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. Japanese novellas and short stories
    Course start date:  Fri 26 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Lewis Ward
    Short stories offer a brief window into a variety of other lives, places, and situations. This literary form has remained popular in Japan over several centuries, with topics as diverse as natural disasters, the beauty of everyday life, hellish curses and the consequences of fame. We’ll explore the history of this medium through a selection of short stories by some of Japan’s most popular short story authors.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00
  2. The French Revolution
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 30 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Zoe Quinn
    In 1789 ordinary French people successfully rebelled against the absolute monarchy and privileged nobility. Find out how the struggle over the social and political system which would replace the Ancien Regime would divide both France and Europe. Tutor: Zoe Quinn.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00
  3. Cold Wars, old and new
    Course start date:  Tue 30 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Francesca Granelli
    In this course we will explore more than just the Cold War between the USA and USSR. We will explore the meaning of Cold Wars, where they were (and are) fought, how and by who.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00
  4. Arts of Imperial China
    Course start date:  Tue 30 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Meitao Qu
    Explore the arts of imperial China spanning across 13 dynasties and 2000 years. Study how painting, sculpture, and architecture were deeply shaped by its richly diverse culture, philosophy, and religion.



    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 £64.00
  5. 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 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  6. Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
  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. How to get published
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 13 Feb 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Neil Arksey
    So you've finished your novel. What's next? This short course provides guidance in submitting to agents and publishers, and helps you to tailor your work to maximise its potential in the marketplace.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £70.00
  10. Introduction to the philosophy of religion
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 14 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Kate Banks
    This course will provide an introduction to philosophical methods, definitions of terminology, and a broad overview of the history of philosophy of religion.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00
  11. The British Empire in sub-Saharan Africa
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 17 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  James Stannard
    From transatlantic slavery to the fall of apartheid, this course examines Britain’s major projects and legacies in sub-Saharan Africa.



    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
  12. Ways of reading: aspects of narrative theory
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 22 Feb 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Jenny Stevens
    What do we mean by ‘literary fiction’? What expectations do we bring to the novels we read? Do we really ‘escape’ when we enter fictional worlds? These are just some of the questions addressed in a course which focuses on the analysis of prose fiction. Reading texts as short as one-sentence ‘flash fiction’ to complete short stories, it engages with writing from a wide range of periods and authors, paying close attention to narrative techniques and their effects.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  13. Exploring horror cinema
    Course start date:  Wed 28 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Explore the horror film through a range of key films, concepts and critical accounts of the genre. In doing so, we will consider its history and development and the ways in which different production contexts, for example, American, European and East Asian horror cinemas, have given rise to significant variations within the genre, with each having distinctive styles, themes and film 'cycles'.



    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
  14. Where is the future? An introduction to the philosophy of time
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 7 Mar 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Oliver Josiah
    Time is a familiar and fundamental part of our lives - we count down the minutes until lunch, we schedule meetings, we set alarms - and yet few subjects have proven as mysterious and elusive. This course will explore some of the key questions that have preoccupied philosophers and scientists for thousands of years.



    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
  15. Modern African history: understanding the state and economy since independence
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 4 Jun 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Explore post-colonial Africa's political, economic, and social journey since independence. Gain insights into state building, governance, development, and identity, fostering a holistic understanding of Africa's historical evolution.



    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
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