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.
- Writing fiction
Course start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 5 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesDevelop your creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction-writing craft, such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Thu 19 Jan 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Megan BeechRelatively 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 £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into playwritingCourse start date: Thu 19 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this 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 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Starting your novelCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGot a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Television screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jim HillDo you want to write a script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples, this course will assist you in developing your own projects.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ancient Egyptian architectureCourse start date: Tue 25 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hugo CookAn exploration of Ancient Egypt’s iconic monuments, from the mighty pyramids to stunning private chapels.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Hidden Treasures: rediscovered classicsCourse start date: Wed 26 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Aamer HusseinJoin us to read and discuss freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century, including ‘After Midnight’ by Irmgard Keun (1937, Germany) and ‘All our Yesterdays' by Natalia Ginzburg (1952, Italy).Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Japanese philosophyCourse start date: Mon 15 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John GoffJapanese philosophy extends well beyond Zen, with several philosophical traditions including that of the modern Kyoto School. Developing distinct cultural, aesthetic and political concepts, Japanese philosophers offer a rich field of thought.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £120.00 - Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscapeCourse start date: Mon 15 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Yasmin HalesThis is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £120.00 - 'Bright Star': poetry and fameCourse start date: Mon 15 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laurie Smith
Why do some poets become famous and remain famous while, for others, their fame fades and they become unread? On the other hand, why are some poets little appreciated in their lifetimes, but become valued and admired after their deaths? We look at examples of both processes, from the early 19th century to the present, and explore the various reasons for these changes in reputation.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Norman and Plantagenet London 1000-1350Course start date: Fri 20 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingWe chart the impact of the Norman Conquest on the development of London and end by exploring how Londoners reacted to the Black Death with killed 50% of the inhabitants. There will also be a guided walk.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £120.00 - A history of London: 1880-1914Course start date: Tue 25 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mike BerlinLondon - capital of empire - was a city of contrasts. Great wealth and poverty led to fine buildings and slums while a rising standard of living for many impacted little on those in need.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £110.00 - Writing Modern Britain: 1990-2020Course start date: Tue 25 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julian BirkettBritish society is changing in profound, exciting, and sometimes unsettling ways - and a new generation of writers have been exploring, dramatizing and reflecting on it, focusing on shifts in power, money, race, sex and the coming of globalisation. We’ll be reading novels and stories by some of the best of these writers, including Hanif Kureishi, Kamila Shamsie, Zadie Smith and others.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
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