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.
- Contemporary British and international fiction
Course start date: Wed 20 Sep 2023Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Aamer HusseinJoin us for a fascinating exploration of contemporary novels in English, including Burntcoat, Sarah Hall's exploration of love in the days of lockdown; Diving for Pearls, Irish novelist Jamie O'Neil's sweeping saga of wealth and poverty in modern day Dubai; Kashmiri-British Mirza Waheed's Tell her Everything, an examination of conscience, guilt and fatherhood, set in London and the Middle East; and Julian Barnes's intriguing and complex recent novel, Elizabeth Finch.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - National Gallery Course start date: Wed 18 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Leslie PrimoDiscuss a differently themed group of paintings each week in front of the pictures. An opportunity to understand our national collection in greater depth.Full fee £249.00 - The Greeks overseas: politics and power in the Western MediterraneanCourse start date: Wed 17 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael DuiganGreek voyages of exploration find echoes in Homer’s epic narrating the adventures of Odysseus. Other myths also find confirmation in archaeology showing the foundation of colonies throughout the Western Mediterranean. Known as ‘Greater Greece’, these lands preserve some of the loveliest art anywhere in the Greek world. The Greek cities were key players in politics & warfare in the Mediterranean.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Asian fictionsCourse start date: Wed 17 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Aamer HusseinA selection of 20th century classics from South Asia, China, Korea and Japan, in English and in translation, which have a lasting impact on world literature. These include Yasunari Kawabata's haunting story of reunion and revenge, Beauty and Sadness, Fumiko Enchi's exploration of a complex triangular relationship, Masks, R.K Narayan's story of love, deception and faith, The Guide, Kamala Markandaya's Nectar in a Sieve, the miniature saga of a woman's life in rural India, and the stories of Eileen Chang and Park Kyongni.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Art and critical analysis: Western European art under the microscope
Course start date: Wed 17 Apr 2024Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Leslie PrimoConcentrating on major works of art and significant artists across periods ranging from 1300 to 1900 and beyond this course we will study and explore the impact on the public’s appreciation of art and how that might be influenced by critical analysis including the vagaries of fashion.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
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