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: Art and About: The Great Fire: It started at a pudding and ended at a pye.

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! A walk from Pudding Lane through the City of London to Pye Corner. This walk will chart the damage of the 1666 Great Fire of London and place it in the cultural context of the time. We will meet some key characters through whose eyes the story of the fire has been told and also those who came in to rebuild and reshape the city in its aftermath. Each participant will receive a handout to refer to along the route which includes images and quotes to illustrate the extent of this catastrophe. We will meet at The Monument (tube is monument tube or bank tube). It is the Monument to the Great Fire of London Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. I will have a red folder with me!
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 03/07/2024 -
Wed 03/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Monument to the Great Fire of London
(Meeting Point)
Fish St Hill
London
EC3R 8AH
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014836
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £10.00

History: Art and About: The Pubs of Early Modern London

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! This walk begins in Holborn and moves through the City of London finishing in London Bridge at the last galleried pub of the metropolis, The George Inn. It considers the imprint drinking establishments have left on London and explores the buildings themselves and some of the characters who frequented these establishments. Each participant in the walk will receive a handout with information about each stop they can refer back to in their leisure. We finish with a debrief in the pub! We will meet in front of The Ship Tavern behind Holborn Station at midday. I will have a red folder with me!
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Course Information

Dates:
Thu 04/07/2024 -
Thu 04/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: The Ship Tavern
The Ship Tavern
12 Gate St
London
WC2A 3HP
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014838
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

History: Summer talk: The New River

In his illustrated talk, Camden Tour Guide, Chris Foster with take you on a virtual guided walk along the length of The New River - a 30 mile canal from Hertford to London, created over 400 years ago to supply The City with fresh drinking water.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/07/2024 -
Mon 08/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
URC Lounge, Brookmans Park
Oaklands Avenue
Brookmans Park
AL9 7UW
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £6.00

Care 2: Visit The Royal Pavilion at Brighton

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for, join us to look at the Royal Pavilion at Brighton and explore its fascinating history. This course is a great way to learn something new form the comfort of your own home. Feel free to contribute to the class and get involved in the interesting discussions.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/07/2024 -
Tue 09/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00011053
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Philosophy: Philosophy behind The Headlines (Free London Taster)

This taster session in Philosophy, will briefly introduce the principal ideas of a selection of philosophers and apply these to the discussion of the news headlines and the controversies that lie behind them. The course will foster an understanding of ethical and philosophical dimensions to contemporary issues. This class will encourage discussion and sharing of ideas about current affairs and will involve reflecting on how to use philosophy to engage with current affairs a part of this discussion. You will be encouraged to use critical thinking and analytical skills as the role of Philosophy is looked at when analysing the news.
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Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/07/2024 -
Thu 11/07/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Daniel Williams
Course code:
Q00017175
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

History: Lawrence of Arabia

Thomas Edward Lawrence CB DSO (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935), better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British archaeologist, army officer and diplomat, who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt in Sinai and Palestine between 1916 and 1918 against the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire during the First World War. His strategy and tactics, and the breadth and diversity of his activities and associations, along with his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for David Lean’s film of 1962, and the source of numerous biographies.
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Course Information

Dates:
Sat 13/07/2024 -
Sat 13/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Pagham Village Hall (Bognor Regis)
Pagham Road
Bognor Regis
PO21 4NJ
Tutor:
Alan Simmonds
Course code:
Q00014875
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Care 2: Visit Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Come along and explore beautiful Chatsworth House, all from the comfort of your home! You will find out about this historic building and explore its rich history. This is a course for carers, former carers and the cared for, and is great chance to learn something new and be a part of an interesting discussion.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/07/2024 -
Mon 15/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014603
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available

Windowsill Gardening (Multiply West Sussex)

*Please note - this course is exclusively for residents of West Sussex. If you do not live in a West Sussex postcode area, please do not apply for this course - thanks for your understanding* On this course we are going to sow some seeds to grow a selection of edible plants: herbs and vegetables on a windowsill. The session is delivered in real time, so you can sow seeds along with me asking questions as we go. A list of suggested resources will be on Canvas before the course begins so you can go shopping. We will explore the limitations of windowsill growing, and the advantages, particularly in relation to cost. We shall see which windowsill crops are economically worth growing, and which aren't! I will cover onward care and harvesting, and any questions will be welcome, as will sharing your own experiences - good and bad!
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/07/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00015976
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: Mythology of the Summer Sky

Ever looked up at the night sky, or the signs of the zodiac, and wondered how the constellations got their names? Why anyone would think those random dots were “obviously” a picture of some strange creature? Or what the stories are behind them? This one-session course picks out some of them that are appropriate to the time of year, and shows why they were important, what their myths are, and how the stories fit together. This is the time when the Perseid meteor shower is at its best, so we’ll look at the story behind Perseus, and his family: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, and a few less well-known. Then we go on to the Summer Triangle of the Swan, the Eagle, and the Lyre. There’s also Capricorn, the half-fish, half-goat, and many more. (57)
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/07/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00014312
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55

History: An Introduction to Social and Behavioural Psychology.

Theories of social psychology are used to explain how humans, largely considered to be social beings, are affected by social interactions, social deprivation, or changes to their usual societal roles and norms. What happens when our beliefs and values are challenged? What is the impact on our behaviour when we are given power over others, or we are rendered seemingly powerless in a specific situation? Social psychology originated in the late nineteenth century (Goethals, 2007), with ground-breaking experimentation taking place throughout the twentieth century, aimed at informing our understanding of human behaviour. We will explore the work of ten psychologists and their most notable social experiments. This course assumes no prior knowledge.
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Course Information

Dates:
Sat 20/07/2024 -
Sat 20/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Norwich Millennium Library (Norwich)
Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW
Tutor:
Kerry Heathcote
Course code:
Q00015252
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00