Hollywood and Politics
Hollywood and Politics An account of how Hollywood has portrayed the world of politics and responded to political issues. Included will be reference to the Depression/New Deal and the Cold War/McCarthyism. John Raisbeck
More details ...The Other Brontë Girl
The Other Brontë Girl. This course will concentrate on the often neglected Brontë sister Anne. Her two novels The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey provide fascinating accounts of the lives of women facing the challenges of a patriarchal … More details …
Who is the “I” in this poem?
Who is the “I” in this poem? Explore the way poets use their own personal experience to create their work, introducing such concepts as ‘persona’ and ‘poetic voice’, but focusing primarily on the pleasure of reading poetry. What is autobiographical … More details …
The Elizabethan Theatre
Elizabeth Theatre Between the building of the first English theatre in 1576 until the death of Elizabeth in 1603, some of the greatest plays ever written were produced and acted in London. We will consider how the theatres were built, … More details …
Masters of the Northern Renaissance
Masters of the Northern Renaissance ‘Renaissance’ conjures up images of Tuscany, but this course will focus on work from Flanders, the Spanish Netherlands and Germany. We will examine portraits, still-lifes, religious subjects and genre scenes by artists such as Jan … More details …
Spencer’s World: The Art of Stanley Spencer
Stanley Spencer is one of the most enigmatic painters of the 20th century. He was a painter of imaginative and religious subjects, of landscapes and portraits and an official war artist of both World Wars. His phenomenal output is considered … More details …
Looking at Old Churches
This Study Day is designed to encourage a systematic approach when confronted with an old building which may not be familiar. It is often helpful to ask a set of questions, which when completed may help to provide a reasonable … More details …
The Tragical History of Dr Faustus
The legend of Dr Faustus has inspired some of the greatest works of art ever since it first appeared in the 16th century Playwrights, poets, novelists, film directors and composers have all interpreted the story. We will consider its different … More details …
The Life and Work of Grayson Perry
An introductory look at the work of Grayson Perry. This study day will be an examination of the multi-disciplinary artist best known for his ceramics, tapestries and cross-dressing. Along with the Julie Cope tapestries, we shall discover his pottery and … More details …
The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett: a novel of provincial life.
We will discuss this novel of provincial life, and consider how it reflects its period and what it says to ours. We shall be looking for key themes and at the impact the novel had on other writers. This novel … More details …
The History and Natural History of British Gardens
The history and natural history of British gardens. An introduction to gardens of the British Isles, the gardeners their plants and colourful wildlife. Some of the best gardens in the world are to be found in the British Isles, this … More details …
What’s in a name? Your family through the ages.
What’s in a name? Your family through the ages The course is intended to be a relaxed and informal introduction to genealogy – with audience participation. It is aimed at complete beginners interested in understanding the richness and depth of the … More details …
Reading Paintings: Genre Pictures
From Jan Steen to Johannes Vermeer, some great artists painted genre scenes (pictures of everyday life). This course analyses some of the finest examples, including tavern scenes, brothel scenes, and servants at work. These paintings tell us an enormous amount … More details …
“The Rhyming Peasant” John Clare
John Clare, the ‘rhyming peasant’: poetry of dwelling and displacement in the late Romantic period. We shall explore Clare’s unique voice in English poetry through a reading of select poems about nature and his local environment in the first half … More details …
Bad Science and Bad Philosophy
Bad science and bad philosophy is a beginners friendly look at the world of bogus science and confused philosophical thinking. The course will look at some of the contemporary debates and controversies surrounding science and its popular understanding. With guided … More details …