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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Philosophy: Understanding Evil and Wickedness

People have always struggled to understand (and prevent) evil actions. Moral and political philosophers have also not found it easy but have developed some definitions and theories. Psychology can provide useful insights into the history and motivation of evil actions too. This course brings these together in the hope that they will increase learners’ understanding of the nature of evil and provide ideas for how to prevent it. The content will include the question of whether ‘evil’ is a philosophically useful category, Hanna Arendt’s analysis of evil, Mary Midgley’s analysis of wickedness, and the 2024 Reith lectures on violence.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 02/07/2025
Times:
4:45pm - 6:45pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bettina Lange
Course code:
Q00021440
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£66.60

History, Napoleon: Citizen to Emperor

Explore the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte with our History: Napoleon: Citizen to Emperor course. Learn about his rise to power, his impact on Europe, and the controversies surrounding his reign. Ideal for history enthusiasts and students of European history.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 11/06/2025
Times:
11:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Barking Enterprise Centre CIC (Barking)
50 Cambridge Road
Barking
IG11 8FG
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00017373
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £70.00

History: The Holocaust

The rise of antisemitism in Europe during the last years of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth centuries culminated in the mass destruction of six million men, women, and children merely for being Jewish. Some were shot in the communities where they lived. Others were sent to camps where they were either worked to death or sent directly to gas chambers.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 11/06/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Aubrey Newman
Course code:
Q00020801
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

History: The Ukraine - Borderland & battlefield 1800 to the present

We will trace the troubled history of Ukraine from 1800 exploring its political, social, economic and cultural development over five sessions ending with the current war and discussion of possible futures
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 28/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00021295
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: Time in a Frame

All happening here as we examine a series of images and their meaning within their historical context ! Experience the peasant life on a medieval manor, share a block with tragic Lady Jane, smell the stench of rotting Streltsy and gaze down (apparently with the world and his wife) at James Wolfe at Quebec ! Glance into the heart of darkness in Spain and follow the bloodstained tricolour in 1830 ! Enjoy an escape into the fresh air of Wallington, the dream-like scenery of rural medieval France and the idyllic landscape of Surrey. Can we do it ? Yes we can !
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Donnison School (Sunderland)
The Donnison School Buildings
Church Walk
Sunderland
SR1 2BJ
Tutor:
Stuart Miller
Course code:
Q00021644
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 05/06/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Blue Beetle Room (London)
Hendon Lane
Finchley
London
N3 1TR
Tutor:
Daniel Williams
Course code:
Q00017388
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£60.00

History: The History of the English Language

If you’re interested in finding out how the English language developed (and why we don’t all speak German, Danish or French instead of English) this course is for you. We look at the development of the English language through seven different lenses, starting with Old English (Anglo-Saxon) which built on Celtic languages and Latin. We explore the many influences on English including the Vikings through Old Norse, Norman French, Biblical English, Shakespearean English and Global English.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Eliahoo Charles
Course code:
Q00018033
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

History: Coughs & Sneezes

In this course we will examine the stories of a series of pandemics and epidemics which influenced national or world history in some way. In the process we will review the contexts in which these occurred and also consider issues about the interpretation of evidence and the clash of historical arguments. The main method used will be segmented powerpoint presentations but as always the sessions are intended to be interactive. By agreement there may be some change in the schedule and topics.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stuart Miller
Course code:
Q00021645
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

History: Byzantium – the Great Age

How did the Roman Empire survive the challenges it faced during the later 9th century? We will examine how the Amorian Dynasty was able to not only maintain its position in power but also to attempt to restore territories that had been previously compromised or lost across the Roman world; these policies would be met with varying degrees of success. We will also examine the new building programme within Constantinople, and in particular at the Boukoleion Palace. In the meantime, the second period of iconoclasm would continue to cause further dissatisfaction until its final resolution with the actions of Empress Theodora.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
11:15am - 1:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00021781
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

History: The House of Lancaster

The struggles of John of Bedford and his aim to successfully conclude the war with France forms the main part of study this term, examining in some detail the various campaigns which he either personally orchestrated or otherwise approved, in attempts to either break the remaining pockets of French resistance, or else drive the French monarchy into a state of submission. At the same time however, we will also look at the youth and condition of the young Henry VI, and make some assessment of his early character, as well as the nature of the English government that surrounded him,
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00021783
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40