A look at some theories of violent behaviour including the need to look at the individual’s biology, evolution and the social context in which violence happens. 3 Controlling Carnival Crowds? Following London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival to explore the psychology of crowd behaviour. 4 Relationships Two same-sex couples talk about the history, conflict and social networks surrounding their partnerships. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 50 minutes duration. D318 - Culture, Media & Identities A broad-based introduction to cultural and media studies, this course explores current theoretical ideas and debates about culture. It also charts its growing importance in all aspects of life. Prog no. Title 1 Cultures of the Walkman A look at the Sony Walkman as a cultural artefact and how it’s been designed, redesigned, marketed, produced and consumed. 2/2 France in the Viewfinder After the Second World War, photographers helped to rebuild a sense of French national identity at home and abroad. 3 England’s Green and Pleasant Land Visiting the Lake District, Stourhead Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Kelmscott to see how images of England and Englishness have developed. 6 Images over India What’s been the response to the growing number of satellite TV and cable channels on offer in India? 7 “Yes, We Never Say No” How do managers in an international hotel chain get staff to commit their hearts and minds to providing a quality service? 9 My Favourite Things What the things in people’s living rooms mean to them - and reveal about them. 8 Your Place or Mine? Tiger Bay, Butetown, Cardiff Bay, the Docks - one place can have different names, and different meanings to the people who live and work there. 4 Whose Body? How is personal identity treated when TV discusses fertility issues and motherhood? 5 Which Body? What image of themselves do people have in mind when they take exercise? 10/02 Television To Call Our Own How, in the face of commercial pressures and American competition, Canada tries to promote its own culture on television. 11 Difference On Screen How Canada’s commitment to multiculturalism works in its film and television industry. Programmes 30 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 43 D319 - Understanding Economic Behaviour Prog no. Title 1 Housing - Business as Usual Comparing the very different housing markets in Britain and Germany. 2 The Care Industry Comparing British and German approaches to the provision of long term care. 3 Flexible Work - Insecure Lives For many workers, efficiency and flexibility mean redundancy and insecurity - so how do people survive in today’s labour markets? 4 The Wheels of Innovation Exploring the concept of innovation and what it means for companies in the UK and Italy. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. DD100 - Understanding Social Change At the beginning of this new millennium, the extraordinary pace of social change has stepped up another gear. The international environment has changed significantly with an accelerating economic globalisation; and closer to home, a series of structural, political and social reforms have begun. This course discusses society’s sense of uncertainty and recognition that moral and intellectual resources for coping with change are dangerously thin. Prog no. Title 1 Moral Panics: The Agony and the Ecstasy From Mods and Rockers to Rave, the media have had a love/hate relationship with young people. 2 Defining Moments A look at the changing nature of British identity through comparing the state funerals of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales. How have attitudes to tradition, authority, the people and the media changed over 40 years? 3 The Unusual Suspects The experiences of five disabled people illustrate changing attitudes to disability, normality and difference in Britain since the Second World War. 4 Living with Risk Downsized, squeezed out, surplus to requirement - the harsh realities of the modern labour market today bring change and uncertainty to many families. 5 Global Fantasy 2 - The Irresistible Rise of the Computer Game? With sales of video games now rising faster than movie tickets, does this mean the end of Hollywood’s cultural dominance? 6 Mother Knows Best? Sarah’s son won’t sleep; Lisa is worried about a controversial vaccine. Faced with conflicting advice, what should they do? Programmes are 30 minutes duration. DD200 - Governing Europe Prog no. Title 1 Bringing Home the Bacon A Cumbrian boar farmer travels in Europe to find out how the Common Agricultural Policy has changed farming, food and the countryside. 2 In the Nick of Time A young MEP forces a piece of telecoms legislation through Brussels in record time so Europe can keep up with the internet future. 3 Coming Home Journalist Agnieszka Rakoczy travels home to Poland to discover how her country has changed and what membership of the EU will mean. 4 The Euro Beat How do you police the EU when criminals no longer respect borders but the police must? Professor David Wilson travels across the continent to find out. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. 44 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details DD201 - Sociology and Society Prog no. Title 1 At Home Behind the closed doors of everyday life lies a treasure of private behaviour. In this film we go behind those closed doors and, through the experience of two families, we examine just how we live today. We discover that our ordinary, everyday lives are complex, fascinating and ever changing. 2 At the Local We all know exactly what a pub is – don’t we? Or do we? We follow one ethnographer – Diane Watson – as she studies a chain of ‘traditional’ pubs in the Midlands. 3 Manchester Divided This film is a journey through one of Britain’s most challenging cities: Manchester. Two sociologists – Linda Janes and Gerry Mooney – use the new Metrolink Tram to take them around the city, meeting people as they go who can answer the question of how ‘place’ can determine our chances in life. 4 Driving While Black This film is based in Cincinnati where friction between the police Department and the African- American population has escalated into confrontation more than once in the past thirty years 5 The Museum of Conflicting Histories This film takes us to Australia to explore the representation of space and time. Over the past 20 or 30 years a debate has been raging within the world of museums over how we represent ourselves in post-colonial times. 6 Private Lives Researching other peoples’ intimate and private lives raises a whole host of ethical and moral issues. Just how much can we expect the subjects of our research to give, particularly when the research concentrates on the most difficult areas of parenthood and family life? Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
DD302 - Pacific Studies
This course explores one of the most dynamic regions in the world – the Pacific – which, for the purposes of the course, is defined as the area from the west coast of North America to Australia. The course largely focuses on the main nation states, Japan, the USA and China, though other nations such as Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Australia are not forgotten. Students will learn about the region’s geopolitical and strategic importance, its economic dynamism and the nature of governance. Prog no. Title 1 Imagining the Pacific From South Sea Paradise to economic miracle, people have thought about the Pacific region in many very different ways. 2 Patrolling the American Lake The US Navy and Airforce have a huge presence in the post-Cold War Pacific. What are they doing there? 3 Containing the Pacific Exploring the success of one of the biggest commercial players in the Port of Los Angeles - a Taiwanese conglomerate called Evergreen. 4 Family Ties: The Story of Adeline Yen Mah From unwanted daughter in Shanghai in the 1940s to a career as a doctor in California - the life story of Adeline Yen Mah. 5 Coming Home to Banaba Former citizens of a tiny Pacific island return to see the devastation wrought by 80 years of phosphate mining. Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 45 DD304 - Understanding Cities Prog no. Title 1 New York - Making Connections New York is the best connected city in the world, with networks operating at every level of society. 2 Cities in a Hurry The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur illustrate the desire of Asian cities to be taken seriously on the world stage. 3 Mexico City - Whose City? In one of the biggest cities in the world, some struggle for power, others just hang on to their toe- hold in the metropolis. Whose city is it? 4 Moscow - A City In Transition The story of four Muscovites who have experienced at first hand the wrenching changes that have occurred in their city. 5 Sydney - Living with Difference In just 20 years, Sydney has transformed itself from an outpost of the British Empire to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. 6/2 Surviving Cities Half the world’s population now lives in cities. But can we and the planet survive the social and environmental challenges they present? Programmes are 30 minutes duration. DU310 - Environmental Policy in an International Context Prog no. Title 5 The North Sea: Managing the Common Pool How are environmental problems in the North Sea tackled, and by whom? 3 Desertification: A Threat to Peace? The problems of living on the physical and economic margins of existence. 2 The Black Triangle How western Europe wants to help clean up the environmental legacy of communism in the most polluted area in Europe. 1/2 Global Warming: Global Policy? (30 minutes) Is global warming to blame for increasingly extreme weather events? Are policy makers taking sufficient action to counter the potential effects of climate change? 6 Clayoquot Sound - The Final Cut? Exploring the disappearing rainforests of Canada’s west coast. 4 Fuelling the Philippines Tiger Can the Philippines become an economic tiger by welcoming multi-national oil companies and still protect the environment? Unless otherwise stated, all programmes are 25 minutes duration. DXR220 - Social Science in Action Prog no. Title 1 Cyberboss (5 minutes) Sally Davis is a modern manager of a multinational organisation. Only by utilising the very latest technologies can she combine this with a family life. 2 Modem Monks A community of monks on an isolated Welsh island continue their fight for survival by turning to an unlikely solution from the modern world. 3 Trend Trackers Catching the next big thing brings huge rewards to global companies, who’ll pay fat fees to the people who can spot them coming. Unless otherwise stated, all programmes are 30 minutes duration.
46 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Education E242 - Learning for All Prog no. Title 3 Under the Walnut Tree An exploration of the integrated approach of one community school providing primary education to children of all needs and abilities. 2 Learning to Care How one Scottish local authority set about improving childcare provision for pre-school children. 5 Rich Mathematical Activities Making maths exciting for children of all abilities. 4 The Write to Choose How children of all abilities can be encouraged to learn to write and enjoy creating stories. 6 Danger - Children at Play A theatre company helps a school explore the issue of bullying. 7 Images of Disability Disabled people want respect and self-esteem in their jobs. Yet charity advertising often portrays them as needy, sad or heroic. 8 Children First A look at the implementation of an education policy in Nottinghamshire which aimed to integrate children with special needs into mainstream schools. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. ED209 - Child Development This course shows how psychological enquiry can help us to improve our understanding of the development of human beings. Ideal for those who work professionally with children or who want to study the theory of child development and its practical applications. Prog no. Title 1 Simple Beginnings? Using developmental psychology to reveal the world in children’s heads. 2 Babies’ Minds Examining two theories that attempt to explain how the world appears during our first few months of life. 3 How We Study Children Making sense of the seemingly chaotic world of children’s play. 17/1 Finding A Way – Marni and Renee Following two mothers through the first year of their children’s lives. One had an average birth while the other’s baby was premature. 5 Play and the Social World Exploring children’s play and how it helps them develop their social skills. 13/1 Finding A Voice – Alex and Leigh Looking at sudden brain trauma in two children and the effects such a dramatic interruption has had on their language and communication abilities. 14/1 Finding A Voice – Jack, Sam and Jamie Exploring the conditions which impair a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others, and the ways a child ‘learns’ how to communicate with the outside world. 15/1 Finding A Voice – Alanah and Hannah Looking at how breakthroughs in technology could build new pathways for communication, thus helping a child to compensate for, or replace, crucial missing skills. 9 Children, Science and Commonsense How do children explain the physical world, where do their ideas come from and how scientific are they?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 47 The Virtual Revolution (see page 23)
48 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details 18/1 Finding A Way – Bowbridge and Great Bardfield Following a remarkable pilot scheme being conducted in schools in this country. Children as young as eight are now being given their own laptops and are being taught sophisticated programmes that are more commonly used in the workplace. 10 Deaf-Blind Education in Russia Visiting one special school in Russia to see how psychologists and educators set about teaching deaf-blind children. 16/1 Finding A Way – Luke, Carl and Matthew Exploring the neurological condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – the biggest single cause of psychiatric disorder in children. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. EU208 - Exploring Educational Issues Prog no. Title 25 The Qualification Chase (50 minutes) When it comes to exams, why do academic subjects seem to have a higher status than vocational qualifications? 26/2 Quality Care Getting the right day-care helps parents as they bring up their children - so which is the best option for each family? 21 A School for our Times? Capturing the ethos and life of a very successful infant school - Coombes County Infant School in Arborfield near Reading. 22 A Lesson in Progress? Looking at French and English Primary education systems. 23 A Hard Act to Follow The 1988 Education Reform Act encouraged schools to compete for pupils - but what have been the consequences? 24 Images of Education One Open University academic presents his personal view of how the image of education has changed since the War. 27 Just Like a Girl Catching up with two women who featured in a 1976 book looking at the aspirations of a group of schoolgirls. 19 Putting Training to Work: Britain and America British and American school-leavers often face unemployment - are vocational training courses the answer? 20 Putting Training to Work: Britain and Germany Comparing British and German policies for youth training among school leavers. 17 After the Revolution What are the priorities now for educationalists in the Czech Republic? 18 The Academy of Waste? Exploring why many universities in Italy have a drop-out rate of 70%. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. Health & Social Welfare K100 - Working for Health and Social Welfare Prog no. Title 1 Talking About Care Charting the changes in the British care system over the past fifty years, through the experiences of those directly involved. Programme is 30 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 49 K203 - Working for Health This course examines the pluralistic nature of health and the key aspects of health work in different cultural, historical and policy frameworks. Students will explore everyday aspects of health and well-being, as well as radical practice, health policy and the relationship between orthodox and non-orthodox approaches to health and health care. Designed for anyone with an interest in health issues. Prog no. Title Healthy Living … Back to the Future 1 Charting ‘healthy living’ - from 1930s London to today’s fads and fancies. Programme is 30 minutes duration.
K260 - Death and Dying Prog no. Title 1/2 One Fact, Many Facets Funerals from around the world, imagery from our own history and an example of the care we offer people with terminal illness, show how death and dying are socially constructed. Programme is 25 minutes duration. K301 - Promoting Health This course is concerned not only with official health practice and policy, but with all the agencies and activities that can influence health. Students will explore and question current policies and interventions, both in professional practices and in everyday life. Designed for anyone with an interest or role in promoting health. Prog no. Title 1 Playing Safe Looking at a number of initiatives in Wales to reduce the appalling toll of childhood accidents. Programme is 30 minutes duration.
Languages L130 - Auftakt: Get Ahead in German This German course offers insights into many aspects of everyday life in modern Germany. Prog no. Title 1 Wendepunkte Germans from both sides of the old border talk about their lives after reunification. Programme is 25 minutes duration. L140 - En Rumbo: A Fresh Start in Spanish This course uses authentic printed, audio and visual materials to help students develop practical skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, and teach an understanding of aspects of Spanish and Latin American society and culture. Progno. Title 1 Mosaico Hispánico Members of the growing Spanish-speaking community in Los Angeles describe their roots around the world and life in the city. Programme is 30 minutes duration.
50 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details L210 - Mises au Point This course aims to improve knowledge and competence in the French language while developing awareness of the society and culture of contemporary France and French-speaking countries. Prog no. Title 2 Informer, Éduquer, Divertir? An entertaining look at how politics and commerce have shaped broadcasting in France. 1 Ciné Cinéphiles A potted history of French cinema - an art form which is now over 100 years old. 3 La Bonne Formule From the school-room to the research lab - a look at science in France. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. Maths and Computing M203 - Introduction to Pure Mathematics Prog no. Title 1G Galois’ Enduring Legacy (60 minutes) Evariste Galois, founder of ‘group theory’, died for his politics, but is remembered for his mathematics. 03/02 Reflecting on Conics Conics are everywhere! From the formal Victorian garden to the Hubble space telescope, conics and their reflective properties have a multitude of uses. LA4 Transforming the World What do graphics for the newsroom, kitchen design and RAF cockpit research have in common? LA5 The Roof of the World At the end of the 1950’s, mathematics led the investigation into the loss of two aeroplanes to some unusual conclusions. 2F Finding a Balance Simultaneous equations may sound dull, but they are a useful mathematical tool with some unusual applications! 3F In Search of Vector Spaces This important mathematical idea turns up in maps, in satellite launches - and even in music. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 30 minutes duration. M206 - Computing: An Object-Oriented Approach This exciting introductory course in computing replaces course M205. Although it includes Smalltalk programming it is about network computing as well as software development and the emphasis is on computing in the next decade. The programmes illustrate the application of software development techniques using a variety of large-scale case studies, and highlight general issues such as computer security and human-computer interaction. Prog no. Title 13 Hard Questions, Soft Answers Key people from the history of object computing explain what software objects are, and how they were invented. 7 The Programmers The history of computing - from hardware and software to programming - and the people who devised the code to make them work. 16 Whose Web is it Anyway? The big software companies are fighting to control the World Wide Web. Can its inventor protect his dream? 14 The World Network How and why is India becoming a force in the new global software market?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 51 3 The Front Desk How to make the interface between computers and people more effective and welcoming. 4 The Information Society The Britannia Building Society’s new customer information system provides an object lesson in how to treat the public. 8 Talking Buildings Looking at the way Virtual Reality allows designers to walk through their buildings before they leave the drawing board. 12 Software Surgery How software can be designed to suit the needs of the user, rather than what the designers assume they want. 17 The Web Weavers Hailed as a “global soapbox”, the World Wide Web has changed our world. Why is it such a phenomenon and can it be controlled? 11/2 Hack the Planet Meet the hackers who wrote a program capable of hijacking 100 million computers and the multinationals intent on stopping them. 19 Code and Catastrophe From ‘safety critical’ applications in the nuclear weapons industry to visionary transportation schemes, can we really trust our lives to software? Programmes are 30 minutes duration. M246 – Elements of Statistics Prog no. Title 01 The Statistician Strikes Back Statisticians answer claims that all they do is tell us the obvious. 02 Out of the Blue? Looking at the statistical chances of being hit by a Doodlebug in World War II or getting ear-ache in the sea. 03 Ecological Predictions The technique of statistical stimulation on a computer helps a nature reserve in Oxford plan for the future. 04 Statistical Sciences Statistics in action investigating ancient Roman artefacts and testing modern theories about the origins of the Universe. 05 Problems with Patterns Striped patterns can trigger epileptic fits or cause headaches – statistics can help discover why. 06 Regressing to Quality We visit Britain’s largest steel works to see how statistics can help in the production of North Sea pipelines. 07 Clinical Trials Just how can we know that a new medicine is safe? The history of clinical trials looks into the successes and failures of a crucial process. 08 The World’s Best Athlete? Statistics in action as top sports men and women are put to the test.
M248 - Statistics in the 20th Century Prog no. Title MU247/ Something in the Air 01/01 Presented by Jancis Robinson, this programme looks at statistical data in relation to health issues such as asthma. MU247/ Risk 03/01 This programme looks at statistics in relation to the idea of taking risks.
52 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details M247/ Hitting Targets 02/01 Presented by Jancis Robinson, this programme investigates performance indicators. It focuses on public services such as the police, schools, hospitals and waste collection. 5 In Search of Certainty These days we take genetics for granted, but it was RA Fisher who went a long way to making it a testable science. Fisher put in place the mathematical tools and conceived of experimental designs to test complex biological hypotheses. This programme tells Fisher’s story, the genius of his insight, the arguments and the struggle for acceptance of his ideas. Programmes are 25 minutes duration.
M336 - Groups and Geometry Prog no. Title 1 Just Seventeen: The Geometry of Patterns (25 minutes) There may seem to be limitless patterns on wallpaper but mathematically speaking there are only seventeen. 2/2 Pyramids, Plato and Football (30 minutes) Investigating the geometric connection between the Egyptian pyramids, the roof at Manchester Airport and the design of footballs.
MA290 - Topics in the History of Mathematics This course tells the story of how mathematics has developed – and looks at the historical judgements and methods used in the past. Prog no. Title 1 The Emergence of Greek Mathematics Euclid’s Elements was written over 2,000 years ago. Why has it been such a revered maths textbook ever since? 2 The Vernacular Tradition In the Middle Ages, Hindu-Arabic numerals spread to Europe, making new calculation methods available to merchants and businessmen. 3 Marin Mersenne - The Birth of Modern Geometry During the 17th century, a French monk laid the foundations of a scientific community stretching across Europe. 4 The Founding of the Royal Society Creativity flourished in 17th century England, as scientists and mathematicians gathered together. 5 The Birth of Calculus With the discovery of calculus, mathematics received its greatest boost since the time of the ancient Greeks. 6 Non-Euclidean Geometry During the 18th and 19th centuries mathematicians were increasingly questioning the foundations on which their subject was built. 7 Paris and the New Mathematics During the French Revolution, mathematics became a tool of the State. But out of this came some of the greatest achievements of the 19th century. 8 The Liberation of Algebra In 19th century Ireland, the fundamental work of Hamilton and Boole freed algebra from its dependence on arithmetic. Programmes are 25 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 53 MDST242 - Statistics in Society What is ‘statistics’ and what can it do? These programmes aim to answer these questions by investigating a variety of everyday situations using statistical techniques. Prog no. Title 1 The Census How the answers to questions on the census form help local authorities plan their services and supermarkets to stock their shelves. 2 Development Aid Seeing how agencies like UNICEF use statistics to plan long term development projects to improve child health worldwide. 3 Evaluating Pre-School Education Beginning a child’s education earlier is considered beneficial - how can statistics help to prove this theory? 4/2 Mind Readers One of the world’s largest televised experiments revealed important differences in the way men and women perceive emotions ... or did it? 7 Experiments & Energy Designing an experiment to measure the effect of home insulation on energy consumption. 8 Energy Through the Window How practical is it to build a house heated by sunlight? Programmes are 25 minutes duration. MST207 - Mathematical Methods, Models & Modelling Prog no. Title 1 The Arch Never Sleeps How massive structures like Gothic cathedrals, which were built of stone using very little mortar, have survived for eight centuries. 2 Soaring Achievements Following a glider race above the French countryside to discover the mathematics behind unpowered flight. 3 The Secret of Sporting Success To be the best at any sport, you need the secret of success - and maths can help find it! 4 Asteroid Hunters Mathematical modelling on the track of potentially hazardous asteroids to try to predict, and possibly prevent, a catastrophic impact. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. The Maths Entry Suite, comprising: MU120 - Open Mathematics MST121 - Using Mathematics MS221 - Exploring Mathematics The programmes in this series come from three courses – MU120, MST121 and MS221 – that make up the Maths Entry suite. Prog no. Title MU120/1 Taking Off How maths is everywhere - from the shape of coins in your pocket to patterns in New Zealand’s mud pools. MST121/1 Wood, Brass and Baboon Bones A brief history of mathematical models, revealing how people have used everyday materials to describe, predict and control the world around them.
54 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details MS221/1 A Source of Inspiration Whether natural or manmade, clockwise or anticlockwise, many spirals can be described by just three mathematical models. MU120/2 The Passionate Statistician How Florence Nightingale’s passion for collecting, analysing and presenting information helped transform healthcare during the Crimean War. MU120/3 Asthma and the Bean How were statistical techniques used in finding the cause of mysterious asthma outbreaks in Barcelona during the 1980s? MU120/5 Caught in Time How mathematicians have discovered previously unknown juggling patterns. MST121/2 Blue Haven Is it too late or can maths help save the Blue Whale? MS221/2 The True Geometry of Nature How an intriguing mistake by one of the world’s greatest mathematicians is leading to real commercial applications. MU120/8 A Language for Movement Looking at how maths had a hand in the creation of an 18th century gavotte, a ballet and an African dance routine. MS221/3/2 Hotel Hilbert (30 minutes) Exploring the strange mathematical world of infinity at a hotel which is always full but still takes in guests. MST121/3 Designer Rides - Jerk and Jounce How maths puts the thrill into roller-coaster rides. MU120/6 Deadly Quarrels How two very different individuals turned to mathematics to analyze conflict and its causes during the First World War. MU120/7 Building by Numbers From facade to room dimensions - how some of the most beautiful buildings rely on maths for their proportions. MST121/4 The Spiral of Silence Investigating the reasons why opinion polls failed to predict the result of the 1992 General Election. MU120/4 The Rainbow A mathematical investigation into the properties of this subtle and often misunderstood phenomenon. MS221/4 Refining the View How can maths help if you are erecting bamboo scaffolding or monitoring the survival of an endangered dolphin population? Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. Science S103 - Discovering Science This is a wide-ranging course that introduces important scientific concepts and develops the skills needed to study science successfully. It offers a useful introduction to the disciplines of biology, chemistry, earth science and physics, and shows the links between them. Prog no. Title 2 The Science of Climate? Uncovering evidence to show that the Earth’s climate has always been changing - and discovering the impact made by human activities. 3 A Formidable Foe Malaria still kills about 2 million children around the world each year. What are the prospects for defeating this deadliest of diseases?
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 55 6 A Thread of Quicksilver The way that mercury - the only conveniently liquid metal at room temperature - has played its part in scientific advances. 1 The Birth of Liquid Crystals Liquid crystals may seem like a recent invention - but they‘ve occurred in nature for over a billion years. 7 Uncertain Principles Einstein couldn’t bring himself to believe in Quantum Theory - yet without it, we wouldn’t understand how electricity works. 9 Hidden Visions Revealing the beauty and structure of the microscopic world. 8 Lifelines The story of the intellectual struggle that established the theory of evolution as the cornerstone of our understanding of life. 4 Sickle Cell - A Lethal Advantage Discovering why this potentially lethal inherited condition is so common amongst people of African origin. 5 Lost Worlds Unravelling the mysteries of extinction - from the dinosaurs to the woolly mammoth. 10 Making Contact Meeting the scientists who’ve dedicated their lives to the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. S195 - Short Course - Genome The course examines the patterns of inheritance of genes, including those associated with genetic diseases; how genes function; how the physical and biochemical characteristics of the body are produced; and why there are differences between individuals and between populations. Finally, it explores some of the issues surrounding research into genes, from biological, medical and ethical points of view; for example, how knowledge from the genome has the potential to revolutionize our ability to change the genetic fates of individuals. Prog no. Title 1 After the Genome Questions raised following the publication of our complete genetic sequence. Will it lead to a cure for cancer, and why do we have so few genes? Programme is 50 minutes duration. S204 - Biology: Uniformity and Diversity This course is central to the honours degree in natural sciences with biology, but will also appeal to students who just want a taste of biology. It teaches a variety of topics across the whole field of modern biology, emphasising that biology is a science firmly grounded in observation and experiment. The first half of the course looks at the common features underlying the enormous diversity of life forms. The second half takes the principles taught in the first part and applies them to plants, microbes and animals. Prog no. Title 1 Unearthing the Woodwide Web Recent discoveries about fungi are unleashing a quiet revolution - they could provide scientists with solutions to economic and environmental problems. 2 Life on a Thread Biologists and computer scientists are beginning to understand how maths and physics help explain the amazing abilities of spiders. 3 Return of the Flying Death (50 minutes) The poison curare revolutionised modern medicine but was lost to the people who first invented it - now they want it back. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 30 minutes duration.
56 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details S205 - Chemistry Chemistry is of enormous importance in everyday life: almost everything we see, make and eat is composed of molecules. This course offers a broad introduction to chemistry and its applications, and integrates the teaching of the three main branches of chemistry: organic, inorganic and physical. It also uses case studies to illustrate the importance of chemistry in the natural world and in industry. Requires some background knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics and earth sciences. Prog no. Title 1 The Signature of Life Molecules can be either right or left-handed, and this property may be the key to discovering life on another planet 2 The End of the Race against Time Ahmed Zewail won the Nobel prize for his discovery of the femto-second – the time it takes to make and break chemical bonds. Is this the end of our race against time? 3 The Man Who Loved Trees Chemist Don Tomalia discovered the branching molecules called dendrimers, which can help combat cancer and other fatal diseases. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. S207 - The Physical World Physics is perhaps the most exciting intellectual adventure of our age. The discoveries which physicists are making today will change your life, and learning physics will change you and the way you think about the world. Natural curiosity leads us all to ask how the world works. Physics provides the deepest and most reliable scientific answers. Prog no. Title 1 A Life of Time An exploration of the revolutionary ideas that made an unknown patent clerk into the most famous scientist of the 20th century. 3 The Mother of All Collisions From car crashes to atom smashes - the spectacular science of collisions. 4 Maiden Flights More used to dispatching helicopters than flying them, two young women find out if they’ve got the right stuff. 5 Waving Not Drowning Two trawler captains take a trip 50 years back in time and try to cope without radar and radio. 2 The Search for Reality Albert Einstein didn’t get everything right - his rejection of quantum physics meant he failed to appreciate the basis of reality. 6 The Incredible Shrinking Chip Two computer salesmen try to repeat a Nobel prize winning achievement, to make a semiconductor transistor, the key component of a microprocessor. Programmes are 30 minutes duration. S268 - Physical Resources and Environment Prog no. Title 1 The Great Iron and Steel Rollercoaster (25 minutes) The history of the British steel industry from 1066 to the present day, seen in terms of resources, environment and politics. 3 Rocks for Roads More cars mean more roads, but what’s the cost to the environment? 4 Watering the Desert Selenium poisoning California’s bird-life, the dregs of the Colorado River reaching Mexico - just two of the many water management problems in the USA.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 57 5 Energy at the Crossroads (25 minutes) Are we running out of North Sea oil and gas - and what are the alternatives? 6 Renewable Energies Wind and solar power, biomass and geothermal energies are working now in California and Europe. How do they do it - and can we? Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 50 minutes duration. S269 - Earth and Life This innovative Earth Science course takes a ‘top-down’ approach by emphasising the interactions between lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. The course looks at the co-evolution of the earth and life, and explores how life has evolved in response to its environment, and how it has changed that environment. Prog no. Title 7 The KT Event Did a huge meteor collide with the Earth 60 million years ago and kill off the dinosaurs? 9 The Nature of Impacts and Their Impacts on Nature How do we know that rocks in space have hit the Earth many times, and how dangerous are these events? 3 Did Tibet Cool the Earth? Scientists investigate the controversy linking the rise of the Tibetan plateau with changes in the Earth’s climate. 6 Volcanoes and the Atmosphere Evidence that volcanic eruptions can change the Earth’s climate and could even have contributed to the death of the dinosaurs. 2 Biosphere 2 (30 minutes) Following the attempt to create a mini-Earth inside a massive glass bubble in the Arizona Desert. 10 Daisyworld Exploring the Gaia Hypothesis - James Lovelock’s controversial theory on how the planet resists life-threatening changes. 5 The Cretaceous Greenhouse: A Surfeit of Carbon 130 million years ago the Earth’s atmosphere contained phenomenal quantities of carbon dioxide. But where did it all come from? 8 The Cretaceous Greenhouse World: Poles Apart (50 minutes) How plants and their fossils can give detailed information about the Earth’s climate during one of its most fascinating periods - the Cretaceous. 4 Rapid Climate Change (30 minutes) Three of the UK’s leading Quaternary Scientists visit some of their former research sites to explain the effects of climate change. 1 Earth, Life and Humanity (30 minutes) A richly illustrated programme discussing the issues surrounding earth and life. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. S280 - Science Matters This course covers well-publicised topics that will influence our future, such as climate change, nuclear power and genetic engineering, and examines the nature and strength of the scientific facts and opinions that underlie them. Prog no. Title 1/2 Apples, Risks and Recriminations A look back at the controversy over the use of Alar by apple growers. 2 Relative Risk - The Human Genome Project The “Big Science” biology project offered hope for sufferers of genetic diseases, but also raised concerns about new forms of discrimination.
58 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details 3 Acid Politics After more than 20 years of sometimes acrimonious debate, Britain has signed an agreement to help reduce acid rain. So did good science win out in the end? 4 Does Science Matter? Many British people don’t appear to know that the Earth goes around the Sun. Does this scientific ignorance really matter? Programmes are 50 minutes duration. S281 - Astronomy and Planetary Science Prog no. Title 1 Our Invisible Sun There’s more to the Sun than meets the eye - studying the entire spectrum of radiation reveals invisible magnetic forces at work. 6/2 Mapping the Milky Way (30 minutes) How a century of scientific discovery has gradually unveiled the secrets of our own galaxy. 2 Good Seeing A look at the largest optical telescopes on Earth which are now using sophisticated technology to ‘see’ better through the atmosphere. 3 Cosmic Recycling The birth and death of stars - cosmic recycling on a grand scale. 4 Venus Unveiled The surface of Earth’s twin planet remained hidden for centuries. But while recent stunning pictures have provided some answers, scientists are now faced with a new set of problems. 5/2 Design for an Alien World (30 minutes) Following the fortunes of a team of space scientists as they develop experiments to work on the surface of Titan. 7/2 Jets and Black Holes How science is exploring some of the most mysterious phenomena in the Universe. 8 Cosmology on Trial How did the Universe begin and how will it end? Cosmologists, astronomers and physicists are getting closer to the answers. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. S292 - Explaining the Emergence of Humans The course is about the evolution of the human species and the evidence of human origins. This is a fast- moving area of research, as each new fossil that is discovered adds to our knowledge and may alter the picture we have of the evolution of the ancestors. Prog no. Title 1 The Lapedo Child The 25,000 year old remains of a child begin a ground breaking and controversial forensic investigation into modern human ancestry. Programme is 50 minutes duration. S320 - Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases is an exciting new course that shows how the causes and control of diseases can be understood only with reference to a range of biological information in the appropriate social context. You will learn not only about the biology of the agents of disease, but also how they interact with their human hosts, including the extraordinary responses of the human immune system. Prog no. Title 1 In Search of Syphilis The skeleton of one victim is giving scientists new insights into the origins of the “Great Pox”, which swept through Europe at the end of the 15th Century. Programme is 30 minute duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 59 S324 - Animal Physiology This course aims to illustrate some of the recent advances in whole-animal physiology. It examines ways in which the physiological systems of a whole organism are co-ordinated to enable it to survive in different environments, and aims to advance critical skills in relation to major physiological principles. Prog no. Title 00/2 Galapagos: Research in the Field (30 minutes) How animal physiologists are working to help ensure the survival of the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. 13 Sunbaskers Although they can’t heat themselves, reptiles are by no means cold-blooded. 4 A Winter Sleep How there’s more to hibernation than just ‘sleeping off’ the winter. 16 Seal Secrets A look at the physiology behind the diving abilities and feeding habits of grey, common and elephant seals. 14 Breathing Deeply Taking a breather takes on new meaning when we move outside our normal climes and try to survive at great height or great depth. 6/2 Wild Moves - Land (30 minutes) Chris Packham shows how animals from elephants to kangaroos tackle the challenges they face when moving about on land. 8/2 Wild Moves - Water (30 minutes) Ever wondered why fish are, well, fish-shaped? Chris Packham explores the weird and wonderful life that lives beneath the waves. 9/2 Wild Moves - Air (30 minutes) Flying isn’t just for the birds. Chris Packham takes to the air to show how all kinds of animals fly. 11/2 Test Tube Miracle? (30 minutes) The infertility treatment ICSI seems to break all the rules of evolution. So what’s the cost of making babies? 15 A Time to be Born A baby’s first breath is just the beginning of its battle to survive in a new environment. 5 Listening in the Dark Unravelling the biology of one of the most commercially important fish - the herring. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. S328 - Ecology Ecology is an important part of biology and encompasses all aspects of the interactions of organisms with one another and with their environment. This course examines the biological principles that are the basis for analysing and understanding ecological situations, and covers five topics – organisms and interactions, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems, and humans and ecology. Prog no. Title 2 Rocky Shores: Life on the Edge Exploring the rocky coasts of the UK - battle-grounds in which seaweeds and animals compete for their place. 1 Tropical Forest: The Conundrum of Coexistence Ecologists explore the rich diversity of plants and animals in a small tropical rainforest. 4/2 Managing for Bio-diversity: Forests in Trinidad (30 minutes) How can trees be chopped down without causing permanent damage to forests. Trinidad shows the way. 3 The Big Picture From hay meadows in the Pennines to rain-forests in Brazil, images from space are putting ecologists in the picture about changes on a global scale.
60 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details 5 Hubbard Brook: The Chemistry of a Forest A forest in America is providing ecologists with a unique record of how local and global environmental changes affect a complete ecosystem. 6 Norfolk Broads: Conservation v Commercialism This programme shows some of the practical ways in which the Broads Authority are improving the ecology of the open water, preserving the banks, and managing the landscape of Britain’s largest wetland. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. S330 - Oceanography Prog no. Title 00 Oceanography: Introduction Understanding the oceans and how they interact with our atmosphere may be crucial to our survival on Earth. Programme is 50 minutes duration. S342 - Physical Chemistry: Principles of Chemical Change The course’s main theme is an examination of the general chemical principles that govern whether, how and in what conditions substances will react with one another. These principles are derived from two of the most important cornerstones of physical chemistry: thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Another aim of the course is to stress the practical importance of the principles, not only in the chemical industry but also in material science and in the environment. Prog no. Title 1/2 Ozone: The Hole Story From its first discovery to the present day - the scientific story of ozone depletion over the Arctic and Antarctic. 2 A Clean Get-Away! How a research team developed a new kind of catalyst for cleaning up vehicle exhausts. 3 Fighting Rust in your Car Investigating how chemical reactions, such as cars rusting, affect everyone’s daily lives. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. S343 - Inorganic Chemistry Prog no. Title 10 Elements of Healing The ancient Egyptians knew the healing value of metals, but as recent scientific discoveries show, there’s still much to find out. Programme is 30 minutes duration. S365 - Evolution Prog no. Title 1 Reindeer in the Arctic: A Study in Adaptation Looking at two species of reindeer which have evolved to survive in extremely cold environments. 2 Why do Peacocks have Elaborate Trains? Research at Whipsnade Zoo and in Rajasthan provokes questions and provides answers about the way peahens choose their mate. 10 Sexual Selection and Speciation How do new biological species form? One answer is provided by research on Hawaiian flies - the picture wings. 5 Horses for Courses: An Evolutionary Radiation The story of the horse from 50 million years ago to the present time. Programmes are 25 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 61 SD805 - Brain and Behaviour Prog no. Title 1 The Ageing Files A ‘cosmic zoom’ through what scientific research can tell us about ageing at the molecular, genetic, cellular, physiological and psychological levels. 2 The Addiction Files A ‘cosmic zoom’ through what scientific research can tell us about addiction at the social, psychological, physiological, molecular and genetic levels. Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
SK220 - Human Biology and Health Prog no. Title 1 Sex and the Single Gene? Looking at recent research which suggests a possible link between homosexuality and genes. What might this mean for society? 2 The Art of Breathing An exploration of the intimate relationships between breathing and heart-rate, physiological demands, emotions and the conscious mind. 3 Food: Whose Choice is it Anyway? Four short stories about eating illustrate why food choices can’t be taken at face value. 4 Healing the Whole What’s the physiological basis for healing and what role do our emotions play in the process? Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
ST240 - Our Chemical Environment This course reveals ideas that lie behind things that affect your everyday life. Is the irradiation of food a good or bad thing? How are drugs designed to have fewer side effects? Why do we need special plastic containers for the microwave and how are they made? What happens to your body on a carbohydrate- free diet? Why do washing powders wash whiter at lower temperatures and leave colours bright? How can chemistry help to restore “old masters”? These are just a few of the questions explored, showing us how chemistry has helped to shape the world in which we live and how chemists are trying to understand it. Prog no. Title 1 The Chemistry of Creation How chemistry helps to explain the world and, the big one, life itself. 2 The Chemistry of the Invisible Exploring the imagined landscape of a chemist’s world. 3 The Chemistry of Creativity Exploring the complex relationship between art and science. 4 The Chemistry of Survival A look at the art of staying alive with a chemical slant. 5 The Chemistry of Power Exploring the double-edged relationship between chemical knowledge and military, commercial and political power. 6 The Chemistry of Life and Death A quirky exploration of the role of chemistry in our lives - and after. Programmes are 25 minutes duration.
62 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details Technology T173 - Engineering The Future Prog no. Title 1 The Challenge: To Build the Largest Water Garden in Europe A beautiful Duchess in a fairytale castle hires a hundred Geordie engineers and builders to construct a magnificent cascade. It was never going to be easy. 2 The Challenge: To Build the Fastest Round-the-World Yacht Would ‘Team Philips’ - an ultra-radical high-tech catamaran - reach the starting line of the round- the-world Millennium Race? 3 The Challenge: To Rebuild the Human Body Amputee volunteers try out technology at the forefront of bio-engineering for the first time replicating the body’s natural biology and movement. 4 The Challenge: The Riddle of the Tay Bridge Disaster Investigations into the causes of the collapse of a newly built rail bridge in 1879 are helping with today’s railway safety. 5 The Challenge: To Engineer a Million Hot competition for the prestigious New Designer award - but which industrial design student will end up with their products on the shop floor? Programmes are 30 minutes duration. T203 - Materials: Engineering and Science Prog no. Title 1 No Laybys at 35,000 Feet How materials are chosen for three vital parts of an aeroplane - the airframe, the tyres and the engine. 2 Catalysts Against Pollution Are high-tech solutions the right way to curb vehicle emissions? 8 Given Enough Rope Whether made of hemp, steel or plastic, the modern rope is a technical marvel. 3 Hidden Power When electricity supply cables are put underground, how do the materials differ from those used in pylons? 4 Inspection by Torchlight A priceless painting from the Victoria and Albert Museum is examined by materials scientists to explore the nature of colour and light. 5 Strike a Light How the humble electric light bulb is in fact the product of precision engineering materials. 9 Ships and Boats and Strain Using glass fibres to construct a ‘smart’ mast for an ocean yacht that can monitor the strains within itself. 7 Spanning Materials From Berwick upon Tweed to Newcastle and the Humber, how technical advances have changed the design of our bridges. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. T209 - Information and Communication Technologies Prog no. Title 1 Digital Being: Relationships Is technology a gift from the Gods? Does it keep us in chains, seeing shadows of reality on the walls of a cave? Questions pondered by Dr. Janet Radcliffe Richards, Jim Fitzgerald and Blay Whitby.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 63 2 Digital Being: Identity Will technology allow us to define and design our own identities? Can we obliterate our past, changing how we represent ourselves to the brave new world? Can a computer map our soul? 3 Digital Being: Imagination Computers are allowing architects and engineers to resolve complexity in an easier and faster way. Zaha Hadid and Hanif Tara explore the use of virtual space in building design. 4 Digital Being: Knowledge Is knowledge the same as information? Is the processing of information synonymous with creativity? Will we live in a world where everyone gives the same answers to life’s questions? 5 Digital Being: Spontaneity Can a computer ever replicate the complex patterns and interactions of nature? Or will the spontaneous chaos of our world remain in the physical realm? Will computers ever be able to dance? 6 Digital Being: Consciousness Could a machine ever win a Nobel Prize for its work? Professor Susan Greenfield and Professor Brian Greene explore the notion of consciousness, and speculate whether computers will ever achieve it. Programmes are 5 minutes duration. T235 - Engineering Mechanics: Solids Prog no. Title 1 Linkage Mechanisms Complicated mechanisms, such as an oil pumping rig and a JCB digger, made simple. 2 Free Body Diagrams How can diagrams help to predict the drag factor on a car? 3 Velocity Diagrams How diagrams showing a component’s speed can help to solve engineering problems. 4 Dynamic Analysis Looking at the action of a piston in an engine, and the motion of a sports car on a test track. 5 Structural Components How engineers can make sure that a new type of pylon won’t fail in service. 6 Work and Energy How energy can be stored in springs and flywheels, then released to do work. 7 Vibrations How car designers set about making sure their passengers always get a smooth ride. 8 Designing a Lift Two different types of lift illustrate the principle of engineering mechanics. Programmes are 25 minutes duration. T302 - Innovation: Design, Environment and Strategy Prog no. Title 1 Edison - The Invention of Invention The way Thomas Edison set about developing new products was perhaps even more important than the inventions themselves. Programme is 50 minutes duration. T305 - Digital Communications Prog no. Title 1/2 CyberTalk For thousands of years, people have stopped to talk - but the digital age is shifting the boundaries of our communities. 2/2 CyberWar The war of the future won’t just be about bombs and bullets but information, the attacker a computer hacker bent on destruction.
64 Visit www.ouw.co.uk for more details 3 Fighting for Space Increasing demands on the radio spectrum for commercial operations are threatening the future of large areas of scientific research. 4 Never Mind the Quality? Viewers could be in for a bumpy ride as digital television and the rapid expansion of the world wide web change the face of broadcasting forever. 5 African Renaissance Looking at a South African government initiative using cell-phones to improve access to communications in the country’s poorest areas. 6/2 CyberSouls When we can talk across continents and enter virtual realities, could the human body eventually become redundant? 7/01 Attack on the Wires What happens when the worst terrorist attack in history strikes the densest cluster of communication networks on the planet? Following the tragic events of September 11th vital communication networks faced unprecedented technological challenges. Programmes are 30 minutes duration.
University U205 - Health and Disease Science This course is aimed at those with a broad interest (professional or lay) in some of the major contemporary issues concerning health and disease, both in the UK and the rest of the world. Prog no. Title 1 Why Me? Why Now? Considering the variety of attitudes that people have towards health and illness. 16 Brief Encounter A look at medical encounters from both the doctor’s and patients’ perspective. 15 Therapies on Trial Do complementary therapies work more by the power of suggestion than through the remedies themselves? Homeopathy is put to the test. 14/2 Bloodlines - A Family Legacy? (30 minutes) How much difference has the human genome project made to the fight against disease? 18 First Steps to Autonomy A look at the environmental, biological and psychological influences that affect the health of babies. 17 Accumulating Years and Wisdom Experiencing ageing through the eyes of the elderly themselves. 21 Catching the Good Health Train (30 minutes) Tracking the Phelophepa health train as it winds its way through South Africa, bringing affordable healthcare to people in the country’s poorest rural communities. 10/3 Hospitals - Who Needs Them? (30 minutes) From telemedicine to virtual hearts - how new technologies are changing the who, where and how of healthcare delivery. 19 More Than Meets the Eye Turn a mirror on your attitude to normality and difference through the experiences of James and Mala who are facially disfigured. 20 A Future With AIDS (30 minutes) Positive stories from India, Zambia and Brazil about how they’re coping with AIDS. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 65 Bang Goes the Theory (see pages 9 and 11) U206 - Environment Prog no. Title 1 Valued Environments, Environmental Values (50 minutes) How campaigners in the 19th century fought to preserve the character of the English Lake District and Yosemite in California. 2 Forest Futures (50 minutes) An expedition to one of the last areas of tropical rainforest on the Malaysian mainland. 3 Living With Drought (50 minutes) Investigating what African people themselves are doing to solve the environmental crisis that many parts of the continent are facing. 4 Bangkok - A City Speaks What’s been the environmental cost of Bangkok’s drive for economic success? 5 No Place To Hide Assessing the cost of restoring parts of Ontario to their former glory after years of mineral extraction left them barren. 6 Danish Energy Denmark is reducing its need for fossil fuels by improving energy efficiency and finding alternatives. 7/2 The Heat is On Is global warming really threatening the habitability of the planet? 8/2 A Return to the Summit A look back to see what difference the UN’s 1992 Earth Summit in Rio has made to international environmental action. Unless otherwise stated, programmes are 25 minutes duration. U210 - The English Language This interdisciplinary course covers how we use English throughout our lives, and explores how much we really know about the English language, its structure, its history and its use. We also look at the development of English and its current use as an international language spoken by roughly 1,000 million people around the world. TV viewers who enjoyed the “Creature Comforts” animated advertisements will be particularly interested in programme four. Prog no. Title 1/2 An A to Z of English From A for accent to Z for zero - everything you wanted to know about the English language, but were afraid to ask .… 2/2 An English Accent What’s happening to Received Pronunciation, that English accent associated with prestige and privilege? 3 English Only in America? With the growing number of Spanish speakers in the U.S.A., some Americans want the use of English written into the Constitution. 4 Animated English - The Creature Comforts Story How the words of ordinary people were put into the mouths of clay animals to produce a successful series of adverts. 5 The Golden Thread A lyrical look at how language travels down the generations in Singapore and Wales. 6 An English Education Examining the controversy over using English to teach some of the children in one Indian city. 7 News Stories Trainee journalists and ‘The Day Today’ team talk about the way television news gets made. 8/2 English, English Everywhere More than a billion people around the world now speak English, but at what cost to the language itself? Programmes are 25 minutes duration.
For regular programme updates e-mail [email protected] 67 Published 2012 by Open University Worldwide
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All images © BBC, except red car © Patrick Gosling and Paul Barshon, statue of Mary © Arpad Benedek and welsh knight © BBC Cymru Wales. Open University Learning Resources As a viewer of Open University television programmes, you will know their value as an effective and time-saving teaching aid. However, you may not be aware that you can also purchase Open University self study workbooks, non-broadcast support videos and software which you can also use in your teaching. Thousands of Open University learning resources can be searched and bought online at www.ouw.co.uk. Contact Us: Open University Worldwide Michael Young Building The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel: 01908 858785 Fax: 01908 858787 E-mail: [email protected]
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