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: Life in Regency England

Regency society rakish, raffish but with a fondness for wonderful architecture, or was there more to it than that?

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/09/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Emsworth Community Centre (Emsworth)
Church Path
Emsworth
PO10 7DP
Tutor:
Jennifer Goldsmith
Course code:
Q00016940
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £74.00

History: History of Ideas: The Big Questions

One of the most fascinating aspects of the history of ideas is learning how ideas have a life of their own, influencing society and culture through successive generations in different ways. In this 10-week course we’ll focus on an different important and influential question each week. We cover philosophy, literature, science and history. We’ll read and discuss selected extracts which will be circulated beforehand. The course covers a sweep of over 2000 years, from the ancient Greeks to modern times.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/09/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Drive Methodist Church (Redbridge)
Eastern Avenue
Redbridge
IG4 5AB
Tutor:
Brandon Robshaw
Course code:
Q00017269
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

History: History: Russia from Stalin to the Collapse of the Soviet Union

It is sometimes said that Lenin drove the Russian revolution into a cul-de-sac and Stalin then accelerated into the wall at the far end. The course will examine the economic, political and social changes undertaken by Stalin and enforced by the Great Terror. We will then consider how far this modernisation of the economy enabled the USSR to withstand the Nazi onslaught from 1941 and why the Soviet Union seemed unreformable under Stalin’s successors. We will conclude by looking at Gorbachev’s almost total failure to achieve the objectives he identified and why, despite that, he was one of the most laudable leaders of a troubled century in European affairs

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/09/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Caterham Baptist Church (Caterham)
4 Beechwood Road
Caterham
CR3 6NA
Tutor:
Julian Roberts
Course code:
Q00018091
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Philosophy: Beginners Philosophy

“Everyone has their own truth and their own values.”; “What counts as knowledge changes over time – for example, we no longer believe that the sun goes round the earth.” “Different societies have different moralities.” “People will never agree on how best to organise society.” Statements like these can be heard and read in public debates and on social media. The course uses philosophical ideas to explore 1. that how we think, which moral values we think we should follow and what we think is the best society to live in varies between individuals, cultures and historical periods 2. that it is not possible to reach agreement and 3. that if we all agreed our societies would be less vibrant and less worth living in. This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge of Philosophy is expected.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 27/11/2024
Times:
4:45pm - 6:45pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bettina Lange
Course code:
Q00016351
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£75.60

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: Ancient Egypt: Decorated Tombs of Thebes

In this course suitable for newcomers to the subject as well as those with previous experience, we will be studying ancient Egyptian art through the decorated tombs of ancient Thebes (modern-day Luxor). Through a series of visually rich sessions a wide range of tomb scenes will be studied with a focus on both understanding what these scenes represent while also considering aspects of style and purpose. We will see how scenes can be replicated or adapted across tombs as well as less typical tomb scenes potentially representing the agency of the tomb owner.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 23/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00017284
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

History: How we used to Live – Country Houses

This course will give you an outline of the development of country houses from medieval times through to the 20th century. We will look at how these houses were designed and what they were used for, as well as the lifestyles of those living in them, both owners and servants. We will see how the role of the architect developed and how this growing profession influenced, and reacted to, the expectations and demands of their clients. In the 20th century, we will look at the challenges and threats faced by country houses and ask whether country houses can survive in the future.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 16/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
St Olave's Church Hall (York)
Marygate Lane
York
YO30 7BJ
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00018367
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

History: Anti Semitism

We will study the mutating virus of anti-semitism, through an exploration of the ancient template shaped by Christianity and examine key explosions of anti-Jewish violence and prejudice which Hitler was able to exploit, tragically culminating in the Final Solution. Through discussion and debate we will also spend time as a group examining contemporary Holocaust denial, distortion and conspiracy theories. Finally we will look at the current antisemitism accusations within the Labour party and its impact across the political landscape.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 26/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Nottingham Mechanics (Nottingham)
3 North Sherwood Street
Nottingham
NG1 4EZ
Tutor:
David Halliwell
Course code:
Q00016183
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: The History of Religion. Part 3: From early Christianity to the Renaissance

This course gives an overview of the social context, politico—historical forces and individual personalities involved in the development of religion during the late classic, medieval and early modern period. This course is ideal for anyone interested in understanding the emergence of Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and ‘Humanism’ within their wider social contexts. While we will be continuing from where my previous courses left off, previous knowledge is not required.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Peterhouse Community Centre
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow
London
E17 3PW
Tutor:
Jacob Cohen
Course code:
Q00017278
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £90.00

History: The Rise and Fall of Wessex

Wessex no longer exists yet its name still conjures images of Alfred the Great and the creation of England. The choice by Thomas Hardy of using Wessex as the fictional literary landscape of his novels further embeds this feeling of nostalgic association that people have. This course explores its creation and demise and why it still lives in our memory partly as a result of its historical significance but also because the sentimental effect of its name is consistently being used by advertisers and organisations to create a positive connection with customers and the public.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
The Cornerstone (Wokingham)
Norreys Avenue
Wokingham
RG40 1UE
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017279
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

History: Silence in court - Five famous trials from British History

Every famous trial is a snapshot of history in the making. We see the cast of characters strutting on the stage that is the court room, acting out their roles against the backdrop of forces that are often beyond their control - the letter of the law, the power of the state, the force of prejudice, the facts of the case. Their focus is the outcome of 'their' trial, but ours is more than that; why is this trial famous, how did it change things, what lessons does it teach us? Join Peter Blood to study the people, issues and outcomes in five famous trials from British history, with a view to understanding their political, social and legal significance.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
St Paul's Church Hall (Chichester)
Churchside
Chichester
PO19 6FT
Tutor:
Peter Blood
Course code:
Q00009430
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00