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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- Magic in the ancient worldCourse start date: Wed 31 May 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ann JeffersHow do you define magic and divination? Why has the Western world traditionally viewed magic as opposed to religion and science? These and other issues will be discussed in this thought-provoking course.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Reading Images: Exploring Film studiesCourse start date: Wed 31 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina MassaccesiThis comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - All that Jazz: American Beat writingCourse start date: Thu 1 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Woody RiverThis course explores the excitement and innovation of the Beat Generation writers who emerged in the 1950s. We will examine their sources of inspiration while exploring their lives and the culture in which they lived. We will also consider their legacy and how their work and lifestyles shaped what was to come.
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 Socratic philosophers: PlatoCourse start date: Mon 5 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffPlato’s philosophy is the foundation of Western thought. It remains essential to a philosophical understanding the human condition.
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 - Space, time and class in the early 20th century: from Cubism to ConstructivismCourse start date: Tue 6 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Christopher CollierCubism, Futurism and Constructivism were pivotal movements in the history of modern art – encapsulating all the promise and peril of the 20th century’s troubled birth. From striving for rewrite the rules of representation, to the total transformation society itself, these movements tore up artistic convention, helping reshape perceptions of space, time, and class in the process.
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 - The Iliad reading group (in translation)Course start date: Wed 7 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Justin MurrayCome and explore Homer's great epic tale 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 - 'We're still here': new contemporary painting in the UK
Course start date: Fri 9 Jun 2023Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Chantal CondronLiving in a digital age, is contemporary painting ‘redundant'? This four week course explores how alive and kicking contemporary painting is in Britain. Discover how exciting, new UK-based artists use both experimental and traditional painting approaches to address issues of identity, history and personal experience.
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 - The Norwich School - a unique society of landscape painters Course start date: Fri 9 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresOn this course you will study the fascinating work of the 19th century Norwich School, a loose association of generations of painters from artistic families who worked in Norwich, Norfolk, one of the most important and wealthy regional capitals of the day. You will explore the beautiful landscapes produced by these artists and also discover work produced by remarkable women in the group.
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 - Dickens' London Course start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Molly Rumbelow'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Enjoy this introduction to Dickens' work and the London of his time. Morning lecture at City Lit followed by a walk in the area of the city connected to his work.Full fee £59.00 - The worlds of Toni Morrison: a study of BelovedCourse start date: Mon 12 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tobin BrothersToni Morrison’s lyric prose helps the reader grasp the psychological devastation wreaked by the institution of slavery by close observation of a community of ex-slaves re-creating their lives in the second half of the 19th century.
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 - Being and beauty: the philosophy of Japanese aestheticsCourse start date: Thu 15 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John GoffNot something apart from everyday life but intrinsic to it, beauty in Japanese thought does not entail perfection but the surprise of imperfect and transient being.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £45.00 - Writing non-fiction for children: a taster Course start date: Mon 26 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Catherine IngramOn this interactive taster course, you will explore children’s non-fiction writing; an exciting and wide-ranging field, encompassing biography, narrative non-fiction and the classic fact book.
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 - Art and critical theory: rethinking 'nature'Course start date: Wed 28 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the role of critical theory within the field of art history, and learn new ways of thinking about art by focusing on how recent authors have been rethinking our understanding of nature.
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 - Ways into creative writing: an introduction Course start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghNot 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 - Writing for children: a taster
Course start date: Tue 11 Jul 2023Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeDevelop your ideas for children's stories in this practical and interactive short course. Topics will include plot, characterisation and viewpoint, and how to approach the children's publishing industry today.
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
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