What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course is introductory and meant to give you a sense of the breadth of both history as a way to think about the world and the history courses offered at City Lit.
What will we cover?
We will touch upon different aspects of how societies around the world engage the past through history and memory.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Our emphasis will be on connecting and discussing a range of topics with their deeper histories to showcase the value of thinking about, with and through history.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be a combination of some sections of teacher presentation and class discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you might find a notebook or an additional electronic device useful for notes.
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/taster-why-are-history-and-memory-important1448491Taster: Why are history and memory important?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/4/2/4292-2025-02-19-city-lit.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage/Courses/Taster courses/Courses/Online courses2285117711781907180317311228511771178What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.153031003Taster: Why are history and memory important?1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/4/2/4292-2025-02-19-city-lit_2.jpgInStockDaytimeMonOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHMI371919Taster: Why are history and memory important?151219Olivia Durandtaster-why-are-history-and-memory-important/hmi37-2627What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00This course is introductory and meant to give you a sense of the breadth of both history as a way to think about the world and the history courses offered at City Lit.What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.We will touch upon different aspects of how societies around the world engage the past through history and memory.Our emphasis will be on connecting and discussing a range of topics with their deeper histories to showcase the value of thinking about, with and through history.This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.<br><br>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<br><br>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.The class will be a combination of some sections of teacher presentation and class discussion.There are no additional costs, but you might find a notebook or an additional electronic device useful for notes.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming Histories, memory and heritage courses here. </a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore our full range of history courses here.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p><p> </p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritagevirtual151912HMI37NONEMon02/11/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineOlivia DurandBeginnersAvailable courses2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Taster: Why are history and memory important?taster-why-are-history-and-memory-important/hmi37-2627What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00This course is introductory and meant to give you a sense of the breadth of both history as a way to think about the world and the history courses offered at City Lit.What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.We will touch upon different aspects of how societies around the world engage the past through history and memory.Our emphasis will be on connecting and discussing a range of topics with their deeper histories to showcase the value of thinking about, with and through history.This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.<br><br>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<br><br>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.The class will be a combination of some sections of teacher presentation and class discussion.There are no additional costs, but you might find a notebook or an additional electronic device useful for notes.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming Histories, memory and heritage courses here.&nbsp;</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore our full range of history courses here.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritageconfigurable
19071178Histories, memories & heritagehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/19071/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage
