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.
- The 60 minute writerCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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.
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 - Creative non-fictionCourse start date: Tue 19 Sep 2023 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Developing your poetryCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah WardleFor 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 £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Getting away with murder: how to write crime fictionCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (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 £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshopCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Livia FranchiniFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £115.00 - Ways into poetry: intensiveCourse start date: Tue 7 May 2024 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ali LewisAre you just starting to write poetry? This shorter version of our introductory Ways into poetry course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Short story writingCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alex PickettA hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.
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 creative writing: a gentle paceCourse start date: Tue 31 Oct 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonAre 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 £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00 - Advanced poetry workshopCourse start date: Tue 19 Sep 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah WardleDevelop your poetry, taking it in new directions and maturing your poetic voice. Various approaches and techniques will be explored, and new poetry can be workshopped. For experienced poets only.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £115.00 - How to get an agentCourse start date: Tue 14 May 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieThis workshop, designed for authors who have finished their manuscript, offers practical advice on finding and approaching a literary agent.
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 - Reading for writers: the short story (a fortnightly course)Course start date: Tue 16 Apr 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Annabel BanksThe best way to write good short stories is to read a lot of good ones first. Dive into the best of short fiction, explore point-of-view, character and pacing, and begin to apply the lessons learnt to your own writing in this fortnightly course.
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 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Henry MartinWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Introduction to art historyCourse start date: Tue 3 Oct 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas BalfeAre you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £149.00 - US history for beginnersCourse start date: Tue 3 Oct 2023
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 £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - History reading group: political biographiesCourse start date: Tue 3 Oct 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Zoe QuinnThrough discussion of selected biographies we will explore in depth key individuals in world history , their legacy and the era in which they lived.The first class will discuss Putin: his life and times by Philip Short( 2023). As the biography has only recently been released in paperback, the cheapest copy available is kindle. But also check ebay.
NOTE: This course consists of four sessions on the following dates:
3/10/23, 21/11/23, 16/1/24 and 5/3/24.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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