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.
- In the footsteps of London's rebelsCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David RosenbergExplore London's places of protest and discover the stories of radicals, agitators and campaigners who fought for social justice, equal rights and better lives for all from the 1830s to the 1930s.
The first session will be in the classroom at Keeley Street followed by 11 guided walks.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00 - London at war - guided walks
Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon has been shaped by war, conflict and unrest. It's buildings, monuments and even street names reflect our embattled past. These walks examine London's wartime legacy from mediaeval fortifications to the War on Terror.
First lecture delivered via zoom followed by 8 guided walks; no class/break week 7/10/25.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - The life and work of Sir Thomas More Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterHumanist scholar, Lord Chancellor of England, advocate for women’s education, opponent of Luther, careful in his avoidance in acknowledging Anne Boleyn as Henry VIII’s wife…Since the 1520s Thomas More has been celebrated, commemorated and vilified as a shrewd ‘man for all seasons.’ With such a contended reputation, how can we best understand and situate his life, work, and politics in history?Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - The Great (European) Powers and the Ottoman Empire: the Eastern Question, 1768-1914Course start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThe decline of the Ottoman Empire shaped the relations with and between the Great Powers, giving birth to new
countries and spheres of influence, the legacy of which is still felt to this day.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Walking Westminster's Political HistoryCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard WatkinsA course of walking tours in areas of Westminster to show aspects of the nation’s political development since the late 1600s Restoration era. Bringing out the drama of the epic events and charismatic characters which have influenced that development and how London has evolved in those areas we focus on.
First meeting place: Outside Westminster tube, Bridge Street.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - Remodelling Europe after the First World War: the fate of the vanquishedCourse start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThe defeat of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria in 1918 had profound territorial, political and economic consequences on the future of these countries, some of which are still felt today.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Latin America: From the independence wars to the mid-20th century Course start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien Ardouin(Re)discover the troubled but exciting history of Latin America from the emergence of new countries to the political and socio-economic consequences of their integration into the world economy and of the Great Depression.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - City of words: London's literary landscapeCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon has been muse, magnet and mecca to writers for 400 years, home to Shakespeare's successes, Dickens' dramas and Wilde's witticisms. After an introductory lecture (via zoom) we walk a different London neighbourhood each week exploring its literary connections.Break week/No class: 09/10/25. Initial lecture is on zoom . This is followed by 7 guided walks.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Europe in the 1920s: between democracy and authoritarianismCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThroughout the 1920s, Europe struggled with political and economic (re)construction and stabilisation. If some progress was made in part of the continent, wartime promises of a better and democratic Europe were shattered by the Great Depression.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £309.00 Concession £201.00 - The men who built LondonCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon was shaped by its architects, engineers, bricklayers, navies etc. Our lecture and walks examine London’s buildings and the men (and women) who worked throughout history to create this eclectic and wonderful city.
First lecture will be delivered via zoom followed by 8 guided walks. Break week/no class 09/10/25.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - The Ottoman Empire in world historyCourse start date: Fri 12 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin JorgensenWant to know more about the history of the Ottoman Empire and its legacies in the modern Middle East? Join us on this course to get an introduction.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - Weekend Study: A short History of Subcontinent (With British Museum Visit)Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaThe India subcontinent is unique in its heritage and history. It has lasted through invasion, political change and assimilation. It is home to the one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley. Join us on this 2-day study weekend to learn more.
Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Tudor London Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingThis course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry. - Europe in the Age of Discovery 1400-1500Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingExplore the growth and expansion of post-plague Europe that witnessed not only the splendour of Burgundy, the rise of printing, unification of Spain and the Renaissance, but also the Age of Exploration that led to colonialism and slavery.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - The Smashing Saxons: 600-1066Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingWhy did Offa build his dyke? Were the Vikings just ‘long-haired tourists who occasionally roughed up the natives’? Was Alfred really that great? These questions and more will be answered as we study the rise and fall of pre-Conquest England.
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