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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- Reading Images: Exploring Film studiesCourse start date: Wed 31 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina MassaccesiThis comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - Writing romance
Course start date: Thu 1 Jun 2023Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Creative non-fiction: an introduction Course start date: Thu 1 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yvonne SinghThis short introductory course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 - Ways into poetry: a gentle pace Course start date: Thu 1 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeAre you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £55.00 - Introduction to journalism Course start date: Tue 6 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yvonne SinghOn this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Writing for video games Course start date: Tue 6 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanLearn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - The Iliad reading group (in translation)Course start date: Wed 7 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Justin MurrayCome and explore Homer's great epic tale 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 £64.00 - Writing a memoir: an introduction Course start date: Thu 8 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This course will help you plan and craft a memoir that will resonate and inspire.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 - Writing science fiction Course start date: Tue 27 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Learn how to build futuristic worlds and set them to explore thought-provoking concepts in this course on writing science fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Ways into poetry: an introduction Course start date: Mon 3 Jul 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Billie ManningAre you just starting to write poetry? This inspiring short course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £129.00 - Ways into creative writing: an introduction Course start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 - The Odyssey reading group (in translation) Course start date: Thu 13 Jul 2023
Location 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 £64.00 - Autobiographical writing: an introductionCourse start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul LaffanThis short course explores the basic elements of writing autobiography drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.Full fee £129.00 - Films and TV series of the 1990sCourse start date: Mon 15 May 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John WischmeyerThe '90s were an amazing decade for film and pre-streaming television. Rom-com was at its height and screwball comedy was back with Pretty Woman (1990 Gerry Marshall) and Groundhog Day (1993 Harold Ramis). Audience and critical favourites were big box-office: Titanic (1997 James Cameron), Pulp Fiction (1994 Tarantino), The Silence of the Lambs (1993 Jonathan Demme), Se7en (1995 David Fincher). The ‘90s were a particularly good time for going out to the cinema when going to the movies was still a thing; or for staying in and watching quality television before box-set binging: Hill Street Blues, Seinfeld, TGIF, Green Wing, West Wing, X-Files, Bottom, Twin Peaks—and right at the end of the decade, the best-ever series—The Sopranos. If you are looking for a new decade to obsess over then register now and join us.Full fee £169.00 - German Idealism from Kant to Hegel: the beginnings of continental philosophy
Course start date: Mon 15 May 2023Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christopher HornerGerman philosophers created the most ambitious and imaginative systems of thought of modern times against the backdrop of revolution and war. This creative and speculative beginning to modern continental philosophy is an exciting intellectual adventure.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £85.00
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