Challenging Wealth and Income Inequality
Explore the concerns about rising wealth and income inequality between different generations in developed countries.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Challenging Wealth and Income Inequality
Have baby boomers had it all? Can we create a fair deal for everyone? Find out
From religious leaders to heads of state, everyone is talking about economic inequality. But what form does this take in different countries? What impact does it have on society? And why does it matter to you?
This online course will explore these growing concerns about wealth and income inequality.
You’ll scrutinise claims that the baby boomer generation has had it all, while social and political changes have left younger generations struggling.
You’ll examine the causes and implications of growing economic inequalities and what individuals, communities and governments can do about them.
What topics will you cover?
- What is meant by ‘inequality’ and how it is measured.
- Comparisons of inequality across countries, different groups of people and generations.
- Why inequality matters.
- Controversies around inequality.
- The causes, consequences, nature and impact of inequality, particularly with regard to housing and pensions.
- The implications of inequality for individual financial planning for home ownership and retirement saving.
- Potential actions that individuals, communities and wider society can take to reduce inequality.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply and make use of evidence to discuss the nature and existence of economic inequality.
- Explain the impact that government policies may have on inequality.
- Discuss the interplay between individuals, communities and the state in addressing inequalities.
- Demonstrate and understand some of the implications of inequality for individuals, society and the wider economy.
- Apply some personal financial planning techniques, particularly with regard to pensions and housing.
Who is the course for?
The course does not assume any prior knowledge of economics and can be enjoyed by anyone interested in social issues.
Who will you learn with?
Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Open University, working on impacts of public policy across various welfare regimes on gender and social inequalities and personal finance within households
Senior Lecturer in Economics and Personal Finance, The Open University. Also a freelance personal finance researcher, working with many UK consumer-facing organisations and author of over 25 books.
Who developed the course?
The Open University
As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
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| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 4 weeks |
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| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Ways to learn
Subscribe to Unlimited to access this course and thousands of other short courses or buy just this course for extra benefits. Or, join with limited access.
Subscribe to Unlimited
$27.99/month
Automatically renews
Access thousands of courses
- Access to this course
- Access to ALL eligible short courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Buy this course
$54
One-off payment
Unlock your expertise
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Join with limited access
Free
Try before you buy
- Limited access to course content for 4 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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