The Modern Contemporary Essay: Gore Vidal to Zadie Smith
This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects.
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.
Brian Dillon has described the Essay as an experiment in attention, a form that can stray into unexpected, speculative, even fantastical terrain. With the literary essay, the subject is often merely an alibi, a jumping-off point for embracing the unexpected. At its best, writes Cynthia Ozik, an essay invites us to share in the workings of a “free mind at play”.
What will we cover?
This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects.
Skewering the strangeness of modern life, our essayists explore with depth and playfulness topics including environmentalism, celebrity, the internet, neoliberalism, beauty, health fads, loneliness, exercise and mortality.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Draw on an enhanced critical vocabulary to describe, analyse and evaluate modern/contemporary literary essays.
—Understand and discuss contemporary critical approaches to a range of topical issues.
—Discuss the role and ethical implications of incorporating personal biography into essay-writing.
—Enjoy an awakened sense of how master practitioners of the essay form incorporate, braid and fuse a range of non-fiction sources to produce fascinating insights into their subjects.
—Appreciate the changing role and status of the essay in recent times: from magazine culture to literary journals to online forums.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for anyone who is interested in reading and discussing modern and contemporary essays.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at some biographical material about key essayists and interview clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.
Learners will read/discuss two essays each week. Readings will be provided close to the beginning of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The tutor will provide all essays and other reading materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look for other non-fiction courses in the Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction at www.citylit.ac.uk.
William Brady is a lecturer at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and is from Dublin. In 2019 he received his PhD in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin and has presented his research in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Croatia. He writes and lectures on contemporary literature, war writing, and psychogeography. A passionate Gaeilgeoir, he is on the committee of Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain, which promotes and organises events relating to Irish language and culture in London. He is also a contributor to the Nuacht Mhall podcast, which delivers news and current affairs at a gentle pace for learners of the Irish language.
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-modern-contemporary-essay-gore-vidal-to-zadie-smith3004153The Modern Contemporary Essay: Gore Vidal to Zadie Smithhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/autobiography-into-poetry-hw640-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary non-fiction228511771187127651228511771187<p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p> </p><p> </p>002694003The Modern Contemporary Essay: Gore Vidal to Zadie Smith179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/autobiography-into-poetry-hw640-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT24179179The Modern Contemporary Essay: Gore Vidal to Zadie Smith143116179William Bradythe-modern-contemporary-essay-gore-vidal-to-zadie-smith/hlt24-2526<p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p> </p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-05-12 00:00:00<p>Brian Dillon has described the Essay as an experiment in attention, a form that can stray into unexpected, speculative, even fantastical terrain. With the literary essay, the subject is often merely an alibi, a jumping-off point for embracing the unexpected. At its best, writes Cynthia Ozik, an essay invites us to share in the workings of a “free mind at play”.</p><p> </p><p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p>Skewering the strangeness of modern life, our essayists explore with depth and playfulness topics including environmentalism, celebrity, the internet, neoliberalism, beauty, health fads, loneliness, exercise and mortality.</p><p>Draw on an enhanced critical vocabulary to describe, analyse and evaluate modern/contemporary literary essays. </p><p>—Understand and discuss contemporary critical approaches to a range of topical issues.</p><p>—Discuss the role and ethical implications of incorporating personal biography into essay-writing. </p><p>—Enjoy an awakened sense of how master practitioners of the essay form incorporate, braid and fuse a range of non-fiction sources to produce fascinating insights into their subjects. </p><p>—Appreciate the changing role and status of the essay in recent times: from magazine culture to literary journals to online forums. </p><p>This is a course for anyone who is interested in reading and discussing modern and contemporary essays.</p><p>The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at some biographical material about key essayists and interview clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.</p><p>Learners will read/discuss two essays each week. Readings will be provided close to the beginning of the course. </p><p>The tutor will provide all essays and other reading materials.</p><p>Please look for other non-fiction courses in the Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureLiterary non-fictionvirtual143179116HLT24NONETue12/05/26 - 16/06/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetWilliam BradyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-12T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMay 2026Culture, history & humanities179179The Modern Contemporary Essay: Gore Vidal to Zadie Smiththe-modern-contemporary-essay-gore-vidal-to-zadie-smith/hlt24-2526<p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p> </p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-05-12 00:00:00<p>Brian Dillon has described the Essay as an experiment in attention, a form that can stray into unexpected, speculative, even fantastical terrain. With the literary essay, the subject is often merely an alibi, a jumping-off point for embracing the unexpected. At its best, writes Cynthia Ozik, an essay invites us to share in the workings of a “free mind at play”.</p><p> </p><p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This six-week course offers an insight into the creativity, passion and intellect behind some of the most celebrated exponents of the modern/contemporary essay form. From Gore Vidal to Joan Didion; Zadie Smith to Teju Cole, learners will encounter an exciting and eclectic range of voices, approaches and subjects. </p><p>Skewering the strangeness of modern life, our essayists explore with depth and playfulness topics including environmentalism, celebrity, the internet, neoliberalism, beauty, health fads, loneliness, exercise and mortality.</p><p>Draw on an enhanced critical vocabulary to describe, analyse and evaluate modern/contemporary literary essays. </p><p>—Understand and discuss contemporary critical approaches to a range of topical issues.</p><p>—Discuss the role and ethical implications of incorporating personal biography into essay-writing. </p><p>—Enjoy an awakened sense of how master practitioners of the essay form incorporate, braid and fuse a range of non-fiction sources to produce fascinating insights into their subjects. </p><p>—Appreciate the changing role and status of the essay in recent times: from magazine culture to literary journals to online forums. </p><p>This is a course for anyone who is interested in reading and discussing modern and contemporary essays.</p><p>The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at some biographical material about key essayists and interview clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.</p><p>Learners will read/discuss two essays each week. Readings will be provided close to the beginning of the course. </p><p>The tutor will provide all essays and other reading materials.</p><p>Please look for other non-fiction courses in the Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureLiterary non-fictionconfigurable
127651187Literary non-fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/literary-non-fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/127651/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary non-fiction
