Courses in democracy, rights and representation
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into being in 1948.
While born out of the Second world war and the Holocaust it also reflected the deeper histories of liberalism, revolutions, colonial rule, ideas of democratic rule, social movements and much, much more.
Today, however, the value of human rights, representation and democracy appears to be in doubt globally. Several of the indexes measuring freedom see backsliding on fundamental rights, the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press and more. And also here and the rest of the West.
At the college, we therefore want to highlight and explore all these histories and contemporary issues. Let us not take democracy, rights and representation for granted but work to understand better how we secured them through hard work over a long period of time so we don’t lose sight of what is required to preserve them.
You fill find courses across history, politics, philosophy and economics in the daytime and evening as well as face-to-face and online.
- The struggles for genuine ownership: perspectives on Decoloniality in West AfricaCourse start date: Sat 17 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sunday Abraham OgunodeJoin us to explore the challenges of pursuing decoloniaity in West Africa.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - 17th century England, revolution and restoration: Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate era
Course start date: Thu 22 May 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterA 'Brave, Bad Man?' Join us to explore the life of Oliver Cromwell, from his rise to power during the Civil Wars to his brief rule as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth in the period 1653-1658. We will also assess the brief rule of Cromwell's son, Richard, and his deposal in 1659.Where did it all go wrong for Richard?Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Modern France: from de Gaulle and the Resistance to MacronCourse start date: Thu 5 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien Ardouin(Re)discover France's complex politics during the Fourth and Fifth Republics, and the social challenges and tensions the country faced both at times of growth and modernisation and of crisis and doubts. - Women in the French RevolutionCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Zoe QuinnIn this taster explore how the French Revolution opened up opportunities for female political engagement and action. Through an overview and case studies we will try to answer why the significant social and political gains made by French women in the revolutionary era were to prove transitory.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - The US Civil Rights Movement: from Reconstruction to the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights ActCourse start date: Wed 18 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Zoe QuinnExplore the African American Civil Rights movement in the southern states from Reconstruction to the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Black British Studies: Ethnicity, Race and SocietyCourse start date: Mon 30 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michele ScottJoin our journey, examining modern day complexities. The critical deconstruction of race, ethnicity, inequalities, life chances and Institutionalised racism in contemporary Black British Life and society.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00 - Global issues Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThrough the study of some of the key actors and main issues that affect people across continents, you will gain the skills and knowledge to analyse today’s world and the challenges we all face. - History of ideas: human rights - from John Locke to John RawlsCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cristina PaternoJoin us on a captivating exploration of human rights history! In our sessions, we'll explore pivotal debates and innovative ideas across different epochs and cultures. Don't miss out on this enlightening journey!Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - The rise and fall of Empires in Modern Times 1885-1940Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alison ApplebyIn 1885, there were numerous empires, some solely in Europe, others spanning Asia and other parts of the world. Why did some of these empires collapse and others expand as a result of the Great War? N.B. no session on Thursday 29 May 2025.
Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - The British in India II: From Crown Rule to Independence 1858-1947Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ellen CarpenterDiscover how British people lived, worked, socialized and died in India. How did their treatment of India and Indians lead to increasing calls for equal rights and then independence by nationalists across the subcontinent?Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00
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