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. Thinking through philosophy: a guide
    Course start date:  Mon 23 Oct 2023

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Christopher Horner
    What 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.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
    Rating:
    80% of 100
  2. The Soviet Union and the Second World War
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 30 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Nick Morgan
    This 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
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  3. Contemporary Black British Literature: Zadie Smith, Bernardine Evaristo, Benjamin Zephaniah, Roger Robinson
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 6 Nov 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Rebecca Balfourth
    An 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
  4. The Courtauld: an introduction
    Last Few Places
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Jan 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Julie Barlow
    The Courtauld collection includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. This two-part course is an opportunity to explore an outstanding collection which includes one of the richest holdings of early Italian art in Britain alongside Impressionist and Post-Impressionist gems such as Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  5. The art of the essay: from Michel de Montaigne to Audre Lorde
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 22 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Dalia Neis
    We will go on a journey to investigate the art and form of the essay through collectively reading a variety of essayists from the early 20th century to the present day. We will explore the essay’s hazy boundaries between diary, literary criticism, nature writing, elegy, aphorism, political tract, and mystical/religious experiences through key essayists including Walter Benjamin, Virginia Woolf, Clarice Lispector, Audre Lorde, Etel Adnan, James Baldwin, David Rattray, and Claudia Rankine.



    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
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  6. The Global Economy unpacked: Latin America in the Global Economy from 1800 onwards
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 5 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    South America's economic journey: colonization, industrialization, neoliberal reforms, regional integration, challenges, sustainability, and emerging opportunities for inclusive growth.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00
  7. Introduction to British Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Literature
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 12 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Rebecca Balfourth
    Explore literary works by British writers of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent that capture themes essential to human experience: China Room by Sunjeev Sahota, Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, Marriage Material by Sathnam Sanghera and poetry by Imtiaz Dharker.



    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
  8. Figures in British politics and society you need to know!
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 12 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    The aim of this course is to bring to the forefront those, in British politics and society, who may have been confined to the fringes of history, simply been forgotten about or had their stories altered to fit a certain narrative. Curious? Join our tutor Natasha Ashman-Banks to learn more!



    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
  9. The future of democracy
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Christian Schnee
    Want to think about and discuss what makes and breaks a democracy? Join Dr. Christian Schnee to engage in this vital discussion.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  10. The global economy unpacked: the forming of the economies of the Global South
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 22 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein
    Explore how historical, political, and economic factors have shaped Global South economies. Analyze trade, governance, urbanization, poverty, sustainability, and challenges, fostering a holistic understanding of their development within the global landscape.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £89.00
  11. Focus on: fashion in 16th century art
    Course start date:  Mon 3 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Julie Barlow
    Do you know your codpiece from your farthingale? Why did the ruff become so fashionable? How do we identify figures in narrative and religious art? This short course explores the fascinating world of costume in 16th century European painting. Explore the socio-political context behind portraiture, how fashion was employed to convey status, and the impact of developments in textiles and trade.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
  12. The global economy unpacked: understanding emerging markets today
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 17 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein
    Explore emerging markets in the global economy. Understand economic, political, and cultural dynamics, challenges and strategies for success in evolving markets.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £89.00
  13. A day at the V&A: an introduction to the collections
    Course start date:  Mon 1 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Elizabeth Eyres
    Spend a fascinating day at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum exploring a range of galleries. We shall be looking at the decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and design from across the world and across the centuries in this remarkable museum.
    Full fee £59.00
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