Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses
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.
- Introduction to philosophyCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Karl WhiteThis problem-based introduction to philosophy explores key themes of modern philosophy, including truth, knowledge, ultimate reality and the mind-body problem.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Ways into creative writing
Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 16 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Introduction to moral philosophyCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ariel KernbergWhat’s the right thing to do? But what does ‘right’ actually mean? And what reason do I have to do it? Join us as we grapple with these fundamental questions. NB: No class on Tues 28th October.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Money - myths, magic, morals and markets Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christian MichelMoney is the most powerful energy in the world. Without understanding its nature, its function, where it comes from, and how to control it, it will badly burn us.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00 - Global issues Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThrough the study of some of the key actors and main issues that affect people across continents, you will gain the skills and knowledge to analyse today’s world and the challenges we all face. - The Rise and Fall of Empires Part 2: 1940-1991Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alison ApplebyBoth victorious and defeated powers saw their empires dwindle as a consequences of the Second World War. This course looks at the fall of these empires in the period 1940-1991 and also at how the Cold War led to new spheres of influence and opportunities for domination, and the factors that gave rise to these.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - The emergence of Europe 300-1000Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingExplore reasons for the fall of Rome and the emergence of the ‘barbarian’ kingdoms of western Europe. Was it really ‘the Dark Ages’? Were the Vikings simply long-haired tourists who occasionally beat up the natives?Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Philosophy and literature: Identity, Truth and the Poetic WordCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Barrie SelwynLiterature provides a very effective springboard into the understanding of the developing notions of selfhood and human nature in the history of ideas and philosophy sharpens our understanding of literature within the broader context of this history.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Introduction to political philosophyCourse start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Christopher HornerWhat are the ends and means of politics? Interweaving modern history and politics with key philosophical texts, study and debate the ideas, ideologies and concepts underpinning our thinking about the organisation of society.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - British Cinema: The Whole StoryCourse start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John WischmeyerThis course will take you on a journey through the development of British Cinema from its earliest films through to some of its most recent. We will explore some of the most significant periods of British filmmaking creativity and commercial enterprise and consider some of the famous names associated with it. Join me in City Lit’s Cultureplex as I tell – through image and sound – the whole story of British Cinema.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Writing fantasy stories Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Victoria M. AdamsBuild fantastical worlds, fill them with compelling characters and learn how to structure innovative plotlines in this perfect introduction for those with a passion for fantasy.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - The history of Western art in 100 paintingsCourse start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julia MusgraveA chronological introduction to Western art from c.1250 to the present day, taught by looking at artworks in London’s galleries, and related materials.Full fee £679.00 Senior fee £543.00 Concession £441.00 - Islamic art in the medieval worldCourse start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anita ChowdryA course examining the formation and development of Islamic Art and Design; looking at the role of ideology and patronage, and the key influences that went into its development and evolution.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nicole AcquahExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - A history of art in 100 objectsCourse start date: Tue 7 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayWhat is art history? How can better a better understanding of the subject help us to better connect with art made by fellow humans? Explore these big questions of historical significance, socio-cultural impact and artistic process by studying a history of art in some of London’s greatest museums.
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