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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- Writing flash fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 28 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuFlash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative 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 - American political institutionsCourse start date: Thu 2 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark MalcomsonThis four-week interactive lecture-based course examines the US political system from its inception to today – reviewing its structure and constituent parts.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £35.00 - A taste of poetry
Course start date: Fri 3 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Billie ManningThis 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 - Writing protest poetryCourse start date: Sat 4 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Megan BeechIn these times of great political upheaval, protest poetry has never been so important.
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 - World-building for fantasy and speculative fiction writersCourse start date: Sat 4 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaLearn how to build worlds that lend your fantasy or speculative fiction credibility, richness and the kind of depth that leaves readers wanting more.
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 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle paceCourse start date: Wed 8 Feb 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghAre you brand new to creative writing? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a creative writer.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00 - The art of writing the personal essayCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Yvonne SinghFollow in the footsteps of Dorothy Parker, George Orwell and Zadie Smith with this taster course on the personal essay, a continuously thriving genre of autobiographical 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 - Writing the prose poem: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Helen CoxA form that’s flowered in recent years, this short course will guide you to write your own prose poetry.
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 - Writing about food: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Laura SilvermanLove food and want to write about it? Whether you’re keen to review dishes, interview chefs or write about sustainable eating, now is your chance.
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 - Writing for blogs: a tasterGot a passion, a journey or an obsession to share? Blogging is the perfect medium through which to share your interests with the world. This workshop teaches the essential skills required to write blogposts that will resonate.
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 - Academic writing: first stepsCourse start date: Sat 11 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anne WilsonLearn the basics of the academic approach to writing, including how to change your own style so that it fits this essential register for university students and researchers.
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 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Sat 18 Feb 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (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.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - A short history of the Indian subcontinentCourse start date: Tue 14 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ketan VariaThe India subcontinent is unique in its heritage and history. It has lasted through invasion, political change and assimilation. It is home to the one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the Indus Valley.
The subcontinent’s contribution to language (Sanskrit) and great philosophies (Vedic, Buddhism Jainism and Sikhism) is well known. From its land, has been the emergence of Sanskrit, the concept of the soul and liberation and the invention of the number ‘zero’ - a cornerstone in all mathematics.
Our course will cover the period from Pre-Aryans (c5000BC) to the start of the Mughal empire.
The course will be interactive with a chance for discussion on Indian history & politics and its impact on Indian culture and tradition.
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 - Crusade and Reconquest in Medieval SpainCourse start date: Tue 14 Feb 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael SchraerThrough interactive lectures and discussions Investigate the ideologies, events and motivations as Christian kingdoms conquered the territories of Muslim Al-Andalus, culminating in the fall of Granada in 1492 and the end of Islamic Spain. Tutor: Michael Schraer.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £45.00 - How to get publishedCourse start date: Mon 10 Jul 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
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