Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to the life, artistry, and global impact of Paul Robeson (1898–1976). A singer, actor, scholar, athlete, and activist, Robeson became one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. We will explore his extraordinary artistic achievements on stage and screen, his resonant bass‑baritone singing career, and his lifelong commitment to social justice. Placing his work within the wider political and cultural contexts of his time, this session traces how Robeson used his voice—literally and figuratively—to advocate for civil rights, international solidarity, and human dignity.
What will we cover?
• Early life, education, and the making of a polymath • Robeson’s singing career: vocal style, repertoire, and global reach • Theatre and film: Othello, Show Boat, and groundbreaking stage roles • Robeson as activist: civil rights, labour movements, and international advocacy • The political pressures he faced and his resilience • Robeson’s legacy in music, theatre, and social history
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand Paul Robeson’s significance as an artist and public figure • Identify the key stages of his career across music, theatre, film, and activism • Appreciate the social and political contexts that shaped his life • Discuss Robeson’s influence on later generations of performers and activists
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of Robeson, music history, or theatre studies is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in 20th‑century culture, performance, or social history will be helpful, but not essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen to take your own notes. All other materials will be provided by the tutor.
Pauline Greene studied composition at Nottingham University and then composed, performed and was Musical Director with various theatre companies. She taught flute and composition, performing her music across the UK at various venues, including the Southbank Centre and the Edinburgh Festival, with her group The Concert Party, which she managed and directed. She has taught at the Universities of Middlesex and Hertfordshire, and ran the Music Access course at Morley College. She taught at Birkbeck from 1984-2023, moving from Music to Arts Management, and currently lectures on the MA in Events and Experience Management at Goldsmiths. She has given talks at the Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall and Glyndebourne. At City Lit Pauline teaches a wide range of music history courses, with specialisms in opera, music for dance, theatre and film, musical analysis, and music since 1900. She is still involved in the organisation of small-scale charity concerts and one-off musical events, and she sings and plays with several small groups.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-artists-paul-robeson3034546Great artists: Paul Robesonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/paul_robeson_1942_crop_square.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Discover the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable cultural figures.</p>003034402Great artists: Paul Robeson3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/paul_robeson_1942_crop_square_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-12-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allDec 2026Performing artsMD701A3939Great artists: Paul Robeson393939Pauline Greenegreat-artists-paul-robeson/md701a-2627<p>Discover the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable cultural figures.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-08 00:00:00<p>This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to the life, artistry, and global impact of Paul Robeson (1898–1976). A singer, actor, scholar, athlete, and activist, Robeson became one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. We will explore his extraordinary artistic achievements on stage and screen, his resonant bass‑baritone singing career, and his lifelong commitment to social justice. Placing his work within the wider political and cultural contexts of his time, this session traces how Robeson used his voice—literally and figuratively—to advocate for civil rights, international solidarity, and human dignity.</p><p>Discover the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable cultural figures.</p><p>• Early life, education, and the making of a polymath<br/>• Robeson’s singing career: vocal style, repertoire, and global reach<br/>• Theatre and film: Othello, Show Boat, and groundbreaking stage roles<br/>• Robeson as activist: civil rights, labour movements, and international advocacy<br/>• The political pressures he faced and his resilience<br/>• Robeson’s legacy in music, theatre, and social history</p><p>• Understand Paul Robeson’s significance as an artist and public figure<br/>• Identify the key stages of his career across music, theatre, film, and activism<br/>• Appreciate the social and political contexts that shaped his life<br/>• Discuss Robeson’s influence on later generations of performers and activists</p><p>No prior knowledge of Robeson, music history, or theatre studies is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in 20th‑century culture, performance, or social history will be helpful, but not essential.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.Please bring a notebook and pen to take your own notes. All other materials will be provided by the tutor.City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programmetarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>. You may also be interested in courses in modern history, art, ideas, German culture, etc.MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD701ANONETue08/12/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetPauline GreeneBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-12-08T00:00:00+00:00Dec 2026Performing arts3939Great artists: Paul Robesongreat-artists-paul-robeson/md701a-2627<p>Discover the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable cultural figures.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-08 00:00:00<p>This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to the life, artistry, and global impact of Paul Robeson (1898–1976). A singer, actor, scholar, athlete, and activist, Robeson became one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. We will explore his extraordinary artistic achievements on stage and screen, his resonant bass‑baritone singing career, and his lifelong commitment to social justice. Placing his work within the wider political and cultural contexts of his time, this session traces how Robeson used his voice—literally and figuratively—to advocate for civil rights, international solidarity, and human dignity.</p><p>Discover the life and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable cultural figures.</p><p>• Early life, education, and the making of a polymath<br/>• Robeson’s singing career: vocal style, repertoire, and global reach<br/>• Theatre and film: Othello, Show Boat, and groundbreaking stage roles<br/>• Robeson as activist: civil rights, labour movements, and international advocacy<br/>• The political pressures he faced and his resilience<br/>• Robeson’s legacy in music, theatre, and social history</p><p>• Understand Paul Robeson’s significance as an artist and public figure<br/>• Identify the key stages of his career across music, theatre, film, and activism<br/>• Appreciate the social and political contexts that shaped his life<br/>• Discuss Robeson’s influence on later generations of performers and activists</p><p>No prior knowledge of Robeson, music history, or theatre studies is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in 20th‑century culture, performance, or social history will be helpful, but not essential.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.Please bring a notebook and pen to take your own notes. All other materials will be provided by the tutor.City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programmetarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>. You may also be interested in courses in modern history, art, ideas, German culture, etc.MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
