Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses
Explore our extraordinary range of Humanities courses and lectures. We offer both introductory and specialist in-depth courses to suit all levels of interest and experience, from one-off courses in History, Politics, and Economics to in-depth courses in Art History, Film Studies, Literature, and Science and Nature.
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.
- Mrs. Dalloway’s Party
Course start date: Sat 8 Nov 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Linda Grant2025 is the centenary of the first publication of Virgina Woolf's Mrs Dalloway - to celebrate that innovative and well-loved novel, this one-day course will look at the short stories that Woolf wrote which take place at and around Clarissa Dalloway's party, opening up a deeper way of understanding the material and psychic contours of Mrs Dalloway's world.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Creative writing: getting started Course start date: Sat 8 Nov 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: William BradyGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into art history: a study day Course start date: Sat 8 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersEnjoy an introductory sample of Art History and develop some basic skills in formal and content analysis, material studies, and discussion of determinative factors such as patronage and politics.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - A journey in the history and culture of SicilyCourse start date: Sat 8 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinThis weekend course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Indigenous Australian art: an introduction Course start date: Thu 13 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Arjmand AzizExplore with this course a theme rarely studied for itself: artefacts and artworks created by people from indigenous communities and nations. You will learn about the artistic traditions of Native American peoples, the Sámi, Aboriginal Australians, and more. We will discuss the styles, and techniques, as well as narratives that are expressed in these objects.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Contested histories: monuments, memory and powerCourse start date: Thu 13 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vincent MarquisWhy do we build monuments, and what do they leave out? This course explores how memorials shape—and are shaped by—politics, memory, and power.
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Micro-memoir: a taster Course start date: Fri 14 Nov 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyA life is measured in moments as well as momentous occasions. This fun workshop coaches students in the art of micro-memoir. Can you write about an instant that changed you in 200 words or less?
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Interpreting the Bible: key skills and texts Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrew GreyDiscover and explore key principles, knowledge and skills for interpreting the Bible, and apply them to select texts from the Old and New Testament.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Film studies taster Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul SuttonLearn 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 2026).Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - An artistic history of Jerusalem Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Roberta MarinJerusalem is considered the holy city for the three monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and is one of the most iconic cities in the world.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Study day: Modern art and colour – from post-impressionism to fauvism Course start date: Sat 15 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersExplore the experimental use of colour and form in the late nineteenth century post-Impressionists and Symbolists paintings, and study its impact on the Fauve artists, with focus on Matisse.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - The Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi: His message and relevance to the modern world Course start date: Mon 17 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ketan VariaMahatma Gandhi’s messages are profound and based both on his lived experience and intellectual power. His views on truth seeking and non-violent action have inspired many, particularly in the civil rights movements. Join this online course to find out more about his philosophy and consider its continued relevance in the 21st century.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Love and marriage in Renaissance art Course start date: Tue 18 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lydia GoodsonGain a new perspective on the Renaissance by exploring the material culture of love, marriage, and childbirth in Renaissance Italy. Join us for a fascinating dive into the world of the Renaissance family.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Tuesday Late Latin American History with Dr Anna Grimaldi: Che Guevara's RevolutionsCourse start date: Tue 18 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anna GrimaldiWe're all familiar with the image of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara - but why is the idea of this man still so powerful, even 65 years after the Cuban Revolution? Join Dr Anna Grimaldi to explore Guevara's life, ideology, impact and legacies.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Economic paradigms: are there alternatives to capitalism? Course start date: Wed 19 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Caglar EzikogluExplore diverse economic theories beyond capitalism in economic paradigms with regards to the alternatives of capitalism and broaden your understanding of global economic systems.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £84.00
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