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.
- Developing your poetry
Course start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 8 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Eleanor PennyFor those familiar with the basics of poetic form, this intermediate course explores craft and content through reading exercises, writing exercises and constructive feedback. Ideal if you have already attended 'Ways into poetry'.
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 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Wed 19 Apr 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesLovers of fiction can develop their 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 - Developing your novelCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerHave you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - The Black DeathCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingThe study of the social and economic impact of the disease known as the Black Death that spread throughout the world in the 1340s and continued to flare up intermittently thereafter throughout Europe and beyond.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Clive FordLearn 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.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Introduction to moral philosophyCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ariel KernbergWhat’s the right thing to do? But what does ‘right’ actually mean? And what reason do I have to do it? Join us as we grapple with these fundamental questions. NB: No class on Tues 27th October.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Television screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ray GrewalDo you want to write a drama 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.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing fantasy storiesCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaBuild fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.
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 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieAlways wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will develop your ability to write for different age groups and genres of contemporary children's fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £309.00 Concession £155.00 - Developing your playwritingCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Dawn KingContinue to explore the key elements of dramatic writing, and benefit from supportive and detailed feedback on your own work. New students with prior playwriting experience are welcome to join.
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 playwritingCourse start date: Wed 19 Apr 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Grant CorrExplore 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.
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 - What makes a masterpieceCourse start date: Mon 3 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Leslie PrimoLook at works of art in the Western canon and ask why we consider them to be masterpieces. What formal qualities do they all share, if any, or is our interpretation of a masterpiece largely subjective?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - Developing your screenwritingCourse start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonContinue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate 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 - An introduction to philosophy of mindCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ariel Kernberg“No Brain, No Pain” — that’s hardly controversial. But is having an experience or—indeed—entertaining a thought
nothing else than neural activity? In this course we will look at this and some related philosophical questions.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Writing reviewsCourse start date: Thu 12 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanLearn to write compelling and insightful reviews for films, books and stage performances. Develop your critical skills and ability to write in a succinct style.
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
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