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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of 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, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online 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.
- John Company: The Rise & Fall of the East India CompanyCourse start date: Tue 13 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterFounded in 1600, by the 1800s the East India Company had become one of the most powerful trading companies in the world, laying the foundations for the transition to British crown rule in India in 1858. Join us as we explore key events in India and the EIC’s history – why did ‘John Company’ become so influential and how did Indian Nawabs and Mughal Emperors resist its seemingly ever-expanding powers?Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £70.00 - Women in art 1400-1800
Course start date: Tue 13 Sep 2022Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresThere were a significant number of highly talented female artists active during the 15th to 18th centuries, so why is their work not more famous? This course investigates and redresses this gender inequality.
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 £111.00 Concession £90.00 - Rising Powers: BrazilCourse start date: Wed 14 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinBrazil's rise has been impressive but seems to have stalled. What are the factors the country’s growing presence and the challenges Latin America's leading power faces in its endeavour to achieve its international ambitions?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £55.00 - Art in Britain 1950-2000 - 'This is Tomorrow' (Part 1)Course start date: Thu 15 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Chantal CondronDiscover the work of selected British artists whose innovative practice shaped the development of modern art in Britain from the 1950s to the 1970s. Explore how and why the ideas and themes behind their work continue to be relevant to today’s audiences.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Get inspired to write on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. Learn to carry out research, interview people, pitch and publish stories, and build your presence on social media.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Understanding contemporary art: ideas and originsCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Christopher CollierEver wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.
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 £90.00 - Anthropology: what is anthropology?Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Max CarocciThis introductory online course gives you the basic tools for an elementary understanding of anthropology. We will identify methods and areas of concern that distinguish it from sociology, history and other disciplines.
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 - Innovators: meet the VictoriansCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterWhat did the Victorians do for us? Taking a different topic each week, we will explore a range of innovations in the era, from engineering, public health and industry, to crime detection and nursing.
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 - Poetry workshop: intensiveCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayWant to have your poems critiqued in a supportive environment? This intensive poetry workshop focuses on offering feedback to poets who have already written a selection of poems and are looking to push their writing further.
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 - Art in the 1920s and 1930s: architecture and designCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie BarlowDiscover how architects and designers in the interwar period reacted to both cultural and societal change. Explore the experimental world of architecture and design in the art deco and Bauhaus period.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - Writing non-fiction for children: an introductionCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Catherine IngramLearn how to write children’s non-fiction on this exciting and interactive course encompassing classic fact book, biography and narrative. You will also get an opportunity to practise and get some feedback on your writing.
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 - Autobiographical writing: an introductionCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonThis short course explores the basic elements of writing autobiography drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - How to Read a Film: A Beginners' Guide to CinemaCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Paul SuttonThis course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £71.00 - Fakes and forgeriesCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayWhat gives an artwork get its value? Investigate the very fine boundary between the real and the fake and who makes the call by looking at various interpretations of authenticity.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - 17th century England, revolution and restoration: James I and Charles ICourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterExplore the early Stuart dynasty, from the accession of James I in 1603, until the outbreak of Civil War during the reign of Charles I in 1642.
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
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