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.
Study in-person at City Lit or offsite, or online from the comfort of home, with interactive classes that allow you to participate in discussions with fellow adult students. We offer daytime, evening and weekend courses, both short and long. For more information on our online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
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.
- In war, defeat and victory (Britain and France in WWII)Course start date: Thu 20 Jan 2022
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street
Tutors: Alison ApplebyThis course will explore the Franco-British Alliance from ‘phoney war’ to Dunkirk, leading to Petain’s armistice and de Gaulle’s Free France in London. Learn about British support for French resistance and the role of the Fighting French in the Allied invasion of France in 1944.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £96.00 - The Odyssey reading group (in translation)
Course start date: Wed 26 Jan 2022Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Justin MurrayHomer’s epic tale of Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War may now be over 2,500 years old but it still has much to tell us about the Ancient Greek world that is still relevant today. Explore this great work in translation.
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 £60.00 - Seven wonders of the ancient worldCourse start date: Sat 29 Jan 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: William SterlingThe Seven Wonders fascinate us, but what were they and why were they wonders? Using art, literature and
archaeology we'll explore possible answers. Includes a visit to the British Museum.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £36.00 - Writing for children: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 29 Jan 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lou KuenzlerDevelop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.
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 £28.00 - Philosophical life coachingCourse start date: Sat 29 Jan 2022
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street
Tutors: Tim LebonPhilosophical life coaching helps you lead a more satisfying and meaningful life by using insights and methods from the great thinkers. This introductory workshop will show you some of the most interesting ways it can be of help. No previous experience required.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £30.00 - Flash fictionCourse start date: Sat 29 Jan 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ThomasFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.
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 £40.00 - Ancient cities St. Paul knewCourse start date: Thu 3 Feb 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Michael BloomfieldDiscover eight fascinating ancient cities, which are amazing places to visit.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £48.00 - City of words: further adventuresCourse start date: Thu 3 Feb 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon luxuriates in literary references. We follow the footsteps of the authors, poets and playwrights, and some of their creations, as we walk a brand new neighbourhood each week, exploring the literary connections.
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 £44.00 - Writing funny fictionCourse start date: Thu 3 Feb 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rene PerezWhat does it really mean to write funny fiction and what are the techniques writers use? Learn how to harness the power of humour in your fiction in this fun, supportive workshop.
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 £28.00 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Fri 4 Feb 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Billie ManningThis short, fun taster course is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for two evenings of thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.
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 £28.00 - The IncaCourse start date: Sat 5 Feb 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Max CarocciLearn about the history and culture of the Inca civilisation from South America.
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 £55.00 Concession £42.00 - Writing haiku poetryCourse start date: Sat 5 Feb 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street
Tutors: Pearl MayLearn how to write haikus that resonate, move and entertain on this fun day workshop.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 22 Jan 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ThomasTurn 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. Please note: this course has a 2-hr break each session from 12:30-14:30.
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 £40.00 - US controversies: The US-Mexican borderCourse start date: Sat 5 Feb 2022
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street
Tutors: Jack GainUncover the vexed history of America’s southern border, from the frontier to the border wall. This one-day course looks at border enforcement, migration and the roots of anti-immigrant sentiment using film, photography, and primary sources.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £30.00 - Writing non-fiction for children: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 5 Feb 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Catherine IngramOn this interactive taster course, you will explore children’s non-fiction writing; an exciting and wide-ranging field, encompassing biography, narrative non-fiction and the classic fact book.
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 £28.00
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