WEA courses

‘Feel good’ movies are more than a cliché. We’re learning more and more about all the ways in which art and creativity are good for our health – from art and music therapy to reading on prescription. Watching films can be good for your well-being, too. In this brand-new 4-week course, we’ll explore together what films are good for our health and how. We’ll look at a different range of films from different genres that could all in their way help us maintain and manage our well-being.

Learning about Landscape Art is a fascinating and rewarding topic; it tracks an evolving story looking at different ages, from 19th Century innovators such as JMW Turner, through to Impressionism, Expressionism and Modernism in general, right up to the 21st Century. This course will also introduce you to some lesser- known female artists who have been formerly neglected by the art establishment. Inspired by these examples, shown at the beginning of each lesson in an interactive visual presentation, we will develop skills in a range of drawing and painting media, including drawing inks, chalk and oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage and mixed media. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style. Please note that this is a 5-session course running from Monday 01/07/2024 - Monday 29/07/2024.

Part of the London Free Taster Courses; Do join us for this introduction to a selection of films from around the world. This course offers an overview of global cinema traditions, looking at sections of films from different cultures and regions. We will consider a range of films, from classics to contemporary cinema . There will discussion on the style and meaning of diverse extracts drawing on key ideas from Film Studies and you will learn about some of the Key directors from major film movements. Topics include how historical context effects the development of cinema in different countries and how film reflects societal norms and cultural identities.

Having a social media presence has become an essential element of attracting group members, funding and as a tool to promote information and awareness of issues important to communities. In a previous course, Washington Support Group for Men filmed footage relating to their organisation and it’s aims. This short course is designed to introduce learners who are involved in this established community group to the process of editing and producing a video. The video can then be shared to an audience in person or online through platforms such as Facebook or YouTube. This may be for promotional purposes, or to provide evidence of activities to potential funders or the wider public.

A friendly and accessible exploration boasting a second offering of five more recent cinematic works produced by BBC Film, promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation and confidence regarding film and cinema, also literacy skills, critical thinking and well-being in general. We examine, discuss and compile a critical journal reviewing a selection works from BBC Film promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation of film but also critical thinking, literacy skills and well-being, considering running themes and techniques whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology, advancing literacy, communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.

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.

This ""Filmability"" course engages students and long-term unemployed individuals in creating a short documentary film about Ipswich Town Football Club's community impact. This innovative project promotes collaboration, planning, literacy, and digital skills through hands-on filmmaking. Participants develop practical skills like resilience, teamwork, research, writing, and technical proficiency over ten days. The course covers identifying topics, scriptwriting, camera operations, filming, and editing. By the end, participants produce a documentary, enhancing their confidence and workplace readiness while celebrating ITFC's return to the Premier League and their own journey towards employment.

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.

Part of the Free to All Summer Taster Courses: Do you like films and are keen to learn more and discuss them with like-minded enthusiasts? Have you wondered “How did they do that?” Or even more so “Why did that film make me feel like this? “Are you thinking about enrolling on one of the WEA’s film studies courses? Then this free taster session is for you. You’ll get equipped with some of the basics of “how to read a film” – the key elements of filmmaking and how they create (different) meanings, emotions and impacts on the viewer, enabling you analyse films with greater confidence.

Learning about Abstract Landscape Art is a fascinating and rewarding topic; it tracks an evolving story looking at different ages, from 19th Century innovators such as JMW Turner, through to Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Modernism in general, right up to the 21st Century. This course will also introduce you to some lesser- known female artists who have been formerly neglected by the art establishment. Inspired by these examples, shown at the beginning of each lesson in an interactive visual presentation, we will develop skills in a range of drawing and painting media, including drawing inks, chalk and oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage and mixed media. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style. Please note that this is a 3-session course running on: Wed 17/07/2024, Wed 24/07/2024, and Wed 31/07/2024.