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.
- Byzantium, Constantinople and Istanbul: the story of an iconic cityCourse start date: Sat 1 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinDiscover the multilayered history of the city from the origins to the end of the Ottoman Empire.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Masters of cinema: Agnes VardaCourse start date: Sat 1 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul Sutton2019 was marked by the death of a true mistress of world cinema, Agne`s Varda. We will introduce you to her oeuvre, from La pointe courte (1955) to her final work, Varda par Agnes (2019), exploring her status as a ‘feminist’ icon. The digital was central to her later career, making her, perhaps, a multi-media artist rather than just a film director.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Television screenwriting: a taster
Course start date: Sat 1 Apr 2023Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jim HillDo you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Discovering British Drama: Alan Bennett and Nick DearCourse start date: Sat 22 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyExplore drama by two British playwrights, The Habit of Art (2009) by Alan Bennett and The Art of Success (1986) by Nick Dear, examining within their works the themes of creation, inspiration and theatricality.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - A taste of creative writingCourse start date: Sat 22 Apr 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive 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.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - A taste of philosophyCourse start date: Sat 22 Apr 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John GoffHave you ever wondered what philosophy is? What do philosophers talk about? Can they tell you the meaning of life or is it just jargon and navel gazing? Come along and find out.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Craft focus: character in fictionCourse start date: Sat 29 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghIn fiction, character and plot are inseparable elements of craft. Without characters there can be no action or plot. In this short course you will learn how to create characters that can drive a narrative forward and deepen its themes.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Focus on: HopperCourse start date: Sat 29 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersStudy Hopper’s key works, including 'Automat' and 'Nighthawks', within the context of biography, social and political events, and movements such as Regionalism, Social Realism and American Scene painting.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - The rise and fall of the Mughal EmpireCourse start date: Sat 29 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterOn this introductory course we will follow the fortunes of the Mughal Emperors, rulers of Northern India from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. What were their contributions to the religious, political and cultural life of northern India?Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Ways into screenwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 29 Apr 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Women in ancient RomeCourse start date: Sat 29 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: William SterlingWomen's position in the Ancient Roman world was important as they played important roles in the home, in business, in religion and even in politics.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Looking back: the Ottoman Empire, 1299-1922Course start date: Sat 6 May 2023
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 £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Archaeology of London gardensCourse start date: Sat 13 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jill HummerstoneIn this course we explore the archaeological evidence used to uncover some of the hidden secrets of significant designed gardens in London and its outskirts, which has led to the attractive restoration of some of the parks and gardens enjoyed today.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Tutankhamun’s fashionCourse start date: Sat 13 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosalind JanssenRecent examinations of Tutankhamun’s underwear have revealed that the boy king was decidedly ‘pear-shaped’. What can his clothing tell us about the minutiae of daily life in Ancient Egypt? Afternoon visit to the Petrie Museum.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - The MayaCourse start date: Sat 13 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max CarocciLearn about one of the most magnificent, but misunderstood civilisations of the ancient world - the ancient Maya from the rainforests of Central America. We'll examine their history and culture.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
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