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.
- Central African politics for beginnersCourse start date: Tue 31 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Hilke GudelJoin us learn about the history, institutions and issues that are essential for understanding recent political developments in Central Africa.
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 £45.00 - Ancient cities St. Paul knewCourse start date: Thu 2 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael BloomfieldDiscover eight intriguing ancient cities, amazing places to visit today, but raw and turbulent in their Graeco-Roman heyday.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The Odyssey reading group (in translation)Course start date: Wed 8 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
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 - China's development aid in Africa, Central Asia and South Asia: aid or political strategy?Course start date: Thu 9 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Zannis KairisChina has risen to become the world’s largest development aid provider. This has been variously described as a form of neocolonialism, an expression of economic expediency, and a generous aid project. This course will critically review these arguments and help learners make their own judgements.
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 £50.00 - Economics for beginnersCourse start date: Thu 9 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Naresh SonparEconomics is about what drives human behaviour in making decisions faced with limited resources. Join this online course to learn a toolkit of skills, approaches and ways of thinking that you can apply to a wide range of problems.
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 £45.00 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Sun 22 Jan 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Lou KuenzlerWould you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.
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 Silk RoadsCourse start date: Tue 14 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
The Silk Road was the central nexus of commercial, cultural, and political exchange in Eurasia and China for many centuries, and still has a profound influence on the world today.
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 £50.00 - How to get publishedCourse start date: Tue 14 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil ArkseySo 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 £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - The pre-Socratic philosophers: philosophy in the beginningCourse start date: Mon 20 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffThe beginnings of philosophy and science are found in the thinking of early Greek, ‘Presocratic’, philosophers. Who were they? Why is their thinking still relevant?
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 £50.00 - Ways into creative writing: an introductionCourse start date: Mon 20 Feb 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Not 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 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Current affairsCourse start date: Tue 21 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Michael BloomfieldDo you want to find out more about the issues in the news in an online setting? Enrol early for lively and informed online discussion on current events in Britain and the world. Tutor: Michael Bloomfield.
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 £50.00 - The politics of gender and sexuality in the Middle EastCourse start date: Tue 21 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Barbara SchenkelWant to learn about contemporary Middle Eastern and North African politics from a perspective that centres gender and sexuality? Want to dig deeper than the often-rehearsed narratives about ‘oppressed Muslim women’ or ‘suffering gay refugee’? Join us us to think critically about the politics of gender and sexuality in the Middle East and North 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 - The philosophical Hamlet: life, death and everything in betweenCourse start date: Wed 22 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Borna RadnikCan we ever escape our past? Can we act to change our future? This course examines various philosophical themes through engagement with different philosophical traditions and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
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 £50.00 - An introduction to feminist politicsCourse start date: Wed 22 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Want to know how feminism has developed to its many forms today and also discuss challenges of feminism in the poltical world? Join us to learn more!Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £50.00 - Making sense of the Russian invasion of UkraineCourse start date: Wed 22 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Want to get beyond headlines? Join Dr. Sepos to examine the causes and dynamics of the war in Ukraine by focusing on the role of US, EU and NATO, Putin’s Russia, and the international politico-economic system.
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 £50.00
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