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.
- Ways into magic realism
Course start date: Sat 28 Jan 2023Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate WilkinsonA baby’s spiteful ghost knocks over boiling pans; a ten-year-old boy sees into hearts and minds; a refugee opens a door into another country… In magical realist fiction, real-world events take unexpected turns into the fabulous and fantastical, asking us to think again about what we know.
On this course we’ll read a selection of magical realist writing, including work by Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison and Mohsin Hamid, as an introduction to this fascinating genre.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Creation myths in the ancient near EastCourse start date: Sat 28 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ann JeffersCome and explore with us the idea of ‘myth’. We will look at creation myths in Ugarit, in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, ancient Greece and in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Philosophical life coachingCourse start date: Sat 28 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tim LebonPhilosophical life coaching helps you lead a more satisfying and meaningful life by using insights and methods from the great thinkers. This introductory workshop will show you some of the most interesting ways it can be of help. No previous experience required.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - American political institutionsCourse start date: Thu 2 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark MalcomsonThis four-week interactive lecture-based course examines the US political system from its inception to today – reviewing its structure and constituent parts.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £35.00 - Ancient cities St. Paul knewCourse start date: Thu 2 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael BloomfieldDiscover eight intriguing ancient cities, amazing places to visit today, but raw and turbulent in their Graeco-Roman heyday.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Fri 17 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Billie ManningThis short, fun taster course is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Writing haiku poetryCourse start date: Sat 4 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pearl MayLearn how to write haikus that resonate, move and entertain on this fun day workshop.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle paceCourse start date: Wed 8 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghAre you brand new to creative writing? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a creative writer.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - Seven wonders of the ancient worldCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: William SterlingThe Seven Wonders fascinate us, but what were they and why were they wonders? Using art, literature and
archaeology we'll explore possible answers.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - The IncaCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max CarocciLearn about the history and culture of the Inca civilisation from South America.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Daemonologie: Witch trials, witch hunting and the Scottish Reformation.Course start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterNearly 4,000 individuals were accused of witchcraft in Scotland in the Early Modern period - approximately three times the total number of prosecutions that took place in England. Join us to explore the religious, cultural and political factors that informed attitudes to witches, witch-hunting and witch trials in Scotland.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Performance poetryCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
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 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Craft focus: dialogue in fictionCourse start date: Sun 12 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWhen your characters speak, what are they really saying? Develop that all-important ‘ear for dialogue’ through writing exercises and analysis of proven techniques.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Sat 18 Feb 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Lou KuenzlerWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Crusade and Reconquest in Medieval SpainCourse start date: Tue 14 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael SchraerThrough interactive lectures and discussions Investigate the ideologies, events and motivations as Christian kingdoms conquered the territories of Muslim Al-Andalus, culminating in the fall of Granada in 1492 and the end of Islamic Spain. Tutor: Michael Schraer.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £45.00
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