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.
- An introduction to poetryCourse start date: Sat 26 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laurie SmithAlways wanted to read and discuss poetry? Enjoy this introduction to a range of poetry from the last 400 years and explore how the poets shape our responses. - Emily Dickinson – ‘Open me carefully’
Course start date: Sat 30 Nov 2024Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laurie SmithWe explore how the myth of Emily Dickinson’s solitary life was shaped by others. The course investigates the reality behind the myth through letters and poems written to and shared with her great friend and confidante, Susan Gilbert, over many years. We also look at how and why her first editor, Mabel Loomis Todd, set about excluding Susan from the record, establishing Emily as a recluse, writing for herself alone.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Film studies taster Course start date: Sat 30 Nov 2024 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul SuttonLearn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - March 2025).Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - A taste of philosophy Course start date: Sat 7 Dec 2024 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Oliver JosiahHave you ever wondered what philosophy is? What do philosophers talk about? Can they tell you the meaning of life or is it just jargon and navel gazing? Come along and find out.
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 £19.00 - Literature taster Course start date: Sat 7 Dec 2024 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Patricia SweeneyDo you want to explore how to go about understanding a poem? How to do a close reading of a work of fiction? Come and find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special.
The course also presents an overview of our literature offering for term two in fiction, poetry, drama and literary non-fiction (January to April 2025).
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - What are Greek myths? Course start date: Sat 7 Dec 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Maria ContosMyth permeated all aspects of ancient society and much the same can be said today. Investigate the relevance and perseverance of the Greek myth and why these tales continue to fascinate. - Demystifying Tate Modern Course start date: Sat 7 Dec 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Mark Stuart-SmithGet 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 - An introduction to poetry: Robert Lowell and Stevie SmithCourse start date: Sat 18 Jan 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laurie SmithCome and join an introduction and exploration of the poetry of Robert Lowell and Stevie Smith. We will read, discuss and enjoy a selection of their poetry and consider how the poets shape our responses.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Conscience: a short historyCourse start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrew GreyJourney through the evolution of the fascinating idea of conscience over the past 2,000 years. Explore ancient and modern understandings of this universal phenomenon, drawing on insights from psychology, sociology, philosophy, theology and neuroscience.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
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