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.
- Global encounters between Europe, Japan, India, and China 1500-1700Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingWas it Gold, God or Glory that motivated expansion beyond Europe between 1500 and 1700? Using eye-witness accounts we explore the impact of cross-cultural encounters between the West and east Asia before the Age of Colonialism.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Ways into art history
Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Emma Rose BarberAn introduction to studying art history, inviting you to get close to works of art and learn how to improve your visual and analytical skills.
Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Getting away with murder: how to write crime fiction Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWant to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Empresses and KhatunsCourse start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingTravel across Europe and the Eurasian steppe to compare and contrast the role and status of Greek empresses with Seljuk and Mongolian khatuns.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Grammar for ancient languages: an introduction Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Justin MurraySuitable for complete beginners of ancient languages. Become familiar with the key grammar terminology and concepts that will enhance your learning. Highly recommended if you are starting to learn an ancient or classical language.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £32.00 - Between Greece and Rome: Etruscan art Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simone ChisenaExplore the figurative world of the elusive Etruscan civilization - from lavish painted tombs to enigmatic terracotta urns and majestic bronze sculptures.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Artistic traditions of Indigenous peoplesCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Caroline LevisseExplore the artefacts and artworks created by people from Indigenous communities and nations in this introductory course. You will learn about the artistic traditions of Native American peoples, the Sámi culture, Aboriginal Australians, and more. We will discuss the styles, and techniques, as well as narratives that are expressed in these objects.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bob SchultzLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - A short history of the Indian subcontinent Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ketan VariaThe India subcontinent is unique in its heritage and history. Join us for a tour of of the period from Pre-Aryans (c5000 BCE) to the start of the Mughal empire.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £136.00 - Ways into poetry Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Andrew WealeRelatively new to writing poetry? This inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Motherhood: Identity and Cultural ConstructCourse start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Catherine BergerThe subject of motherhood is experiencing a surge of interest across a variety of platforms: in literature, art, theory as well as political discourse, a generation of women are voicing the discontents and joys that come with the experience of parenthood and the role that they as mothers occupy in society, willingly or not. This course explores the topic across a range of examples and perspectives from the present and the recent past.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £116.00 - London's quartiersCourse start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sue JacksonThrough 1 lecture and 7 guided walks, explore some of London’s quartiers – Soho, Mayfair, Covent Garden, Spitalfields, Clerkenwell, St James and Bloomsbury and understand how their very distinct characters were formed. The first session will be delivered via Zoom and other sessions will be guided walks.
London guide: Sue Jackson.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - The rise of Europe: 1000-1300Course start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingWe explore rise of feudal monarchy in Western Europe; Islam and the Crusades; the growth of urban life; trade; and the so-called twelfth century renaissance.
Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Modern art: movements 1900-1950 Course start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresExplore art and culture in the early 20th century, focussing on the major developments and movements in art including Cubism, Abstraction, Dada and Surrealism and their relationship to wider cultural contexts.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
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