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.
Filters
- How to write a book about your expert knowledge
Learn to write about your specialist expertise in a way that will appeal to a wider reading audience.
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 £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Think like an artist: in 16th century Venice Course start date: Sun 26 Jan 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julia MusgraveFind out how the art of the mercantile republic of 16th century Venice reflects its unique location, trade routes and society. - Writing flash fiction: getting started Course start date: Sat 1 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Suzannah V. EvansFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.
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 £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Focus on: Dürer Course start date: Sun 2 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Leslie PrimoExplore the life, works, and legacy of one of the most innovative German artists of his time: Albrecht Dürer. See how he assimilated the art of Venice into his style and exploited the possibilities of print.
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 £45.00 - Study day: Rembrandt and 17th century printmaking Course start date: Sun 9 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Caroline RaeRembrandt, one of the most famous painters of the Dutch Republic, was also an innovative printmaker. He produced a large oeuvre of printed works, which in their expressive effect and astounding use of light can be considered artworks which rival his paintings. This course will offer a deep dive into Rembrandt’s practice and the seventeenth century Netherlands to explore how he experimented with the medium. Rembrandt as a collector of prints will also be discussed.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Designs of India at the V&A Course start date: Sun 9 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Anita ChowdryExplore the treasures of the V&A Nehru Gallery and its painting and the decorative arts from India between the 16th and 19th centuries.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - How to write a non-fiction book proposal Course start date: Sun 2 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick BarlayLearn how to write a compelling non-fiction book proposal on this interactive and informative short course, which will demystify the essentials to give your project the best chance of success.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - Cutting it fine: collage in modern & contemporary art Course start date: Sun 2 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Chantal CondronImmerse yourself in an exploration of the history of collage going as far back as ancient China to international contemporary art today. This engaging study day will enhance your knowledge of the roots of this fascinating media, and illustrate how collage techniques have been pivotal to major modern and contemporary art movements, from Cubism, Dada and Surrealism to photomontage and digital art.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Demystifying Tate Modern Course start date: Sun 19 Jan 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayGet an overview of Tate Modern with this straightforward and lively insight into the gallery’s current displays and the role of the gallery in the contemporary art world. #arthistory #tatemodern.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytales Course start date: Sat 8 Mar 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yvonne SinghOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.
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 £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Faith and the female image Course start date: Sun 9 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneExplore the V&A’s collections and see how Biblical figures, the Virgin Mary, female saints and Hindu and Buddhist deities have been depicted in various periods and cultures and learn about their importance and symbolism.
NB: This course will take place at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Focus on: iconography Course start date: Sun 16 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Leslie PrimoEver wondered whether there’s a hidden meaning behind paintings? Discover why there are signs and symbols in paintings and how to find and interpret their meanings in medieval and Renaissance art.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - A day at the National GalleryCourse start date: Sun 16 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresSpend a fascinating and enjoyable day at the National Gallery exploring a range of galleries. We shall be looking at the collection with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the art produced in different periods, countries and movements, as well as themes such as genres and iconography (decoding symbols).Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sun 30 Mar 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Henry MartinExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory online course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.
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 £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax and style for creative writers - getting started Course start date: Sun 27 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
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.
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 £79.00 Concession £40.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list