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 in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

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.

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  1. Seventeenth century Europe: the age of monarchy
    Course start date:  Fri 3 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Post-Reformation Europe saw endemic warfare and plague. It was also an age of absolutism where royal courts reached their apogee as centres of patronage and splendour.



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    Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00
  2. An introduction to art history: interpreting theory
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 4 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Rachel Sanders
    Explore a variety of art movements, from Romanticism to American Social Realism through an introductory study of the writing of art theorists and commentators who have made a significant contribution to the Art History discipline.
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
  3. The angry Angevins: 1154-1216
    Course start date:  Tue 7 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Henry II is remembered for marrying Katherine Hepburn aka Eleanor of Aquitaine, his revolting sons and the murder of Becket. Richard I was a great soldier but an absentee monarch. His brother, John, has been dubbed the worst king in English history.







    Please note there will be no class on 2/7/24.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00
  4. Classic drama: Antigone, Measure for Measure, The Country Wife
    Course start date:  Mon 13 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Jenny Stevens
    We will read and discuss three classic plays: Sophocles’ Antigone, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and William Wycherley’s The Country Wife. Focusing closely on structure, language and tone, we will consider how dramatists across time have explored themes such as sexual politics, family relationships and state power through their plays, as well as considering the social, cultural and historical contexts in which they were produced.
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
  5. Philosophy and the meaning of life
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 13 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Karl White
    The search for a meaning to life has consumed human beings since time immemorial. What is the purpose of our being here? How are we supposed to live our lives? Is there a God or are we just products of nature, and depending on our answer, what does that tell us about the way we should conduct ourselves? What do we even mean by meaning?! If these questions intrigue or puzzle you, then look no further! While we cannot guarantee any answers, the quest for meaning and the exploration of the topic lead to some of philosophy’s greatest thinkers and their reflections on this most pressing of issues.



    NB: No classes on 06/05/24 and 27/05/24.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00
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  6. Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 15 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Yasmin Hales
    This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.



    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 £183.00 Concession £149.00
  7. In the footsteps of London's rebels
    Course start date:  Tue 10 Sep 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  David Rosenberg
    Explore London's places of protest and discover the stories of radicals, agitators and campaigners who fought for social justice, equal rights and better lives for all from the 1830s to the 1930s.



    The first session will be in the classroom at Keeley Street followed by 11 guided walks.
    Full fee £289.00 Senior fee £231.00 Concession £188.00
    Rating:
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  8. Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00
    Rating:
    87% of 100
  9. Advanced fiction writing workshop
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 16 Sep 2024 (and 9 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Claire Collison
    For 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.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00
    Rating:
    93% of 100
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