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. Lunchtime lecture: sanctuary in the city - public art by refugees and immigrants in the city
    Course start date:  Fri 8 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene
    Come on a virtual tour of public art through the City of London created by Refugees and Immigrants. We will explore artworks such as the 17th century carvings on the Monument and a Victorian plaques relocated on to the post Modern Number One Poultry by economic immigrants to the country as well as looking at mainly works by 20th century artists from refugee backgrounds who were either commissioned to make art works for site specific places or their works have been bought or moved to their locations.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £15.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £10.00
  2. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  3. Film studies taster
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 2 Dec 2023 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - March 2024).
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
  4. Lunchtime lecture: angels in art
    Course start date:  Wed 13 Dec 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Emma Rose Barber
    Angels have always made their mark – wings and all. And this course will explore painted and carved angels in western art in all their ways and fashions, from the archangels to Christmas angels to those just flying in to say hello.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £7.00
  5. Contemporary cinema: the best films of the year
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 8 Jan 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  John Wischmeyer
    This course on contemporary/current cinema crucially coincides with the wide variety of films released during Bafta/Oscars awards season. It provides a weekly ‘what’s on’ of new releases. The first session is a wide-ranging discussion and debate about favourite films of the past year, from which emerges a definitive student list of best films, modified as we view and review current films week-by-week. This course is now more timely than ever as we continue to support cinema-going. The course meets in City Lit’s own Cultureplex cinema at Keeley Street.
    Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £129.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
  6. Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00
    Rating:
    92% of 100
  7. 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
  8. Writing fiction
    Last Few Places
    Course start date:  Mon 18 Sep 2023 (and 8 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Alex Pickett
    Develop your creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction-writing craft, such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00
    Rating:
    87% of 100
  9. Modern political philosophy: ideas and ideologies in the 21st century
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 8 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Christopher Horner
    What are the key philosophical ideas behind the issues and debates of today? This is an opportunity to explore in more depth the concepts and ideologies that are shaping the politics of the 21st century.
    Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  10. Being in the world: Heidegger's philosophy
    Course start date:  Mon 8 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  John Goff
    “The being of 'being' is itself not a being”. Questioning the meaning of ‘Being’ lies at the root of Heidegger’s critique of the ‘crisis’ of Western culture that his philosophy sought to overcome.
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00
    Rating:
    87% of 100
  11. Picture book writing: advanced
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 8 Jan 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Andrew Weale
    Would you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone their skills and improve their own stories.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  12. Philosophy and memory
    Course start date:  Tue 9 Jan 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Anita Kasabova
    What is memory? How does memory impact our sense of self and time? Why does memory often go wrong? If our memory is unreliable, can it provide knowledge of our personal past? What is collective memory? This course explores memory from philosophical and psychological perspectives.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00
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