The Open University

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Swirly Chaser

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Has anyone ever studied at The Open University? If so, how did you find it (not geographically, obviously).

Is it a good alternative to actually going to a University?

I begin a course on Feb 5th 2005 and I have to say I am both excited and apprehensive.
 
I signed up for a short course a couple of years back but didn't complete it due to lack of time and a lack of motivation I guess. You need to be able to dedicate quite a lot of time to studying so you have to be self disciplined enough to know you'll give it the time it needs. The materials you receive are pretty comprehensive & I was impressed with them. I've heard a lot of good reports about the OU too.
 
My Mom finished her degree from the OU this year and found it enjoyable and challenging.
 
You won't. You're inattentive and lazy, have poor self-esteem and are totally unmotivated, other than by whim and fancy. You have the attention span of a gnat, and will spend the first week criticizing your tutors and your material. In the second week you will write foully abusive letters to the OU executive and will be disbarred from this and any other OU course. Your name will be circulated to all seats of learning to debar you from entry, and you will come to no good.

Now, if that doesn't encourage the young whippersnapper, nothing will!
 
If you ask me all degrees should be done OU style. When I attended Glasgow University about 5 hours a day was wasted between travelling time and sitting through 3 one hour lectures which consisted of the lecturer copying notes out of a book onto the blackboard while students copied them onto a piece of paper. I would then go home and tear up the notes because they were in the book anyway.
 
Sounds like it's better still to be a lecturer for the OU! The words rope, old, money and for come together in some sort of sequence.
 
Well, here we go then.

The course begins on Feb 5th and goes right through until October.

I have just received my course materials and I must say I am impressed by the efficiency of the OU so far.

However, I do not have a clue what anything means.

What's a "constitution"?

Here is my first assessment - due in on the 9th March

Explain the basis on which the common law might classify rights and statutes as "constitutional". Consider whether it would be useful or problematic to do so.

Consider whether what would be useful or problematic to do so. That just went right over my head.

What the heck does that even mean? Can someone help?
 
Unfortunately, yes.

I seem to have a mental blockage with regards to all this stuff.
 
Seriously, one of the reasons that the OU was founded was so that people who had not been able or willing to follow the path of sixth form education would have an opportunity to obtain a degree in later life. Against that, a certain amount of interest in and knowledge of the subject that is being studied at degree level is a pre-requisite. Certainly obtaining a dictionary definition of "constitution" or "constitutional" is going to be little help in explaining "The basis on which the common law might classify rights and statutes as "constitutional"and considering "Whether it would be useful or problematic to do so".

I am pretty sure that you are joking, Phil, and I'm sure you're aware of the above.
 
Well, buying or borrowing one would be a good start. I can't see how you could undertake a course about a profession which specializes in arcane and abstruse use of language without an unabridged edition. The OU should be able to recommend one.
 
Right, well I'm off out to post my first assignment in which I explain the basis on which the common law might classify rights and statutes as "constitutional". :D

I have explained this in 708 words.

Wish me luck.
 
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