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.
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- Art history taster
Course start date: Fri 6 Dec 2024 (and 10 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayCurious about art history? Join us for this taster session where we explore different ways into visual art and its histories, from the ancient to the contemporary.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - The varied styles of the Italian Renaissance: through the lens of Pontormo and Masaccio Course start date: Tue 15 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Emma Rose BarberAn in-depth online discussion about two artists that represent to different styles of the Italian Renaissance, but who may have more in common than we think.
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 £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Tuesday talks: Lubaina Himid – longing and belonging Course start date: Tue 15 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Chantal CondronThis Tuesday afternoon art history course spotlights the work of artist Lubaina Himid, one of Britain's most thought provoking artists.
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 £15.00 Concession £12.00 - US Election Countdown: 3 weeks outCourse start date: Thu 17 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mark MalcomsonAs we approach the most important US Election in modern times, we will explore what is happening nationally and also on a state-by-state basis. We will reference election history to give context to give and understanding of what is going on and hopefully give an idea of how things might evolve.
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 £12.00 - Masters of cinema: Wes AndersonCourse start date: Thu 17 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Graham Rinaldi“I have a way of filming things and staging them and designing sets. There were times when I thought I should change my approach but in fact, this is what I like to do. It’s sort of like my handwriting as a movie director.” Explore the signature style and adventurous cinema of Wes Anderson from coming of age films through stop motion animation to comedy dramas.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £32.00 - Adam Elsheimer, his secret art Course start date: Tue 22 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Emma Rose BarberThis is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.
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 £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Lunchtime lecture: Cezanne – from aspiring Impressionist to Post-Impressionist revolutionary Course start date: Wed 23 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julia MusgraveExplore the development of Cezanne revolutionary approach to painting, his techniques and motifs and some of the many artists whose work he influenced.
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 £7.00 - Friday lates: Magical modernism – modern art and the occult Course start date: Fri 25 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Christopher CollierDiscover Modern Art’s secret history: a mysterious melting-pot of mystic auras, magical colour theories, trances, alchemy and the spirit-physics of the 4th-dimension, hiding beneath the familiar stories of science, reason and industry.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - 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. - Lunchtime lecture: Vanitas, a matter of life and death Course start date: Thu 31 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayExplore the concept of vanitas in works of art from across time and place. Vanitas as a subject, an idea, helps us consider the temporary beauty of our world. Join us for a new perspective on an old subject.
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 £7.00 - US Election Countdown: one week outCourse start date: Thu 31 Oct 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mark MalcomsonAs we approach the most important US Election in modern times, we will explore what is happening nationally and also on a state-by-state basis. We will reference election history to give context to give and understanding of what is going on and hopefully give an idea of how things might evolve.
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 £12.00 - The meaning of light: symbolism and religious objects in world faiths Course start date: Sun 3 Nov 2024
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneJoin this museum tour to explore world religions and the objects associated with light, from different faiths and festivals. NB: This course will take place at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The meeting point is the V&A grand entrance. - Prostitution in Ancient Rome Course start date: Tue 5 Nov 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sean GabbThe oldest profession as practised among the Romans - not for the squeamish.
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 £12.00 - US Election: The ResultCourse start date: Thu 7 Nov 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mark MalcomsonTwo days after the election, we will explore what has happened and see where things stand. Analysing the results on a state by state basis will give us an idea of how the Democrats and Republicans have done both in terms of the Presidency and Congress.
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 £12.00 - Friday lates: The East India Company and the passion for chintz Course start date: Fri 8 Nov 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anita ChowdryExplore the story of how Indian painted and printed cottons became an important trade commodity for the Western domestic market, and the far-reaching impact of their design and manufacture.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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