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.
- An introduction to Indian comparative religionsCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaThe course is an introduction to Indian Religions. Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism all have common aspects, but also some fundamental differences in philosophy.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £30.00 - Plotinus and The OneCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John Goff“THE ONE is all things and no one of them; the source of all things is not all things; all things are its possession … ” Plotinus.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £30.00 - Jump start your playCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinHave you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper? Or a script you started long ago but never finished? This intensive short course is like a dramaturgy bootcamp. You’ll inject some new energy into your idea – and get a headstart at writing it. A perfect motivator to finally fulfill those playwriting resolutions, suitable only for those with playwriting experience.
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 £28.00 - Writing comedy for TV: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 13 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.
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 £28.00 - How to write a novelCourse start date: Mon 15 Aug 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Thomas McMullanThis course deals with all aspects of novel writing technique and prose style. Ideal for fiction writers about to begin a novel or those with a novel at early draft stage.
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 cityCourse start date: Sun 21 Aug 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Rowan Hisayo BuchananThrough a combination of close observation and texts both old and new, you'll explore the depiction of inner city life in fiction, and write your own fiction inspired by the urban landscape in this short course.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Lampooning London: Satire in the CityCourse start date: Wed 14 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondoners have never taken themselves too seriously & delight in making fun of themselves. This course examines the cultural history of satire in the city from the 18thC to today, from Dr Johnson to Steve Bell & beyond.
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 - Focus on: Cornelia ParkerCourse start date: Thu 15 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Chantal CondronDiscover the work of Cornelia Parker, one of the most engagingly inventive contemporary artists working in Britain today. Turner Prize nominee and Royal Academician, her multi-disciplinary practice embraces sculpture, installation, embroidery, photography and printmaking.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00 - A taste of creative writingCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive online short course. Ideal if you want to write but need help getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination.
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 screenwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.
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 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to poetry. 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 - Think like an artist: in 16th century VeniceCourse start date: Sun 18 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julia MusgraveFind out how the art of the mercantile republic of 16th century Venice reflects its unique location, trade routes and society.
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 - Political communication in the West in the 20th centuryCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christian SchneeIn the 2000s we saw the political communication move online, using social media, AI, network analysis etc. It is almost hard to imagine the times before this paradigm. Join Dr. Christian Schnee to explore political communication in the 20th century.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £50.00 - Phenomenology: the bodyCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: John GoffThe phenomenology of embodiment begins with bodily experience, language and being in the world. In what ways does phenomenology illuminate bodily being as sexed and non-sexed?
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 - The Russian Empire 1700-1917Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Spyridon TsoutsoumpisThis module examines the history of the Russian Empire from the reign of Peter the Great to the Revolution of 1917 and the rise of Lenin to power.
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 £50.00
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