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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online 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.
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- Creative non-fiction: an introduction
Course start date: Thu 9 Jun 2022 (and 5 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Claire CollisonThis short introductory course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing. On this course you will start to produce your own works of creative non-fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Tue 24 May 2022 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Susan GrossmanGet inspired to write on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. Learn to carry out research, interview people, pitch and publish stories, and build your presence on social media.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - 17th century England, revolution and restoration: James I and Charles ICourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterExplore the early Stuart dynasty, from the accession of James I in 1603, until the outbreak of Civil War during the reign of Charles I in 1642.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Writing a memoir: an introductionCourse start date: Thu 16 Jun 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - A critical history of American televisionCourse start date: Wed 19 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul RixonThis online course explores the development of television in America, focusing on the role of the main national commercial networks which emerged with the development of radio. The course will look at the power struggles which occurred between the networks, the sponsors (advertisers) and the Hollywood studios as each vied to take advantage of this new medium. The course will also reflect on key moments in the history of American television which have been viewed by some as golden ages.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £71.00 - Writing romanceCourse start date: Thu 9 Jun 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - 17th century England, revolution and restoration: the English Civil WarsCourse start date: Wed 2 Nov 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterThis course constitutes a general introduction to the 1642 – 1651 English Civil Wars, with reference to the social, political and religious factors that influenced it.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Writing a memoir (continuation)Course start date: Fri 4 Nov 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Paul LaffanSome 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Introduction to journalismCourse start date: Tue 7 Jun 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
On this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - Getting away with murder: how to write crime fictionCourse start date: Tue 24 May 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWant to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - 17th century England, revolution and restoration: Oliver Cromwell and the ProtectorateCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterHow can we best understand the significance of Oliver Cromwell for English history? We will explore Cromwell’s rise to power, and his brief rule as the so-called ‘Good Constable’ of the Commonwealth during the 1653-1658 Protectorate.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Art and memoryCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mark Stuart-SmithHow have artists since 1960 engaged with the recent history and memory of political conflict? What role have artists had in remembering a difficult or traumatic past? What are the connections between memory and national identity in their work?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £90.00 - Reading for writers: great plays (a fortnightly course)Course start date: Wed 18 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinImitation is more than just a form of flattery - it's a tool to discover your own writing craft! Delve into a series of famous playscripts to understand their mechanics and their unique approaches. Then apply your insights to your own writing through in-class exercises.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Ways into Advanced fiction, poetry and drama: the transition to modernityCourse start date: Wed 1 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Hugh Epstein, Patricia SweeneyExplore the rewards of close reading analysis, focusing on the three main literary genres of fiction, poetry and drama. Read, analyse and debate works from the early 20th century that represent a transition to modernity. Includes Quicksand (1928) by Nella Larsen, The Cherry Orchard (1903) by Anton Chekhov and poetry by T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, W.B. Yeats, Edward Thomas, Charlotte Mew and Edna St.Vincent Millay.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £71.00 - Advanced creative non-fiction workshopCourse start date: Wed 8 Jun 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Paul LaffanThis advanced workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative-non fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00
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