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.
- Lampooning London: Satire in the CityCourse start date: Wed 14 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondoners have never taken themselves too seriously & delight in making fun of themselves. This course examines the cultural history of satire in the city from the 18thC to today, from Dr Johnson to Steve Bell & 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 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Focus on: Cornelia Parker
Course start date: Thu 15 Sep 2022Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Chantal CondronDiscover the work of Cornelia Parker, one of the most engagingly inventive contemporary artists working in Britain today. Turner Prize nominee and Royal Academician, her multi-disciplinary practice embraces sculpture, installation, embroidery, photography and printmaking.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to poetry. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Phenomenology: the bodyCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffThe phenomenology of embodiment begins with bodily experience, language and being in the world. In what ways does phenomenology illuminate bodily being as sexed and non-sexed?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - The Russian Empire 1700-1917Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Spyridon TsoutsoumpisThis module examines the history of the Russian Empire from the reign of Peter the Great to the Revolution of 1917 and the rise of Lenin to power.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Writing an academic essayCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sinead KeeganA crash course in essay writing – beginnings, middles and ends. Suitable for students on A-level and access courses or undergraduates.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Animals in art - from medieval art to todayCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeThis course focuses on historical shifts in the depiction of animals from the late medieval period to the present, and on the contemporary representations of human-animal relations.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - An Introduction to the American Horror FilmCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jon WisbeyOnce a minor genre, the American horror film is now a major presence in popular cinema. This course explores its history and development from the late silent and early sound eras to the present day, taking in its key films, their themes, and the studios and filmmakers behind the films, while also considering a range of critical responses and ways of conceptualising the American horror film.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - The 60 minute writerCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghFit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Ways into creative writing: an introductionCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Claire CollisonNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.
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 - What's the Big Idea?: classic and contemporary short storiesCourse start date: Thu 22 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard NilandRead and discuss celebrated short stories each week for six weeks – discuss and explore what we understand might be the writers’ intentions, and what it means for us as readers – which can be quite different. Join us in sharing feelings about, and reactions to, a selection of classic and contemporary short stories and how they withstand the shifting context of readers, and time.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - Liars, heaps and surprise tests: an introduction to paradoxCourse start date: Thu 22 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Oliver JosiahA paradox is an apparently absurd conclusion derived from seemingly uncontroversial premises through supposedly valid reasoning. This course will introduce you to six major philosophical paradoxes and some of the attempts to solve them.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle paceCourse start date: Fri 23 Sep 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerAre 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 - Exploring Medieval Literature: The Canterbury TalesCourse start date: Mon 26 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Steven BreezePilgrimage, religion, social mores and foibles, exuberant women, and a drunk miller with a penchant for bashing down doors with his head! Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales are excellent examples of Middle English writing. The range of characters, diverse plotlines, energy and playfulness all offer a fine insight into 14th Century England. It’s medieval England’s most famous work; this is because Chaucer’s multi-layered writing style is varied, subtle, and brilliant.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - US history for beginnersCourse start date: Tue 27 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dafydd TownleyThis online course offers a brief examination of, and introduction to, the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of the United States, 1608 - 2001.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00
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