History, culture & writing

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.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short 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, we've got the class for you. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

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  1. History taster: from one empire to another?
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 7 Dec 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Martin Jorgensen
    Join us for an introduction on to how to make sense of the British and American ways of seeking global dominance and the ways in which people have resisted as we see the (re-)emergence of China, India and Russia in global politics and economics.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
  2. Lunchtime lecture: sanctuary in the city - public art by refugees and immigrants in the city
    Course start date:  Fri 8 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene
    Come on a virtual tour of public art through the City of London created by Refugees and Immigrants. We will explore artworks such as the 17th century carvings on the Monument and a Victorian plaques relocated on to the post Modern Number One Poultry by economic immigrants to the country as well as looking at mainly works by 20th century artists from refugee backgrounds who were either commissioned to make art works for site specific places or their works have been bought or moved to their locations.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £15.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £10.00
  3. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  4. Literature taster
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 9 Dec 2023 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Patricia Sweeney
    Do you want to explore how to go about understanding a poem? How to do a close reading of a work of fiction? Come and find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special.







    The course also presents an overview of our literature offering for term two in fiction, poetry, drama and literary non-fiction (January to April 2024).



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  5. What are Greek myths?
    Last Few Places, Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 9 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Maria Contos
    Myth permeated all aspects of ancient society and much the same can be said today. Investigate the relevance and perseverance of the Greek myth and why these tales continue to fascinate.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00
    Rating:
    80% of 100
  6. Christmas at the cinema: holiday favourites
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 9 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  John Wischmeyer
    A Christmas cracker filled with seasonal films, from It’s a Wonderful Life to Die Hard, a carefully-curated cornucopia celebrating the genre of the Christmas film with classic clips and hidden gems: Scrooge as a film noir, Covent Garden market in the fifties, and a grown man dressed as an Elf. Full of delights, discussions and a quiz or two.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  7. Lamp-lit Hampstead
    Last Few Places, Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 9 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene
    Discover the mysterious atmosphere to Hampstead on a tour after-dark where the streets are lit by old-fashioned lamps. We will wind through the narrow back streets and catch glimpses of its fascinating history from the glow of lamps and lit buildings. This tour is particularly stunning over the Festive season where subtle Christmas lights add to the effect. We will end at the historic Holly Bush Tavern where we can warm up with a drink!



    Tour starts outside Wagamama 58-62 Heath Street, NW3 1EN Ends Hampstead Tube Station.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
  8. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  9. Film studies taster
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 10 Dec 2023 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    This taster of forthcoming film courses at City Lit in 2024 offers you the chance to think about which ones to take while also providing an opportunity to explore some of the key areas in film studies more generally.



    Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit film studies class.



    We will view clips from a wide variety of films, exploring themes and technique in British, European and modern American cinema. There will be a chance to review term two film courses at City Lit (January - July 2024).



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
  10. Right wing extremism across Europe: a taster
    Course start date:  Tue 12 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Angelos Sepos
    In the last decade, authoritarian populism and extremism has swept much of Europe and the world. What are its roots and why does it persist? Join Dr. Angelos Sepos to begin to explore the issue.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £8.00 Concession £7.00
  11. The West and the Multipolar World Order since 1989: a taster
    Course start date:  Wed 13 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Angelos Sepos
    The abrupt end of bi-polarity in 1989 and the advent of US unipolarity has now been replaced by a volatile multipolar world order. What does this mean for the West? Join Dr. Angelos Sepos to begin to get a sense of these global changes.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £8.00 Concession £7.00
  12. Lunchtime lecture: angels in art
    Course start date:  Wed 13 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Emma Rose Barber
    Angels have always made their mark – wings and all. And this course will explore painted and carved angels in western art in all their ways and fashions, from the archangels to Christmas angels to those just flying in to say hello.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £7.00
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