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.
- Irish history & identity 1: from the coming of Christianity to the Battle of Clontarf
Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Colm Hickey
Although inextricably linked to Britain, Ireland’s history, identity, and nationhood has equally been shaped by its relationship with Europe. This course traces Ireland’s development from the advent of Christianity to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. - French history: The Dreyfus Affair and its legacyCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinMiscarriage of justice, anti-Semitism, reason of state and ultimately triumph of justice. There is more to the Dreyfus Affair though, an event that polarised French society like few before and is at the heart of modern France.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The Rise and Fall of Empires Part 2: 1940-1991Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alison ApplebyBoth victorious and defeated powers saw their empires dwindle as a consequences of the Second World War. This course looks at the fall of these empires in the period 1940-1991 and also at how the Cold War led to new spheres of influence and opportunities for domination, and the factors that gave rise to these.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - British history: The rise and fall of the postwar consensus 1945-75Course start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David IngledewThe course examines the postwar political, economic and social consensus in Britain in the 30 years after the Second World and the extent to which there was continuity in successive government policies.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Walk and Talk: Around Chaucer's LondonCourse start date: Sun 21 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingJoin Vanessa King to explore Life in London in the Age of Chaucer (c.1343-1400) on this morning talk & afternoon walk.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Medieval LondonCourse start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mike BerlinThis course explores the forces that shaped London between the coming of the Normans and the age of
the Tudors. - Unreal city: history of London through literature from 1800 to todayCourse start date: Tue 30 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WiseFiction writers are often the first to identify and analyse a social phenomenon. We will examine two centuries of London history through the eyes of novelists and poets, from William Blake to Zadie Smith.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - The Global Cold WarCourse start date: Wed 1 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexandre DabThis 10 week course focuses on the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union from a global perspective. Going beyond the traditional focus on the superpowers and Europe, we will explore how the Cold War affected every part of the world and created the current international system.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - German History from Charlemagne to Napoleon (c.800 to 1815)Course start date: Fri 3 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rudolf MuhsThe course offers a broad survey of the history of the German lands under the Holy Roman Empire
(800 to c. 1800).Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Fatimid Egypt, 909-1171 with BM visitCourse start date: Fri 10 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinJoin us for this introductory course to discover the history of the Fatimids, from the establishment of the empire in Tunisia to the foundation of Cairo, their new capital. Includes an afternoon visit to the British Museum.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - King John: the worst king in English history?Course start date: Sat 11 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingKing John is remembered as a murderer, treacherous, and a loser; ‘a bad king’. On the plus side, he was probably the cleanest medieval king around, carrying a tin bath wherever he went travelling! - History, memory and mental wealth: why we need to talk about empireCourse start date: Fri 17 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin JorgensenFormally, European imperialism ended decades ago. Yet, the different legacies still affect the world and many societies today. Join us for a discussion on why we need to talk about empire and mental wealth.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Historical memory in RussiaCourse start date: Sat 18 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Olivia DurandLearn how Russia’s past is remembered, contested, and rewritten in the present day. This study day explores Soviet and imperial legacies, historical narratives, and how memory is instrumentalised to shape national identity, politics, and contemporary conflicts.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Taster: Why are history and memory important? Course start date: Mon 20 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin JorgensenWhat is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - The life and times of Ignatius Sancho: slave, composer, man of letters, grocer and first Black British voter Course start date: Sat 25 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: William SterlingExplore the life of the 18th century black Londoner, Ignatius Sancho. Orphaned on a slave ship bound for South America he had many lives in London: in service to noble family in Greenwich, a businessman, elector, correspondent with Laurence Sterne and others and composer of music. After his early death many of his letters were published and helped to raise awareness of the plight of black slaves and ex-slaves and fuel the drive to the abolition of slavery.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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