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.
- Designs of India at the V&A
Course start date: Sun 9 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Anita ChowdryExplore the treasures of the V&A Nehru Gallery and its painting and the decorative arts from India between the 16th and 19th centuries.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Demystifying Tate Modern Course start date: Sun 19 Jan 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayGet 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 - Faith and the female image Course start date: Sun 9 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneExplore the V&A’s collections and see how Biblical figures, the Virgin Mary, female saints and Hindu and Buddhist deities have been depicted in various periods and cultures and learn about their importance and symbolism.
NB: This course will take place at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - A day at the National GalleryCourse start date: Sun 16 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresSpend a fascinating and enjoyable day at the National Gallery exploring a range of galleries. We shall be looking at the collection with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the art produced in different periods, countries and movements, as well as themes such as genres and iconography (decoding symbols).Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Textiles at the V&A: 1650 to the presentCourse start date: Wed 19 Mar 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresThis session takes place in the V&A’s remarkable collection. You will see a wide range of woven, printed, painted and embroidered cloth from around the globe and explore the roles these have played in the world’s material culture from about 1650 to the present.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Keats and eternityCourse start date: Sun 18 May 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Laurie SmithIn the house where many of them were written, we will explore why Keats’s poems are regarded as exceptionally beautiful. How did he achieve this? We will see that it wasn’t luck or simply inspiration, but the result of choices which reflect important aspects of Keats’ personality. Includes ‘Ode to a Nightingale’, Ode to a Grecian Urn’ and ‘To Autumn’.
This course will take place at Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, London NW3 2RR.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - A day at the V&A: an introduction to the collections Course start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresSpend a fascinating day at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum exploring a range of galleries. We shall be looking at the decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and design from across the world and across the centuries in this remarkable museum.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Mews, monuments and museumsCourse start date: Sun 1 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneThis circular walk explores the alleys lanes, squares and delightful mews houses and passes a disused tube station in the mainly in the Knightsbridge conservation area and contrasts with the grand museums, institutions and monuments built in South Kensington (Albertopolis) developed with profits of the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park in 1851. Meets outside the main entrance to the V&A ends outside the Natural History Museum. Meets outside the main entrance to the V&A ends outside the Natural History Museum.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
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