The existence and sustainability of human civilisation has reached a crisis point with the convergence of the impact of a number of factors.
These include climate change, developments in biotechnology, developments in artificial intelligence, increased migration from developing to developed countries and increases in global populations.
In this context, this course will evaluate the existence of human civilisation.
This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.
This course begins on the 16 Apr 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 23 Apr 2026, 5:00-6:00pm (UK time).
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: The Rise of Homo Sapiens
Week 3: Theories of Cognitive Development
Week 4: Climate Change
Week 5: Migration
Week 6: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Week 7: Quantum Computing and Nuclear Fusion
Week 8: Biotechnology
Week 9: Space Exploration and Space Travel
Week 10: Conclusion
Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online courses are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.
See more information on CATS points
Digital credentials
All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £360.00 |
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Sangaralingam Ramesh is an Economics Tutor in the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford and a Senior Teaching Fellow in Economics at University College London, UK. He has been an Associate Professor in Economics at the Université Paris Dauphine GBD and Economics Module Leader at Kings College London
This course aims to help to gain a better understanding of the four main factors which are converging on humanity in the contemporary world.
This course will enable students to:
Learning takes place on a weekly schedule. At the start of each weekly unit, students are provided with learning materials on our online platform, including one hour of pre-recorded video, often supplemented by guided readings and educational resources. These learning materials prepare students for a one-hour live webinar with an expert tutor at the end of each weekly unit which they attend in small groups. Webinars are held on Microsoft Teams, and provide the opportunity for students to respond to discussion prompts and ask questions. The blend of weekly learning materials that can be worked through flexibly, together with a live meeting with a tutor and their peers, maximise learning and engagement through interaction in a friendly, supportive environment.
By the end of this course, students will be expected to understand:
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
The Department's short online courses are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level. FHEQ level 4 courses require approximately 10 hours study per week, therefore a total of about 100 study hours.
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements
