Breaking Down the News: Autumn

Meet for 3 monthly classes (30/09/2026, 28/10/2026, 25/11/2026) and enjoy a deep discussion of current events, facilitated by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning Social Sciences teaching team.

In each session, we will discuss a key topic from recent global or local events, such as elections or war, or consider emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence or climate change.

Classes will consist of two hours of guided discussion, with an emphasis on sharing and discussing issues and events using some basic social science concepts and ideas. You teacher will share relevant articles and resources in advance of each session through the course online learning platform, alongside suggestions for exploring the topics further.

Please note that this course includes material and/or discussion of sensitive and potentially challenging topics that some learners may find upsetting.

Any recommended reading will be advised by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course you should be able to:

• Discuss academic texts related to current events and issues
• Understand and evaluate academic ideas in relation to current events
• Discuss underlying assumptions, evidence, and biases in the topics and sources covered in class. 

This course is open to everyone who is interested in diving deeper into current events and key issues. You do not need to have previous experience of studying social sciences.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.