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.
- 19th Century Movements in Italian Literature: Manzoni, Verga, TarchettiCourse start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francesco BucciolDiscover some key literary movements and novels that influenced the Italian cultural scene in the 19th century, through the study of three writers: Alessandro Manzoni, Giovanni Verga and Tarchetti.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writers
Course start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: KR MoorheadLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Partition in India and PakistanCourse start date: Sat 12 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: T HussainIn 1947 British India was partitioned. This resulted in an estimated one million deaths, the largest migration of people in modern history and the formation of India and Pakistan. What were the forces which led to Partition? When did the political and cultural factors that precipitated Partition emerge and accordingly, when did partition begin?Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Philosophy of Artificial IntelligenceCourse start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edgar Ter-DanielyanThis course is an interactive introduction to philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) focusing on ontological (‘what is AI?’) and epistemic (‘how do we know?’) aspects of recent revolutionary advances in AI from both philosophical and computer science perspectives. We will not focus on ethical aspects of AI in this course which are covered in a separate course.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Writing about food: getting started Course start date: Sat 2 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura SilvermanWhether you’re keen to review dishes, interview chefs or write about sustainable eating, now is your chance. This introductory course will cover the basics of writing about food.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing flash fiction: getting started Course start date: Sat 31 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - 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 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cecilia KnappRelatively new to writing poetry? This inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Introduction to Global LiteratureCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rebecca JonesAre you curious about reading literature from across the world? Would you like to encounter some of the world’s finest literary works, reading across cultures and national borders, and in translation? This in-college session will give you a flavour of what it’s like to study and explore what global literature is, reading excerpts from major works.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Hitchcock's Horror Thrillers 1: Psycho, scene by sceneCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jon WisbeyHitchcock's most successful film, and, arguably, the horror thriller, Psycho (1960) has enthralled audiences and critics ever since its release sixty-five years ago. Through an in-depth, scene by scene analysis of the film, we will explore its structure, one designed to challenge both audiences and the conventions of narrative filmmaking, its critical and cultural impact, and its enduring appeal.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 - The East End in Fact and FictionCourse start date: Sat 27 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WiseCovering the early 19th century to the early 20th century, we will examine the East End and analyse how it was portrayed in works of fiction, thinking about how imaginative fiction and historical fact intertwine to create local legend.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Modernist Hampstead Course start date: Sun 28 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneA tour considering the history of the city which is largely under our feet, we will discuss the tube and post office tunnels, water conduits, hidden rivers, and archaeological remains from burials and buildings found in the city. - Masters of Cinema: Claire DenisCourse start date: Sat 4 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course will consider Claire Denis’ importance as a filmmaker by exploring in some detail a number of her key films from Chocolat (1988), I can’t sleep (1994), Beau Travail (1999), White material (2009), and High Life (2018). Claire Denis’ transnational postcolonial work, from Djibouti, South Africa to multi-ethnic France, deals with themes of migration, human desires and fears. Her films are renowned for being filmed mainly on location, for playing with many cinematic genres and languages and they are internationally acclaimed.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - The Hindu Temple: an introductionCourse start date: Sat 4 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Arjmand AzizDiscover more about the development, history and sacred geometry of the Hindu temple in this weekend course which includes a guided visit to a local temple.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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