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. Creative writing: a taster
    Last Few Places, Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 7 Dec 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Yvonne Singh
    Give creative writing a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.



    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:
    60% of 100
  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. Christmas at the cinema: holiday favourites
    Last Few Places, 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
  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. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  6. Film studies taster
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 2 Dec 2023 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - March 2024).
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
  7. 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
  8. Grammar for ancient languages: an introduction
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 9 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Andrew David
    Suitable for complete beginners of ancient languages. Become familiar with the key grammar terminology and concepts that will enhance your learning. Highly recommended if you are starting to learn an ancient or classical language.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £49.00
  9. Lunchtime lecture: Cezanne - from aspiring Impressionist to Post-Impressionist revolutionary
    Course start date:  Wed 10 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Julia Musgrave
    Explore the development of Cezanne revolutionary approach to painting, his techniques and motifs and some of the many artists whose work he influenced.



    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
  10. Literature Taster: Shakespeare
    Course start date:  Wed 17 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie Oxenham
    Curious about studying Shakespeare? Try this taster session on Shakespeare to boost your confidence and whet your appetite for further study. We will explore short passages from two Shakespeare plays, one comedy (As You Like It) and one tragedy (Hamlet).



    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
  11. An introduction to poetry: W. H. Auden and Elizabeth Bishop
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 20 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Laurie Smith
    Come and join an introduction and exploration of the poetry of W H Auden and Elizabeth Bishop. We will read, discuss and enjoy a selection of their poetry and consider how the poets shape our responses.
    Full fee £29.00
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