Cardiff University is a public research university located in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. The University is composed of three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Engineering.
Every day we read or hear about new health research that looks at what might help or harm, limit or extend our lives. Health research is big business and over a million papers are published every year on health-related topics. So how do we find the evidence we need and, more importantly, how do we judge how good that evidence is?Over four weeks, this free online course will:look at what factors make some evidence less reliable;provide practical help on how to find the best evidence;improve your understanding of health research and its terminology; andgive you some simple tools to help judge whether you can believe it.The issues raised in this course are examined in a series of weekly case studies. These provide a framework to discuss wider issues in health research. Topics include the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, the use of drugs in pregnancy and the impact of dehydration on how well we function.As part of the course, we will be developing a resource bank that points you to sources of good evidence throughout the world. We would like you to participate in this process by identifying the best evidence-based health resources in your country and acting as a quality checker.The team of educators on the course come from a range of disciplines, including health, social sciences and journalism, and teach courses at all levels on how to understand research and use it effectively.You might want to sign up for this course if:you, a member of your family or a friend have a medical condition, so you can understand the evidence for various treatment or management options;you are applying to study a health-related subject at university;you have a general interest in the topic and want to improve your knowledge; oryou are involved as a lay (non-expert) member of a research committee or advisory panel.The only requirement is having an interest in the topic. So if you want to understand why not all evidence is good evidence, and learn how to tell the difference, this course is for you.
##Islam is the second largest religion in the world today and dominates much of the current geopolitical discourse. People are increasingly bombarded by dramatic headlines, yet general knowledge of Muslims and their faith can be poor. There is consequently a need for a balanced and well-informed understanding of the current debates.This course uses Britain as a case study to shed light on wider issues. It reflects the work of the Islam-UK Centre at Cardiff University, the research that we have conducted and focuses on the everyday lives of Muslims in Britain.The course is open to anyone with an interest in religion, culture and history, whether you are a beginner, experienced learner or returning to study.
How do we achieve water security for everyone?Over the next 30 years it is estimated that 80% of the world’s population will live in areas with high levels of water scarcity.How do we manage this so that we can ensure global water security for both people and ecosystems?On this course, you’ll have an introduction to the challenges of water security and find out why human activity and environmental issues are putting increasing pressure on our water resources.You’ll explore the physical, biological and social facets connecting to water security around the globe, where you live, and what can be done to achieve water security for all.This course is aimed at anyone interested in global water security, but it may be of particular interest to water research professionals and students studying science.
Community journalism is a growing area of interest for professional journalists, academics and the wider public. The decline of local newspapers and radio stations, coupled with the low cost of publishing online, means there are more community journalism and hyperlocal websites being launched everyday.Launch your own community or hyperlocal siteWhether you want to launch and support your own site - or simply study this new media sector - this free online course will give you both useful insights and practical skills.Community journalism is an area that combines elements of traditional journalism with the new opportunities brought about by digital and social media, so we’ll look at:setting up a community websiteexploring different forms of community – local, professional or personalidentifying and building an audiencecreating content and establishing a workflow to sustain the siteusing Wordpress, Twitter and Facebookmanaging an online communityand abiding by media law and ethics.Learn with the UK’s first community journalism centreYou’ll learn with the UK’s first academic Centre for Community Journalism, launched by Cardiff University in 2013 to help nurture and study this growing sector.This will give you a broader understanding of the field and how it’s developed, as well as insights into the experiences of those already operating community sites.Join other learners who’ve launched their own sitesThis course first ran in April 2014 and many learners went on to start or improve their own hyperlocal sites, such as Cwmbran Life and EastGrinsteadOnline.You can find out more about this course in Richard Sambrook’s blog post: “Community journalism: launch your own local news service.” Or read a review of this course by a learner at Class Central.This course is open to anyone with an interest in journalism or social and digital media, and in connecting their communities online. No prior qualifications are required.We’ll cover core journalism principles, skills and practice as part of the course, as well as hands-on skills in creating and sustaining hyperlocal sites.Practicing journalists or more experienced students will be particularly interested in learning about current developments in hyperlocal and community journalism in the digital environment.
Discover how extreme geological events have transformed our planet.Retrace how Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago and has evolved to become the planet we know today.On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the geological history of planet Earth, and explore the extreme events that shaped it and created conditions for life.You’ll learn about the largest floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and explore the impact they have had and will continue to have on our dynamic planet.Finally, you’ll discuss the likelihood of extreme events happening in the future and how we can deal with the risks and hazards.This course is designed for anyone interested in the geological history of Earth, but may be of particular interest to students looking to study Earth Science.
Explore what it means to communicate in multiple languages.Translation is one of the most fundamental of human activities, allowing us to interact with one another within and across cultures.Drawing on the research and expertise of specialists at Cardiff University and the University of Namibia, on this course, you will discover a wealth of practical tips and knowledge about the nature of translation in an increasingly multilingual world.You will explore translation in a global context, and observe translation in healthcare and the justice system as well as in music, manga, video games and historical romances. You may even discover your own ‘inner translator’ in the process!This course is for anyone interested in language and translation.