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. Before the election: Understanding the different political systems across the United Kingdom
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 8 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Want to understand how the different political systems across the United Kingdom works? Join our tutor Natasha Ashman-Banks to explore!



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00
  2. Picture book writing
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 29 Oct 2023 (and 7 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Andrew Weale
    Would 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, develop their ideas and technique.



    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
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  3. India and Pakistan: The histories, memories and legacies of Partition
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 23 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Mirza Jaffer Abid
    Join us to gain an understanding of the partition of British India in August 1947 from the perspective of history (written and oral), literature and film.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00
  4. Medieval travel
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 23 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    How, why and where did people travel in the Middle Ages? We will look at maps, itineraries and household accounts to explore the logistics of travel before 1500 CE.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00
  5. Shakespeare's women: Rosalind, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth
    Course start date:  Wed 24 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie Oxenham
    This online Literature course will look at three of Shakespeare’s female characters: Rosalind (As You Like It), Ophelia (Hamlet) and Lady Macbeth (Macbeth). We will consider their wit, madness and ambition, exploring Shakespeare’s language, the historical context, and the plays in performance.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  6. Writing poetry: getting started
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 2 Feb 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Billie Manning
    This short, fun taster course is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  7. Diverse Docklands
    Course start date:  Tue 6 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Rachel Kolsky
    Explore the ever-changing face of east London through four different dockland neighbourhoods: Canary Wharf, Limehouse, Shadwell and Isle of Dogs.







    Meeting Place - first walk only



    Dockers to Wharfers: Canary Wharf



    Canary Wharf, Elizabeth Line station, Canada Place exit.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
  8. Life writing: getting started
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 23 Feb 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Lucy Popescu
    This inspiring workshop encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to create vivid and engaging life writing.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  9. Copies & copyists in antiquity: art, beauty and misunderstanding
    Course start date:  Thu 29 Feb 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Simone Chisena
    Explore the often-overlooked world of ancient copies and copyists, how their work helped to save art treasures for the future and how it impacts on our modern perception of the Ancient World.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00
  10. A stroll through British art: 1500-1850
    Course start date:  Wed 6 Mar 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Elizabeth Eyres
    On this informal gallery-based course you will explore and discuss the history and characteristics of British art from the 16th century to the mid-19th century. The course will take place offsite at both the National Gallery and Tate Britain.
    Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
  11. Study trip: Caravaggio in Rome
    Course start date:  Tue 16 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Marie-Anne Mancio
    Join us to explore Caravaggio’s Rome, Italy’s most historic city. This three-day tour with an expert art historian will reveal another dimension to Caravaggio’s practice, showing you some stunning baroque artworks. Maximum 14 places.
    Full fee £469.00 Senior fee £469.00 Concession £469.00
  12. An introduction to European decorative arts at the V&A
    Course start date:  Thu 18 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Andreas Petzold
    The Victoria and Albert Museum has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of European decorative arts in the world. This course aims to provide an introduction to these rich collections. It will focus on the period 1500 to 1900, but references later developments. The main media will be explored including textiles, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and silver.
    Full fee £89.00
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