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.
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- What do mathematicians do? An introduction to the philosophy of mathsCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Oliver JosiahThis course offers the opportunity to explore fascinating questions concerning the nature of mathematical knowledge by providing an introduction to four major 19th and 20th century philosophies of mathematics.
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 - Get together and readCourse start date: Thu 28 Sep 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire AllenEnjoy talking with other people about the things you have read? Want to share great stories, poems and drama? Come along and join the conversation. The group is led by a shared reading practitioner trained by The Reader Organisation.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £50.00 - The 60 minute writer
Course start date: Fri 29 Sep 2023 (and 9 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Claire AllenFit 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 - 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 - Thinking through philosophy: a guideCourse start date: Mon 23 Oct 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christopher HornerWhat is morality and what is it based on? Is the mind a ghost in the machine?
What can I really know? This is a beginner’s introduction to how philosophy tackles questions like these and many others. - Picture book writing Course start date: Sun 29 Oct 2023 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories, develop their ideas and technique.
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 - The Soviet Union and the Second World WarCourse start date: Mon 30 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nick MorganThis course focuses on the Soviet experience of the Second World War, dating from the diplomacy of the late 1930s to the defeat of Germany and Japan in 1945.
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 - Hitchcock's American filmsCourse start date: Wed 1 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jon WisbeyHitchcock's American period saw his most spectacular work, a body of films that cemented his reputation not only as the 'master of suspense' but as a major filmmaker, one whose work includes some of cinema's most popular and critically admired films. This course explores Hitchcock's Hollywood career, the films, their production and their reception, while also assessing his critical reputation.
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 - Greek philosophy: the Hellenistic periodCourse start date: Thu 2 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffThe pursuit of happiness is ongoing. In the ancient Greek world this gave rise to several ‘philosophies of life’ that remain the cornerstone of contemporary attitudes. Join this course to explore their key sources.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 - Contemporary Black British Literature: Zadie Smith, Bernardine Evaristo, Benjamin Zephaniah, Roger RobinsonCourse start date: Mon 6 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rebecca BalfourthAn introduction to late 20th and early 21st Century Black British Literature, the course features authors such as Zadie Smith, Bernadine Evaristo and Benjamin Zephaniah, as well as T.S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Roger Robinson. While looking towards the future, the course also examines the history of Black Britain - with many of the books explored locating their characters within an historical context.
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 - Ancient Greek dramaCourse start date: Tue 7 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ContosHave a taste of exploring the ancient Athenian stage, and how they still speak to us about the challenges we face today.
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 £79.00 Concession £64.00 - Write a short story in a week
Course start date: Mon 11 Dec 2023Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. Through a series of inspiring exercises, you'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. - Exploring film noirCourse start date: Tue 9 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jon WisbeyThe term film noir has been used to describe visual style, themes and narratives in a range of American genres, particularly crime films of the 1940s and 1950s, but it has also been used to describe areas of British, French, and, as part of the giallo tradition, Italian cinema. Explore film noir through a range of critical concepts and historical periods, while assessing its enduring appeal.
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 - Reading images: exploring film studiesCourse start date: Wed 10 Jan 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina MassaccesiThis comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - Greek philosophy: the late ancient periodCourse start date: Thu 11 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffThe ‘mystical’ philosophy of Plotinus was key to the transition from ancient Greek to early Christian thought. This period gave rise to both modern esotericism and Christian theology. What ideas connect 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
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