History, Culture & Writing Courses in London
We offer an extraordinary range of courses during the day, in the evening and at weekends, from the most popular subjects to the completely unique, including film studies, creative and non-fiction writing courses and American history courses. Many of our tutors are nationally recognised in their fields, including published authors, and practising professionals in the media. As a learner you can also benefit from our partnerships with organisations such as the British Film Institute and close links with The British Museum, the London Transport Museum and many others.
Want to speak to a member of the Humanities Team to find out more about our courses? Call us on 020 7492 2652 or email us on [email protected]
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Build gift vouchers- the perfect gift
Looking for that perfect present? Treat someone to the gift of learning with a course at Build. Available from £10, our gift vouchers can be used to book a place on any of our courses, from London walks and food tasting to museum visits, poetry and much more. Simply purchase your voucher and the recipient can choose from thousands of courses, at a time which suits them.From: £10.00 -
Masters of cinema: Quentin Tarantino
Course Date: Tue 19 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetWith Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino’s penultimate film, due for release in the summer, we will look at how it functions as a culmination of this director’s distinctive body of work. From Reservoir Dogs to Kill Bill to The Hateful Eight, we address Tarantino’s techniques as a writer-director, his engagement with different world cinemas, and his controversial treatment of violence, race, and gender.Full fee: £109.00Senior fee: £109.00Concession: £48.00 -
The making of American power: US foreign policy from the Cold War to Trump
Course Date: Thu 21 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetFollow the ascendancy of American power, from 1945 up to the Trump administration, through a history of wars, foreign interventions and “soft power”. This course is a broad survey of America’s changing place in the world, investigating the relationship between domestic and international politics. Tutor: Jack Gain.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £52.00 -
Late medieval Spain: 1300 - 1500
Course Date: Thu 21 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThrough interactive lectures and discussions, this course aims to explain how the three religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism interacted in the Iberian peninsula. It charts the dramatic social changes of the 14th century wrought by famine, plague and economic crises. At the same time, it studies the key political developments which led to the emergence of a united Spanish kingdom, the precursor to the Empire. Tutor: Michael Schraer.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £103.00Concession: £57.00 -
Writing political comedy
Course Date: Sat 23 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetWhen it comes to subjects for comedy, the news media never seems to run out. Learn to write political comedy from pithy one liners to satirical columns and monologues using techniques from professional comedy script writers.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Neo-Confucianism
Course Date: Sat 23 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetNeo-Confucianism attempted to situate Confucian thought in a wider practical and ethical context by drawing on elements of Buddhism and Daoism and applying itself to worldy affairs.Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £39.00Concession: £25.00 -
Digital contemporary poetry: platforms and practices for the modern-day poet
Course Date: Sat 23 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThe digital world has opened up a universe of opportunity for budding poets, but how do writers make the most of this constantly changing platform? Find out on our Digital contemporary poetry workshop.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
European horror cinema
Course Date: Sat 23 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore European horror cinema from its beginnings to the present day, looking at its history, themes, key directors and the ways in which it has often offered audiences a more challenging experience of the genre.Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £39.00Concession: £25.00 -
Advanced creative non-fiction: workshop
Course Date: Mon 25 Feb 2019 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis five-week workshop is designed for students who have already completed introductory and intermediate creative-non fiction courses and would like to focus on workshopping their writing.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £99.00Concession: £40.00 -
Marilyn Monroe: origins and influences
Course Date: Tue 26 Feb 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetWe will focus on the creation of Marilyn Monroe’s onscreen persona, and the psychological underpinnings that shaped not only how she projected herself, but also the influence of her image in wider popular culture over many decades.Full fee: £109.00Senior fee: £109.00Concession: £48.00 -
Autobiographical writing: an introduction
Course Date: Tue 26 Feb 2019 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis short course explores the basic elements of writing autobiography drawing on memories, diaries, photos, dreams and fantasies with a focus on the forms of autobiography, memoir and the personal essay.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £48.00 -
Writing a memoir: an introduction
Course Date: Wed 27 Feb 2019 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetSome moments in our lives are so powerful they beg to be shared with the world. This six week course will help you plan and craft a memoir that will resonate and inspire.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £48.00 -
Ways into creative writing: an introduction
Course Date: Thu 28 Feb 2019 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on this fun and supportive short course covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £48.00 -
An introduction to British cinema
Course Date: Fri 1 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis course explores key areas in British cinema, including national cinema, art cinema and popular cinema, key critical responses to British cinema and British film history, along with issues such as the 'heritage' film.Full fee: £109.00Senior fee: £109.00Concession: £48.00 -
Ghostwriting a true life story
Course Date: Fri 1 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetEver wanted to co-author or ghostwrite an autobiographical or biographical story? This fun, interactive taster session offers students the opportunity to learn more about this popular branch of non-fiction writing.Full fee: £19.00Senior fee: £19.00Concession: £19.00 -
Ibsen's women
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetFocusing on Hedda from Hedda Gabler, Nora from A Doll's House and Mrs. Alving from Ghosts, we will read, view and discuss extracts from Ibsen's plays.Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £39.00Concession: £25.00 -
Craft focus: setting in fiction
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis taster workshop teaches students how to use setting to enrich their stories.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
John Keats: 'The vale of soul making'
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteKeats pursued – vigorously and brilliantly – questions related to ultimate truths. We shall consider a representative selection of his poetry and letters, reflecting on how their creative insights can help illuminate our own experience and aspirations.Full fee: £39.00Senior fee: £31.00Concession: £20.00 -
Roman women
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThe lives and importance of women in Republican and Imperial Ancient Rome and Roman Britain including the importance of the worship of goddesses. Visit to the British Museum included.Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £39.00Concession: £30.00 -
The Vichy regime
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetBorn out of the defeat of 1940, the Vichy regime is one of the darkest periods in French history. Even if Marshal Pétain pretended he was sheltering the country from excessive demands by the Nazis, the government and administration offered themselves to the service of the enemy, often for the worst. Tutor: Sebastien Ardouin.Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £39.00Concession: £25.00 -
Re-imagining the horror film in the 21st century: women, race and the family
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetHorror films have never been more popular. This course will look at recent horror films such as Get Out, Raw and The Babadook and the ways they provide an outlet for some real contemporary fears.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £47.00Concession: £30.00 -
Writing haiku poetry
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn how to write haikus that resonate, move and entertain on this fun day workshop.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Television screenwriting: an introduction
Course Date: Sat 2 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDo you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Examine the structure of an episodic television drama and explore approaches to the genre.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00 -
Cities of Gold: Native American Cities Before Columbus
Course Date: Wed 6 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore the little known history of pre-Columbian civilizations North of Mexico and their links to Aztec and other Mexican cultures.Full fee: £109.00Senior fee: £109.00Concession: £66.00 -
The journalist's toolkit: from inspiration to publication
Course Date: Sat 9 Mar 2019
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis informative day workshop teaches students about the essential journalistic tools and techniques to effectively pitch and writing articles across a range of mediums.Full fee: £59.00Senior fee: £59.00Concession: £24.00
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