Explore History, Culture & Writing
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.
- Ancient world civilisationsCourse start date: Wed 27 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max CarocciThe course looks at major ancient civilisations around the world. Offering a fresh perspective on the emergence of
states, chiefdoms and empires, the ten lessons will examine relationships and influences between settled and nomadic peoples. - The 60 minute writer
Course start date: Wed 27 Sep 2023 (and 9 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghFit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - Creative non-fiction Course start date: Tue 19 Sep 2023 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation) Course start date: Fri 12 Jan 2024 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This continuation course guides students in developing a memoir project that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Developing your poetryCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WardleFor those familiar with the basics of poetic form, this intermediate course explores craft and content through reading exercises, writing exercises and constructive feedback. Ideal if you have already attended 'Ways into poetry'.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Romanesque art, culture and societyCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andreas PetzoldThe Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Innovators: meet the VictoriansCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterWhat did the Victorians do for us? Taking a different topic each week, on this 6 week course we will explore a range of innovations in the era, from engineering, public health and industry, to crime detection and nursing.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Get together and readCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire AllenEnjoy talking with other people about the things you have read? Want to share great stories, poems and drama? Come along and join the conversation. The group is led by a shared reading practitioner trained by The Reader Organisation.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £50.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshop Course start date: Tue 26 Sep 2023 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Livia FranchiniFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £115.00 - Ways into poetry: intensive Course start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ali LewisRelatively new to writing poetry? This shorter version of our introductory Ways into poetry 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 £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Exploring literature: an introduction to prose and poetry Course start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate WilkinsonThis course introduces you to a variety of prose texts and poems from the nineteenth century to the present. Explore how poems work both ‘on the page’ and as spoken words. Reading novels and short stories, we’ll think about writers’ narrative techniques, characterisation and social context. Come and discover what’s distinctive about these different forms of literature.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Grant CorrExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this online introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing for children: workshop
Course start date: Mon 8 Jan 2024 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Penny JoelsonOn this ongoing workshop you will develop your work-in-progress with constructive feedback from tutor and classmates. You need to have completed a ‘Writing for children’ course before joining this class.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £115.00 - Early English queenship before 1066Course start date: Fri 29 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingThe earliest queens were accused of murder, being wicked stepmothers, shape-shifters and witches. But how much of this was true and not simply Norman spin-doctoring after 1066?Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00 - Writing a memoirCourse start date: Fri 29 Sep 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This course will help you plan and craft a memoir that will resonate and inspire.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list