Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses

Joan Crawford was more than a movie star. From silent film ingénue to Oscar-winning actress, Crawford’s career spanned over four decades and reflected both the glamour and the grit of Hollywood’s golden age. This course explores how she shaped her own stardom, challenged the limits of the roles available to women, and crafted a persona that was equal parts elegance, ambition, and resilience.

An exploration of the Roman epic poem through its women, and of the women of mythology through the poem.

What is the significance of opium in Chinese History why were wars fought over it in the 1800's? Join Dr Chen to discover the history of opium in China in this Friday Late session.

On this course we will study the development of Japanese literature in the first half of the 20th century through four great novels: Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s Kappa, Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s The Makioka Sisters and Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country.

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters.

Explore the dramatic history of the Byzantine Empire from its Roman roots to its fall in 1453. This course offers a concise yet penetrating look at an empire that shaped both Europe and the Islamic world.

Explore the fundamentals of capitalism and technology on this beginner-friendly course.

Learn how to slow down looking to get more from art. This workshop-style session guides learners through different methods of art analysis to build confidence about and a greater understanding of visual art.