WEA courses

By the second half of the nineteenth century, as a result of an industrial revolution and the growth of trade and Empire, Britain had become 'the workshop of the world’, importing raw materials and exporting manufactured goods across the globe. Alongside these developments were great movements of people – emigration to other countries in search of a better life, internal migration from Scotland and Ireland to England, migration from countryside to towns in search of work, and immigration into Britain from European countries such as Russia, Germany and Italy. Our course will examine the connections between Britain’s trade, its empire and the migration of people in the nineteenth century.

How art has been employed by belligerent countries in the First and Second World Wars, but also to represent war, often patriotically, over many centuries. We’ll look at a range of different examples from western countries to show the different approaches to art depicting war and its effects and how sometimes this has been directed by governments, not always simply for propaganda purposes.

Did you know that learning Latin can enrich your knowledge in all sorts of other areas? Far from being “dead”, Latin is all around us. This intermediate Latin course can give you essential background knowledge to understand terminology in law, medicine, family history, and many other subjects. Latin has hundreds of applications in contemporary contexts. This course is ideal for you if you’re interested in learning Latin, or gaining general knowledge to help you learn modern languages or other disciplines.

Are too many too quick to dismiss the fantasy genre as pure entertainment and/or escapist spectacle? Are there varying degrees of fantasy on screen, rendering the term fantasy film as something rather too broad? We examine a selection of five films, all using elements of fantasy to tell their stories. In Orlando, adapted from literature, elements of fantasy are used to highlight inequalities within society. Young Einstein, a film derided by critics in the U.S, makes use of alterative history and elements of surrealism to both entertain and arguably present some deeper comments regarding humanity and innovation, does its fantastical approach help or hinder? Labyrinth offers a unique screen vision by immersing the viewer in a vivid fantasy world earning itself cult status to this day but is it for children, adults or both? Spirited Away makes use of animation to comment on the modern world, here, the fantasy element is fundamental to its approach. More recent films such as Barbie prove fantasy can be big at the box office, using a variety of different approaches to both entertain and relevant social comment. Are all these fantasy films as much if not far more than meet the eye? Are there any reoccurring themes approaches? And is fantasy an ideal medium for the screen? Orlando (1992), Young Einstein (1988), Labyrinth (1986), Barbie (2023), Spirited Away (2001).

The purpose of this course is to aid you in finding the confidence and inspiration to get writing, using photographs as stimulus to creating original writing and developing creative skills. Using your own photography, we will create a unique piece of writing which can be fact or fiction. You will learn some handy tips and tricks to really bring out the writer in you!

Designed for beginners, this fun course will show you how to take old /outdated pieces of costume jewellery and give them new life. Our friendly tutor will introduce you to the tools, materials and techniques which you can use to create lovely new pieces of jewellery to wear yourself, gift or maybe even sell on. We will provide basic materials but you are also encouraged to bring along any jewellery (not expensive) which you would like to transform.

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social and political developments of their times No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art! Topics to be covered will include the works of William Hogarth, Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, Georg Grosz and Otto Dix; the works of the American Ashcan School (c1890-1914) and Soviet Socialist Realism (1930-); and the social, cultural and political context in which these works were produced.

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.

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.

Macramé is a creative knotting technique that can be used to make a variety of items like plant hangers, wall hangings, friendship bracelets, belts, and bags. including jewellery and other decorative items. It’s a great way to relax and create beautiful art pieces for your home. This is designed to support learners with their health and wellbeing. Learn a new skill which may be a route into employment/self-employment. Save money by making own cakes and potentially selling/small business. During this session Your tutor will give you demonstration and individual attention for your guidance. In this workshop you will be working with a macramé cord and each learner will be able to complete a key chain. It can be used by you or can be gifted to the loved ones.