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Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you鈥檙e looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you鈥檙e in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your skills so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you鈥檇 expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There鈥檚 also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect whether you鈥檙e a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you鈥檝e got a choice too, from courses on subjects you鈥檇 expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

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Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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Film & Media: 5 Classic British Crime Thrillers Revisited

What does it take to keep the audience on the edge of their seat for the classic film thriller experience? What happens when crime is thrown into the mix? We explore five examples now regarded as classics of this genre and question 鈥 do they all have far more than 鈥榡ust鈥 generic entertainment value? For a brief period in the 1980s, it appeared as though the crime thriller expressed something about what was perhaps a changing, or changed Britain 鈥 we examine two of these films, The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa. Classics such as Brighton Rock provide an interesting and historical British cinematic parallel to the gangster and noir films of 30s and 40s U.S. Whereas, Get Carter, a film now regarded as an icon of national cinema was initially conceived as a trashy 鈥榩ot-boiler鈥 for the U.S drive-in market, leaving some to argue it could be viewed as more of a 鈥榬evenge Western鈥 set in North East England? Whilst Danny Boyle鈥檚 Shallow Grave seemingly reinvigorates the genre into something arguably more sophisticated and/or accessible in the 1990s? What common techniques do these films employ and what do they say thematically about reoccurring anxieties and tensions of the societies which produced and consumed them? Can filmmakers still learn from these or have some now dated in their power to keep us on the edge of the seat? Mona Lisa (1986), The Long Good Friday (1980), Get Carter (1971), Brighton Rock (1948), Shallow Grave (1994).

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 21/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00018209
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to 拢37.00

Film Studies: 10 Award Winners Revisited

From the Academy Awards (nicknamed - 鈥楾he Oscars鈥) to Cannes and the BAFTAs, sometimes it seems as though one film often dominates major categories, in 2024 this was Oppenheimer, but what were the judges really looking for, are box office figures really enough to stand the test of time with audiences? We compare this to films such as Gone With the Wind, a film still well known and highly regarded but now increasing questioned for its representation of slavery and questionable moments of morality. Do we need to remember and appreciate what this film won its awards for in the first place? Smaller scale, more micro-budget film productions such as Bait as perhaps just as important for their creative innovation and social commentary on a moment in time/history - yet it takes a different kind of award to recognise this 鈥 are awards more important for getting emerging talent recognised way from the box office. How important are awards for 鈥業nternational鈥 cinema such as The Power of the Dog, The Boy and the Heron and Perfect Days 鈥 what does this term really mean? Do award winning films say as much if not more about the sociological, political, technological and/or pop-cultural moments in time they were made as much as anything else? From the big hits to a near miss or two, we have fun, discuss and come to understand and appreciate the themes, approaches and creative decisions behind each of these films, broaden our knowledge of the subject area and cinema in general. The Holdovers (2023), Oppenheimer (2023), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), Perfect Days (2023), The Conversation (1974), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Power of the Dog (2021) Bait (2019), The Boy and the Heron (2023) Oliver! (1968).

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00018211
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢84.00

Art Appreciation: British Art of the 20th Century

British art of the twentieth century is outstanding for its range of interest, style and inherent individualism.聽 This seven week online course explores the richness and diversity of the fascinating work of a range of artists including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Henry Moore. We will also look at the portraits of Lucian Freud and Modern Art and the Great War. No previous experience is necessary聽 - just a lively, open-minded interest in art!聽 The social, cultural, political and historical context in which these works were produced

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 11/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00018676
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢51.80

Literature: English Poetry from Shakespeare to today

The Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley famously said that 鈥楶oets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.鈥 This course tracks the development of English poetry, from the sonnets of Shakespeare to the contemporary poetry of Jack Underwood, Emily Berry, and Rachael Allen. As well as considering each of the poets in isolation from week to week, we will also use the seven week course to ask ourselves: how has poetry developed through the years, and what has remained the same? As well as considering each of the poets and poems in isolation from week to week, we will also take the opportunity to compare what aspects No previous knowledge of poetry is necessary 鈥 everybody is most welcome!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 11/11/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Joseph Williams
Course code:
Q00018730
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢74.00

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
拢15

Intermediate Latin

Did you know that learning Latin can enrich your knowledge in all sorts of other areas? Far from being 鈥渄ead鈥, Latin is all around us. This intermediate Latin course can give you essential background knowledge to understand terminology in law, medicine, family history, and many other subjects. Latin has hundreds of applications in contemporary contexts. This course is ideal for you if you鈥檙e interested in learning Latin, or gaining general knowledge to help you learn modern languages or other disciplines.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 04/02/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Penelope Fewster
Course code:
Q00017595
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢111.00

Literature: A Feast of Fiction

Each week we focus on a classic work of fiction, reading and discussing key passages. The texts include short novels which can be read in one week, and longer novels which we鈥檒l study over two weeks. The course is organised chronologically and spans over130 years, from the late 19th century to modern times. We begin with Oscar Wilde鈥檚 The Picture of Dorian Grey and end with Claire Keegan鈥檚 Small Things Like These. We鈥檒l share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Redbridge Institute of Adult Education (
Gaysham Avenue
Gants Hill
Ilford
IG2 6TD
Tutor:
Brandon Robshaw
Course code:
Q00017552
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢100.00

Film & Media: 5 Flights of Fantasy

Are too many too quick to dismiss the fantasy genre as pure entertainment and/or escapist spectacle? Are there varying degrees of fantasy on screen, rendering the term fantasy film as something rather too broad? We examine a selection of five films, all using elements of fantasy to tell their stories. In Orlando, adapted from literature, elements of fantasy are used to highlight inequalities within society. Young Einstein, a film derided by critics in the U.S, makes use of alterative history and elements of surrealism to both entertain and arguably present some deeper comments regarding humanity and innovation, does its fantastical approach help or hinder? Labyrinth offers a unique screen vision by immersing the viewer in a vivid fantasy world earning itself cult status to this day but is it for children, adults or both? Spirited Away makes use of animation to comment on the modern world, here, the fantasy element is fundamental to its approach. More recent films such as Barbie prove fantasy can be big at the box office, using a variety of different approaches to both entertain and relevant social comment. Are all these fantasy films as much if not far more than meet the eye? Are there any reoccurring themes approaches? And is fantasy an ideal medium for the screen? Orlando (1992), Young Einstein (1988), Labyrinth (1986), Barbie (2023), Spirited Away (2001).

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00018213
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢37.00

Creative Writing: Return of the Writers Roulette Workshops

With a series of sessions all designed to help you discover/rediscover and develop your own new and/or existing story ideas - be these a short story, a novel - or if you just aren't sure or even started writing yet. The return of this fun, friendly and structured approach to aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and get writing as we let fate guide us! We let the 'hand of fate' take us on a fresh approach to finding & maintaining that vital spark of inspiration, motivation to write fiction. A spin of the wheel will decide the subject area, theme or tasks for the week in a fun and friendly chance to meet and share ideas with others, exploring useful tricks and tips - whilst importantly gaining some quality information, developing some genuine writing skills and getting writing!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00018216
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢37.00

Art Appreciation: Satire to Propaganda

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social and political developments of their times No previous experience is necessary聽 - just a lively, open-minded interest in art! Topics to be covered will include the works of William Hogarth, Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, Georg Grosz and Otto Dix; the works of the American Ashcan School (c1890-1914) and Soviet Socialist Realism (1930-); and the social, cultural and political context in which these works were produced.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 12/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00018463
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢51.80

Creative Writing: Take a Picture, Tell its Story

The purpose of this course is to aid you in finding the confidence and inspiration to get writing, using photographs as stimulus to creating original writing and developing creative skills. Using your own photography, we will create a unique piece of writing which can be fact or fiction. You will learn some handy tips and tricks to really bring out the writer in you!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
6:45pm - 8:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00010291
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢37.00