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.
- Performance poetry
Course start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Megan BeechWrite poetry and perform it, finding your own style and delivery under the guidance of a spoken word artist. Explore the differences between performance and other forms of poetry.Full fee £69.00 - Archaeology of SouthwarkCourse start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jill HummerstoneOn this course we will explore some of the many exciting archaeological discoveries in the London Borough of Southwark: a borough full of great history and of strategic importance.Full fee £49.00 - The lost town of Lundenwic: mid-Saxon London 600-900 CECourse start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Stuart BrookesLook at the least known episodes in London's history, Lundenwic (AD 600-900) and Lundenburh (AD 900-1000).
Includes an introductory lecture and a guided walk.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - The Aztecs Course start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max CarocciDiscover one of the great New World civilisations and their achievements - the Aztecs of Mexico.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Dickens' London Course start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Molly Rumbelow'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Enjoy this introduction to Dickens' work and the London of his time. Morning lecture at City Lit followed by a walk in the area of the city connected to his work.Full fee £59.00 - Philosophy of religionCourse start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Philosophy of religion is where philosophical methods meet far-reaching religious doctrines. Join this introductory course to explore some of the big questions that go to the very essence of what it means to be human.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Oliver Cromwell and IrelandCourse start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterThis is a one day workshop focussing on Irish politics during the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell’s controversial military campaigns, and Ireland during the Protectorate.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - A taste of creative writing Course start date: Sat 27 May 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive online short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination. Please note: this course has a 2-hr break from 12:30-14:30.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 - Local history writing Course start date: Sat 17 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossOn this inspiring short course you will learn how to write local history books, booklets and features; covering a wide range of topics such as family, home towns, old buildings, parks, markets and beyond.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 - Up close and personal with Greek archaeological treasuresCourse start date: Sat 17 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anke MarshDiscover stunning objects from ancient Greece and the evidence they provide for the lives of ancient people. Spend the afternoon having a close look at the British Museum's collection.Full fee £69.00 - London's East End in fact and fictionCourse start date: Sat 17 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WiseCovering the early 19th century to the early 20th century, we will examine the history of the East End, and we will analyse how it was portrayed in works of fiction.Full fee £59.00 - Satan and the Devil: a cultural eye view through texts, images and traditionsCourse start date: Sat 17 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ann JeffersThe figure of Satan/devil has pervaded many centuries of the cultural imagination of the Western world. The course will examine the literary and iconographic sources for this enduring phenomena and will ask why ideas about the devil have continued to both frighten and fascinate and why its long-lasting association with sexuality and deceit continues to make it an attractive theme in contemporary culture.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Renaissance WomenCourse start date: Sat 24 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingExplore the world of the so-called Renaissance through the eyes of women who were not only passive subjects of paintings but active patrons, artists and poets.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Haiti in history
Course start date: Sat 24 Jun 2023Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterJoin us to discover the remarkable history, culture and politics of the Caribbean island of Haiti and the extraordinary resilience of its people since the revolution of 1791-1804. How has Haiti shaped a social and political identify for itself and what challenges have Haitians faced?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Art of Islamic SpainCourse start date: Sat 24 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinDiscover the art and architecture of Spain during the Arab domination (711-1493).Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
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