Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses
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 Creative non-fiction writing courses and American history and Politics courses.
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 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.Full fee £10.00 - Art and critical theory: vision and gazeCourse start date: Tue 22 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the role of critical theory within the field of art history, and learn new ways of thinking about art by focusing on the topics of vision and gaze.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £110.00 - America and the World 1945-2001 Course start date: Wed 23 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dafydd TownleyThis interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £110.00 - Modern France: from the Paris Commune to the Vichy Regime Course start date: Thu 24 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinAfter uncertain beginnings, the Third republic managed to survive numerous crises until the defeat of 1940 sealed its fate. Re(discover) this exciting period, its actors and how their policies shaped modern France. - The Great (European) Powers and the creation of the Middle East, 1914-1948 Course start date: Thu 24 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinHow and why did the countries of the Middle East emerge, and what were the consequences of that process? What was the role of Britain and France? What impact did the US and the USSR have on the region?Full fee £289.00 Senior fee £289.00 Concession £188.00 - The French colonial Empire and its demise Course start date: Thu 24 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinWhy did France acquire a vast colonial empire and how was it run? Why was decolonisation peaceful in some parts while in Indochina and Algeria, independence was only gained after violent wars? What were the consequences of decolonisation?Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Global History Friday Lates: The Medieval Spice Trade Course start date: Fri 25 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingJoin our Global History Friday Late session to discover how spice became the most valuable trade commodity in the pre-modern world that would ultimately lead to the discovery of America.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Study day: Turner & Romanticism Course start date: Sun 27 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersExplore Romanticism as an international movement, focusing on Turner as its key example, considering issues such as social change, biography, material experimentation and artistic and theoretic interests. Includes visit to the National Gallery.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Everyday Life in London 1350-1500Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingWhere and how did Londoners live? What did they eat and drink? What illnesses did they suffer from, how were they treated and how did they deal with sanitation? These and other questions will be addressed on this course.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £129.00 - Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs: part 4: module 3Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hugo CookImprove your ability to read texts in hieroglyphs and gain (or continue to gain) a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian literature and culture. Suitable for those who have attended part 4: module 2 of the hieroglyphs course but also for those who have an equivalent level of knowledge.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £136.00 - Understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nomaan HanifTrace the historical roots of this conflict and study the peace process of the 1990s: Madrid talks, Oslo agreement, Camp David talks, the recent Middle Eastern road map and the latest diplomatic and political developments on this stimulating interactive lecture course. Tutor: Noman Hanif. - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - US history for beginnersCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dafydd TownleyThis online course offers a brief examination of, and introduction to, the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of the United States, 1608 - 2001.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00 - Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscapeCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yasmin HalesThis is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment. - Craft focus: grammar, syntax, and style for creative writers Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyGreat poetry and prose begin when the writer puts the right words in the right places. Learn how and why the rules and conventions of language matter in this new course, which combines creative writing with a review of essential points of grammar.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £100.00
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