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: What really led to The Second World War?

Churchill said: ‘It could have been prevented without a single shot being fired, but no one would listen.’ His counterpart, Neville Chamberlain, wrote: I know I can save the country and I do not believe anyone else can.’  Some in France, meanwhile, initially failed to take Hitler seriously. Unlike Poland, both France and Chamberlain have been blamed for failing to stand up to Hitler. But is this fair, given the memories of the First Word War? Beginning with the Polish port of Gdańsk (Danzig) and the ‘Polish Corridor,’ this course explores how Britain, France, Germany and Italy became involved in one of the world’s most formative events whose legacy continues to be felt today.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 04/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Nottingham Mechanics (Nottingham)
3 North Sherwood Street
Nottingham
NG1 4EZ
Tutor:
Mark Barnard
Course code:
Q00020098
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

History: Anglo-Saxon Culture 500-1100CE

A short (5 sessions) introduction to the range and complexity of Anglo-Saxon culture based upon selected survivals in the archaeological record ranging from exquisite, illuminated manuscripts to stunning portable timepieces. Each week we will concentrate on one theme/aspect of the Anglo-Saxon world and consider up to 5 objects from the time and use them to consider the Anglo-Saxons, their society and their legacy to us. There will also be extensive discussion of how difficult questions persist about the interpretation of the period and its survival in the archaeological record. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions throughout.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00020130
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £60.00

Literature: Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing

Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing Do you love the enchanted world of stories? Remember how hearing stories read aloud made you warm and happy? Yes? Then this is the course for you. A friendly, gentle reading and self-discovery circle. The power of shared reading is good for the soul. Come discover modern fiction and true stories on heart-warming themes like friendship, community, hope, love and food. Each week we’ll read and reflect on the story, on our own lives. We’ll share and tell our own tales, from books we read as children, from stories of our own lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 18/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Good Story
45 St Leonards Road
Bexhill
TN40 1JA
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00020132
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

History: Silence in Court - 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:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Billingshurst Community and Conference C
Roman Way
Billingshurst
RH14 9QW
Tutor:
Peter Blood
Course code:
Q00017736
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: A History of Architecture – How to See and Interpret Buildings

In this – mostly European – survey, we will study some iconic buildings that came to define their respective periods in terms of ideas, styles, and techniques. A broad chronological progression will take us from the Gizeh Pyramid and Parthenon to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Through this course, you will develop your ability to see and understand a building’s architectural features. For each example, you will study the way it is built, its style, and the relation between the building's form and it's purpose,or function

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017978
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £74.00

History: The Ottoman Empire - Fall 1876-1922

The last 50 years of the Ottoman Empire continues to drive current events and politics in Europe and the Middle East. In this course we consider the events, characters and forces that lead to its breakup including the modernisation attempts of the ‘Young Turk’ movement, the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, The Great War (including the Arab Revolt, the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish War of Independence. We finish by considering the rise of the new secular state of Turkey and the legacy of the Ottomans and why a century after its end the Ottoman Empire is still relevant throughout southeastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00017956
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: How we used to Live (3) – Urban Housing

This course will give you an outline of the history of urban and suburban housing in Britain over the last 200 years. As Britain’s industrial cities expanded, thousands of people wanted somewhere suitable to live. For the expanding middle classes of clerks, bankers and other professionals, this meant a respectable home to buy or rent. We will explore how how the expansion of the railways led to the development of suburbs as workers could travel further to their workplace. We will see how the aspiration of owning one’s own home became achievable with the development of building societies and how Britain became a home-owning society.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
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:
Q00018369
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Carbon Literacy

Carbon literacy is a term used to describe an awareness of climate change, and the climate impacts of humankind’s everyday actions. This course is designed specifically for charities and social enterprises working in public leisure and culture and gives you the knowledge and tools available to take impactful climate action.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 23/01/2025
Times:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00015297
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Philosophy: Philosophy behind the Headlines

The course 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. This course will encourage discussion and sharing of ideas about current affairs and will involve reflecting on how to make philosophy a part of this discussion. Reading material will be provided on Canvas and the tutor will introduce the key ideas of relevant articles. However, reading before class is not essential. The main activity is to share ideas on news stories.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Blue Beetle Room (London)
Hendon Lane
Finchley
London
N3 1TR
Tutor:
Daniel Williams
Course code:
Q00017510
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£100.00

Care 2 : Guided Relaxation to support Mental 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 support you to improve your mental well-being through guided relaxation practice. You will develop your ability to calm the mind by learning to physically relax your body using body scanning and mindful movement. You will learn to calm the mind through breathing practices and mindfulness practice. You will learn to encourage deep rest of mind and body through guided Yoga Nidra practice and soothing visualisation.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 30/01/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018567
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free