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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- The Socratic philosophers: PlatoCourse start date: Mon 5 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffPlato’s philosophy is the foundation of Western thought. It remains essential to a philosophical understanding the human condition.
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 - Advanced creative non-fiction workshop
Course start date: Wed 7 Jun 2023 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonThis advanced workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative-non fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.Full fee £139.00 - Friday lates: 'the future is now', an introduction to video art Course start date: Fri 9 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the early history of video art, its rise as a medium and its significance as a contemporary art practice. We focus on the influential video works from the 1960s-1980s.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Friday lates: Agnes Martin - pioneer, painter, iconCourse start date: Fri 16 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Henry MartinThis course examines the unconventional life and artworks of Agnes Martin (1912–2004), regarded as one of the great artists of the Twentieth Century. Topics covered include Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, LGBTQ artists, and the role of the biography in Art History.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £19.00 - Sex and the city: Jeanne Mammen & Otto Dix's 1920s BerlinCourse start date: Mon 26 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayExplore the roles that both art and science played in the liberation of sexual expression in 1920s Berlin. This lecture looks subjects of Jeanne Mammen, Otto Dix and Magnus Hirshfeld and how their work reflects the potential of freedom in the face of fascism.
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 - Gold, gemstones and enamel: the fascinating story of Islamic jewelleryCourse start date: Mon 26 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinThis course will offer an overview on the most interesting pieces of jewellery produced by Islamic dynasties along the centuries.
This session accompanies the forthcoming Classics Day (RCD61) organised by City Lit in partnership with the British Museum and University College London. This year’s inspiration is the major British Museum exhibition “Luxury and power: Persia to Greece”.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Snapshot Queers: Nan Goldin and Wolfgang TillmansCourse start date: Wed 28 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Henry MartinThis course explores how photographers Nan Goldin (b. 1953) and Wolfgang Tillmans (b. 1968) employ the aesthetic of the snapshot to document queer communities, with a focus on their early careers and unique installation and photographic practices.
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 - Art and critical theory: rethinking 'nature'Course start date: Wed 28 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the role of critical theory within the field of art history, and learn new ways of thinking about art by focusing on how recent authors have been rethinking our understanding of nature.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 - Art history taster Course start date: Fri 7 Jul 2023 (and 17 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayEver wondered what art history is but don’t want to commit to a whole course? This taster explores some of the ways art historians come to their interpretion art. Build your confidence in looking at art by learning what art and art history really are.Full fee £10.00 - How to write a short story Course start date: Mon 10 Jul 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vicky GrutThrough a series of inspiring and practical exercises, you'll be encouraged to tap into your imagination and draft a short story from beginning to end in this supportive short course.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 - How to get published Course start date: Tue 13 Feb 2024 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseySo you've finished your novel. What's next? This short course provides guidance in submitting to agents and publishers, and helps you to tailor your work to maximise its potential in the marketplace.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £139.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytales Course start date: Sat 15 Jul 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 - Picture book writing Course start date: Sat 22 Jul 2023 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £99.00 - How to write a memoirCourse start date: Wed 26 Jul 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £69.00 - Film studies taster
Course start date: Sat 16 Sep 2023 (and 7 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul SuttonLearn 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 (September - December 2023).Full fee £10.00
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