Learning about the world around us

Here at the WEA we offer a huge range of humanities and science courses, with something for everyone.  

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If you’re interested in the natural world, our geography and environment courses are the perfect choice. Our packed curriculum explores some of the biggest issues facing society, such as climate change and the fight against the destruction of some of Earth’s most precious resources. The option to learn in person or online means that our geography courses can whisk you away to a far-flung corner of the globe, all without you ever having to leave your own home. 

Studying a science

If you choose to take one of our psychology courses you’ll be immersed in the study of the human mind. With options to learn about memory and identity, you’ll get the chance to explore and debate some of the most famous psychological experiments.  

There’s also Sociology too, a subject that focuses on human behaviour, interaction, and relationships. If you’d like to explore some of the biggest questions in life, then our philosophy courses are for you. Small class sizes mean that you’ll get to discuss and debate in a supportive environment, all with an experienced tutor on hand.  

Attend a Humanities and Science course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home or opted for face-to-face learning at a local community venue, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their subject. Our learning experience sets us apart from other providers, with learners regularly highlighting the difference that an encouraging environment makes. 

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History: Highlights of Saxon Archaeology

Why was Britain's genetic make-up radically changed between 500 and 800 AD/CE? Were the newcomers environmental refugees, pagan plunderers, invaders or missionaries? Who were these new arrivals and what were they doing over here? This course will use recent information on sites, finds and their interpretation to shed new light on Anglo-Saxon Age archaeology in Britain. How and why the migrations took place will be illustrated using new (since 1980) excavation evidence, metal detecting finds, scientific analysis and aerial remote sensing data.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Salvation Army Church & Community Ce
13 Church Street
Louth
LN11 9BS
Tutor:
Simon Tomson
Course code:
Q00011695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: Beginners' History : Before 1066

In this term, we begin by considering the later reign of King Eadgar and his efforts to achieve a kind of unified England, but also how English practices and texts became unique. This will involve examining the peculiarities of the English Benedictine Reform Movement, the impact it made among the clergy and also social and cultural consequences, as well as for the English monarchy itself. After that, we will address the feuds, administrative and executive failures of the monarchy in the years after Eadgar’s death, and why these errors would finally cause the downfall of the House of Wessex.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00015931
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Care 2: Introduction to Chakras

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. Join me on this relaxed and informative course where we will look at the intriguing world of Chakras. Week by week we will explore the crown, third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral and root chakra. This course is designed to elevate your awareness and knowledge of how you can use holistic therapy to enhance your life and wellbeing. We will cover both the practical and theoretical application of how to work with these amazing energy centres. Chakra centres correspond to each nerve bundle and the major organs of the body. With a deeper understanding of how each one relates to our emotions, health and general wellbeing it is possible to live a more balanced and happier lifestyle. Each chakra has its own unique profile, including the right food to eat, mantra to use, emotional expression, vibration and colour. You will learn a range of ways of how we can help balance the chakras through a deeper understanding of this fascinating subject. You will not need to purchase anything for this course and no prior knowledge is needed. We will also cover aromatherapy oils, crystals, the sound mantras and the associated body part that links in with this subject.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 17/09/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00018556
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55

Astronomy: Astronomy in the Autumn

Longer, darker evenings of Autumn provide the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the night sky. We will concentrate on some of the objects (stars and planets) that can be seen over the autumn with the unaided eye. You will be given guidance on how to observe them. Astronomy is a very dynamic subject, and we will consider news stories of note. The course is for beginners/those with some experience and targetted observing challenges will be set. You will be encouraged to undertake independent research (via ‘mini-projects’) and, if you are willing, share with class members. Weekly knowledge quizzes will be set so that you can see your progress.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ann Bonell
Course code:
Q00017670
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: British History through the lives of 10 women

This 10-week course offers a unique exploration of British history by examining the lives and contributions of ten remarkable women who left indelible marks on society, culture, and politics. From ancient warriors to pioneering scientists and influential writers, each woman represents a distinct era in British history, shedding light on the struggles, achievements, and societal changes of their times. Throughout the course, we will delve into the lives of these extraordinary women, analysing their impact on British society and their enduring legacies. By studying their stories, learners will gain a deeper understanding of key historical events, social movements, and cultural shifts that have shaped the fabric of Britain.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00017272
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: History Walks

London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Many distinct places lie within its boundaries. There are many unusual corners, unexpected history, remarkable buildings, and fascinating characters which illustrate the city’s development both socially and culturally. These eight autumn walks will reveal contrasting parts of London and show how Londoners lived and worked, how they were entertained, how they travelled, how they constructed bridges. We shall meet novelists, con men, rock stars, minor royalty, politicians, a whole panoply of London life. In addition, these walks for two hours long will bring the benefit of healthy exercise!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Meeting at: Paddington Station Info Desk
Overground Station
Praed Street
London
W2 1HU
Tutor:
Guy Rowston
Course code:
Q00017442
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £80.00

History: The House of Lancaster

The emergence of the House of Lancaster could have led to a major decline of the English realm, yet it achieved its greatest success against the old enemy of France. A consideration of the later reign of Richard II will be made, and what particular factors ultimately led to his overthrow. We will then go on to provide a major analysis of the reign of Henry IV, dealing with the various problems and rebellions faced by the English and how he in turn was able to contain those problems. This course will analyse the course of those events.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00018320
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Care 2: Introduction to Relaxation for Wellbeing

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This short course will introduce you to a range of simple and accessible relaxation techniques that will help you to learn to slow down and relive tension. The session is practice based; you will be guided to participate in a series of relaxation practices that will support you to progressively relax. We will focus on calming breathing techniques, gentle mindful movements to relieve tension and guided Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation of both mind and body).

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 19/09/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018562
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: London in the 20th century: A social and cultural history

London has been many things in its history - a world city, a financial capital, a centre of empire, a microcosm of the world, a city rebuilt, a port city, a migrant city, a changing city The course will chart some of these changes during the twentieth century, changes to London’s built environment, its culture and its people, from the West End to the East End, from the City to the suburbs, from Camden Town and Brixton to Southall and Soho. Topics covered will be industry and the workplace, transport, housing, health, education, media, fashion and leisure

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 15/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
George O'Reilly
Course code:
Q00017265
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £96.00

Philosophy: Reasons, Explanations and Justifications

When people ask why someone does something (for example why they lie) or what the reason for something is (for example for flooding or increased support for a political movement,) what exactly are they asking ? This course introduces you to three philosophical answers to this question. The first is to distinguish types of reason – ‘explanatory’, ‘motivating’, and ‘normative’. The second consists in pointing out that there are different reasons for accepting a statement as valid – truth, rightness (e.g. moral), and truthfulness. The third is to specify criteria for what creates or maintains moral or political justification. The course is intended to help you think more clearly about the ‘why question’ and to bring useful insights to what can be contentious topics.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 25/11/2024
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bettina Lange
Course code:
Q00017669
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£59.20