History, Culture & Writing
Explore our extraordinary range of History, Culture and Writing courses and lectures. We offer both introductory and specialist in-depth courses to suit all levels of interest and experience, from ‘How to read a film’ and World literature, to writing creative non-fiction and American history and politics.
Study online from the comfort of home, with interactive classes that allow you to participate in discussions with fellow adult students. We offer daytime, evening and weekend courses, both short and long. For more information, please see our guide to online learning.
Our tutors are experts in their fields and experienced educators; many have published, teach in universities or share their expertise in the media. Tutors share their knowledge and passion through presentations, readings, interactive discussion and exercises, analysis, and other activities.
Many students return to take more courses, telling us they enjoy being part of our City Lit Learning community.
Our popular courses often sell out quickly, so we invite you to browse and book your place online now.
- City Lit gift vouchers - the perfect gift
Looking for that perfect present? Treat someone to the gift of learning with a course at City Lit. Available from £10, our gift vouchers can be used to book a place on any of our courses, from London walks and food tasting to museum visits, poetry and much more. Simply purchase your voucher and the recipient can choose from thousands of courses, at a time which suits them.From £10.00 - The Reconstruction Period in United States history: 1865 - 1877Course Date: Sun 13 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
In the aftermath of America’s bloodiest war, how did the nation and its leaders repair and rebuild its government, society and economy. The reforms and changes went far in some ways and not far enough in many others.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £45.00 - The Heights of DickensCourse Date: Sun 13 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Follow in Charles Dickens’ footsteps in a virtual walk from Highgate to the hamlet of North End on the border with Hampstead and Hampstead Garden Suburb. We see houses that Dickens stayed in; learn about his friendships; see inspirations for David Copperfield and peep into Highgate Cemetery where several members of the Dickens family were buried. We will pay a visit to the Spaniard’s Inn featured in the Pickwick Papers and continue with Bill Sikes' journey in Oliver Twist from Highgate Hill across the grounds of Kenwood towards North End and Hendon.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £9.00 Senior fee £9.00 Concession £9.00 - The Agony of History: Why the past matters in 'The Sound and the Fury'Course Date: Mon 14 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Faulkner's powerful portrayal of 1920s South examines the weight of familial and cultural history. This lyric and tragic study of tormented sibling relationships, racial tensions, gender roles and suicide requires careful attention; we will work through the density together while coming into a clearer understanding of the American South post-Civil War. The long shadow of slavery and ante-bellum Southern culture continues to exert its power—and Faulkner goes into the darkness to illustrate this world.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £48.00 - Representations of femininity in contemporary Independent American cinemaCourse Date: Tue 15 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Mainstream cinema is dominated by male directors and protagonists. American independent cinema, with new ways to produce and distribute film, has increased the female voice in cinema. This course will examine what cinema looks like from a female point of view and how indie cinema has become so important in representing women.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £60.00 - Modern France: from de Gaulle and the Resistance to MacronCourse Date: Tue 15 Jun 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
(Re)discover France's complex politics during the Fourth and Fifth Republics, and the social challenges and tensions the country faced both at times of growth and modernisation and of crisis and doubts.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £61.00 - Writing villanellesCourse Date: Wed 16 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Do not go gentle into that good night; write villanelles that rage, rage against the dying light. This interactive day workshop teaches students about the origins of the form popularized by Dylan Thomas, Emily Bishop and Sylvia Plath, and explores methods of manipulating the villanelle in new, subversive ways.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £36.00 - Further village LondonCourse Date: Wed 16 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
A further five walks around London's former villages - Hampstead, Highgate, Archway, Fitzrovia and Soho.
Why did these areas grow up as villages and how did they become swallowed up by the city of London?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £26.00 - Shakespeare's Women: Rosalind, Ophelia & Lady MacbethCourse Date: Thu 17 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
This online Literature course will look at three of Shakespeare’s female characters: Rosalind (As You Like It), Ophelia (Hamlet) and Lady Macbeth (Macbeth). We will consider their wit, madness and ambition, exploring Shakespeare’s language, the historical context, and the plays in performance.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £42.00 - Theme focus: writing sex, love, and sexualityCourse Date: Sat 19 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made
anew." -Ursula Le K. Guin. Learn how to write compelling representations of all kinds of love, sex, and sexuality on this supportive course designed to support those writing in any creative form.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Plot your children's novel in two daysCourse Date: Sat 19 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
You’re a writer with some experience and a great idea for a children’s novel. Spend two days in this interactive workshop, learning about structure and developing your idea into a compelling plot.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Performance poetryCourse Date: Sat 19 Jun 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Write poetry and perform it, finding your own style and delivery under the guidance of a spoken word artist. Explore the differences between performance and other forms of poetry.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £24.00 - Writing the queer playCourse Date: Sat 19 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Explore the queer play on this short course for playwrights. In the workshop you will be given opportunities to construct your own queer characters giving you the tools and confidence to write the stories that you want to tell.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the Oulipo: a tasterCourse Date: Sat 19 Jun 2021
Location on this date: Online
Does your writing need a boost of inspiration? How about counter-intuitively imposing constraints on yourself? Learn about the ideas of the French Oulipo movement and see what happens when you experiment with interesting – and challenging – limitations!
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £8.00 - A taste of creative writingCourse Date: Sun 20 Jun 2021 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Give creative writing a try on this fun and supportive online short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination. Please note: this course has a 2-hr break from 12:30-14:30.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00
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