Explore History, Politics & Economics
Whether you’re fascinated by the past, wishing to keep up to date with current affairs, or to develop a deeper understanding of democracy and capitalism, we have the course for you.
City Lit offers a wide range of history, politics and economics courses on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Our courses vary from skills-based courses on oral and family history projects, to the history of empire, the history of London and the study of global powers and international politics.
Gain critical thinking and analytical skills
Courses in the Humanities help you understand our world today, and the history that has informed the political, social and economic dynamics of modern times. Our courses, including short day courses, lectures and longer-term study over several weeks or whole terms, aim to inform you of the issues that interest and matter to you. Our courses also encourage the development of wider skills such as critical thinking and analysis, listening and discussion skills, and evidence-based interpretation.
Learn from expert tutors
Our tutors are experts in their fields and come from a range of backgrounds, and include academics, experienced educators, serving politicians, acclaimed authors and renowned guides.
Browse our range of courses below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome.
- The French Resistance during the Second World War
Course start date: Sat 2 Dec 2023Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinBehind the post-war myth, what was the French Resistance? Who resisted against Nazi occupation and the collaborationist Vichy regime, and why? How did de Gaulle emerge as its leader and used it to strengthen his power? - The Balkans: From Ottoman rule to the presentCourse start date: Sat 2 Dec 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin JorgensenTo many, the Balkans seems to be either a violent and incomprehensible region or a bunch of cheap holiday destinations. Join us to look beyond simplifying narratives of deep ethnic hatred and tourist imaginaries and explore the national and regional dynamics in the context of the the overlapping European, Russian and Ottoman/Turkish influences.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £30.00 - A taste of economics: South America in the global economyCourse start date: Mon 4 Dec 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ingrid Aguiar SchlindweinJoin us for a taste of South America's economic journey: colonization, industrialization, neoliberal reforms, regional integration, challenges, sustainability, and emerging opportunities for inclusive growth.
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 £8.00 Concession £7.00 - History taster: from one empire to another?Course start date: Thu 7 Dec 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin JorgensenJoin us for an introduction on to how to make sense of the British and American ways of seeking global dominance and the ways in which people have resisted as we see the (re-)emergence of China, India and Russia in global politics and economics.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Right wing extremism across Europe: a tasterCourse start date: Tue 12 Dec 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Angelos SeposIn the last decade, authoritarian populism and extremism has swept much of Europe and the world. What are its roots and why does it persist? Join Dr. Angelos Sepos to begin to explore the issue.
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 £8.00 Concession £7.00 - The West and the Multipolar World Order since 1989: a tasterCourse start date: Wed 13 Dec 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Angelos SeposThe abrupt end of bi-polarity in 1989 and the advent of US unipolarity has now been replaced by a volatile multipolar world order. What does this mean for the West? Join Dr. Angelos Sepos to begin to get a sense of these global changes.
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 £8.00 Concession £7.00 - 20th Century Britain: politics, culture and society 1939-1960 Course start date: Mon 8 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David FowlerExolring politics, culture and society from 1939 to 1960, the course is the 2nd in a new cycle of modern British history courses.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Before the election: Understanding the different political systems across the United KingdomCourse start date: Mon 8 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Online
Want to understand how the different political systems across the United Kingdom works? Join our tutor Natasha Ashman-Banks to explore!
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 £45.00 - The US and immigrationCourse start date: Mon 8 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dale Mineshima-LoweJoin us for a short workshop exploring the issues of migration and immigration in modern American history.Full fee £49.00 - Money – myths, magic, morals and markets Course start date: Mon 8 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christian MichelMoney is the most powerful energy in the world. Without understanding its nature, its function, where it comes from, and how to control it, it will badly burn us.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Jews in London from the 1650s to the 1950s: a closer lookCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David RosenbergThis course will provide an exploration of 300 years of Jewish life, culture and history in London from the small scale resettlement in the 1650s through to the 1950s when the borough of Hackney was home to London’s largest and most diverse Jewish community.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - The nasty Normans: 1066-1154 Course start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingThe Norman Conquest was arguably the most catastrophic event in English history. Changes in language and law are still with us today. We can thank the Normans for words like ‘murder’, the imposition of inheritance tax and haute cuisine!
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Global issues Course start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThrough the study of some of the key actors and main issues that affect people across continents, you will gain the skills and knowledge to analyse today’s world and the challenges we all face. - Transports of delight: London's railway stations Course start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon's stations see over 1 billion journeys annually, but the buildings themselves are often ignored. Explore a different station and environs each week, discovering the architecture, history, stories and future of these lifelines of London. The course starts with an initial zoom lecture followed by a series of walking tours.
This course will be delivered online and in person. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - South Bank and the Festival of Britain
Course start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Diane BursteinOn this virtual tour we go back to 1951 when the Festival of Britain took Londoners out of post war austerity to marvel at the latest innovations in art, design, industry and technology at a festival to celebrate the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Find out how this event was a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire South Bank which is today famous for its arts centre. We trace the surviving remnants of the festival including a mural by artist Topolski, two sculptures and the recently restored Royal Festival Hall. We view the post festival arts centres such as the National Theatre and finish with a great riverside panoramic view from the Oxo Tower.
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
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