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. The Norwich School - a unique society of landscape painters
    Course start date:  Fri 9 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Elizabeth Eyres
    On 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
  2. Being and beauty: the philosophy of Japanese aesthetics
    Course start date:  Thu 15 Jun 2023

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  John Goff
    Not 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
    Rating:
    96% of 100
  3. Representing nature in early modern Europe
    Course start date:  Wed 21 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Thomas Balfe
    Explore the links between the visual image and ideas of nature in early modernity (c.1500-1750). At this time, tools like the microscope were visualising nature in new ways, changes were afoot in how humans related to animals, and the environments of Asia and the Americas were becoming more familiar to Europeans. We will focus on how artists and skilled artisans engaged with these subjects.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00
  4. Art and critical theory: rethinking 'nature'
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 28 Jun 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Irina Chkhaidze
    Explore 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
  5. How to get published
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 13 Feb 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Neil Arksey
    So 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 £139.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  6. Writing and rewriting fairytales
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Jul 2023 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Lucy Popescu
    Once upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  7. The writings of Cicero: an introduction
    Course start date:  Fri 21 Jul 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sean Gabb
    An introduction to one of the most influential and prolific Roman writers, Cicero, his life and works.



    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
    Rating:
    80% of 100
  8. How to write a memoir
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 26 Jul 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Julie Garton
    Do you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00
  9. Hitchcock's British films
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 20 Sep 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Alfred Hitchcock established his reputation early on in his British career, particularly with a series of thrillers that showcased his distinctive style. This course explores his British films and the factors that helped to shape his filmmaking and, subsequently, his reputation as a major film artist, while also considering his position in, and relationship to British cinema of the 1920s and 1930s.



    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
  10. What do mathematicians do? An introduction to the philosophy of maths
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 21 Sep 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Oliver Josiah
    This course offers the opportunity to explore fascinating questions concerning the nature of mathematical knowledge by providing an introduction to four major 19th and 20th century philosophies of mathematics.



    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
  11. Nuns, tarts, trouble and strife: medieval women (1)
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 26 Sep 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    We will look beyond the myth of the meek fair maiden and see what life was really like for women in the middle ages. From the cradle to the grave, rich and poor.



    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
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