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: The English Renaissance

This course will introduce a fascinating period of English history, during which poetry, prose and the arts produced some of the touchstones of British culture. We will explore a range of poetry including Thomas Wyatt’s, love poetry, Ralegh’s verse, Edmund Spenser’s homage to Elizabeth I, John Donne’s astonishing poems of love and divinity, and Milton’s early poems; playwrights, Shakespeare and Marlowe, and prose writers such as Tyndale and his translations from the Bible, Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer and extracts from the King James’ Bible. Additional context for the period will be provided from paintings, contemporary documents and letters. All texts will be provided on Canvas.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 26/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017453
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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

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

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

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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

History: Antisemitism from the birth of Christianity to the Final Solution

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

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 25/11/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Halliwell
Course code:
Q00016180
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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: The 12th Century Civil War for the Crown of England

This course looks at the troubled years after 1140, when England was ravaged by civil war and had two rival monarchs: the Empress Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I and her cousin, King Stephen. The Empress spent 17 years trying to secure her birthright. These years were called ‘The Anarchy’ by historians because of the destruction wreaked by both sides on villages and towns across southern England and the breakdown of law and order. The course explores the reasons why William Adelin’s sister, the Empress Matilda never achieved the Crown.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 08/10/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michael Long
Course code:
Q00017706
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Carbon Literacy - October 2024

To attend this partnership course, you will have to register via EVENTBRITE Carbon Literacy – October 2024 ticket at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carbon-literacy-october-2024-tickets-880713998277?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 as well as via WEA. You will have to make a payment via EVENTBRITE and cannot proceed with the course if you have not done both. 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:
Wed 09/10/2024 -
Wed 16/10/2024
Times:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00015293
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

History: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot

On this two session course, we will look into the background to the Gunpowder Plot and what the plotters hoped to achieve. Some disaffected Catholics felt it necessary to attempt to assassinate King James I because of the continuing religious conflict in England. In the two sessions of this course we will focus on Guy Fawkes and how he came to have the responsibility for carrying out the operation to blow up the parliament chamber, as well as the involvement of some of the other people behind the plot, including Robert Catesby, generally regarded as the main instigator. We will also consider some of the consequences of the plot's failure and the deaths of most of the conspirators, and why some aspects of the story remain unexplained.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 30/10/2024 -
Wed 06/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00018313
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80