What is the purpose of Art? At its most basic is it simply wallpaper to decorate our houses? Or is it trophies acquired by the ultra-rich to display in their already lavish mansions? Or worse, to be hidden in the depths of dark underground secure rooms where only they can...
What is the purpose of Art? At its most basic is it simply wallpaper to decorate our houses? Or is it trophies acquired by the ultra-rich to display in their already lavish mansions? Or worse, to be hidden in the depths of dark underground secure rooms where only they can sit entranced by the enormity of their private possessions?This course...
This friendly and creative group is ideal for all writers, whether they are complete beginners or more experienced.. Together we will explore a wide variety of genres and formats, and there will be plenty of writing prompts and exercises to inspire you and keep you going, and help you nurture...
This friendly and creative group is ideal for all writers, whether they are complete beginners or more experienced.. Together we will explore a wide variety of genres and formats, and there will be plenty of writing prompts and exercises to inspire you and keep you going, and help you nurture your own unique ‘voice’ as a writer. We will discuss the...
Poets have engaged with notions of the spiritual since at least the Greeks and their epics describing the conduct of the gods. Our starting point will be British medieval lyrics dwelling on mystical/aesthetic love poems: the love of God for Man, Man for God, Mother for Child etc. and how...
Poets have engaged with notions of the spiritual since at least the Greeks and their epics describing the conduct of the gods. Our starting point will be British medieval lyrics dwelling on mystical/aesthetic love poems: the love of God for Man, Man for God, Mother for Child etc. and how such preoccupations are picked up by later poets such as...
Are we ill-served by our current politicians? This course of four lectures seeks to examine aspects of politics that may explain why we feel that our parliamentary representatives are regarded as untrustworthy and serially incompetent. Are they “just in it for themselves”? To what extent is it personality over substance?Historically,...
Are we ill-served by our current politicians? This course of four lectures seeks to examine aspects of politics that may explain why we feel that our parliamentary representatives are regarded as untrustworthy and serially incompetent. Are they “just in it for themselves”? To what extent is it personality over substance?Historically, Kings and dictators have been happy to utilise art to...
In this brisk, fortnightly course, we shall examine the contours of electoral politics and party competition in the UK. We shall begin by charting the emergence and evolution of our representative democracy, from the ‘beer and circuses’ of the 18th century through to the advent of universal adult suffrage. We...
In this brisk, fortnightly course, we shall examine the contours of electoral politics and party competition in the UK. We shall begin by charting the emergence and evolution of our representative democracy, from the ‘beer and circuses’ of the 18th century through to the advent of universal adult suffrage. We shall then examine the widening opportunities for voting since 1997,...
Where did the civilisation of Ancient Greece with its art, philosophy and political systems come from? This course will investigate the early days of the Greeks, beginning with the Minoans and Myceneans of the second millennium. Then the slow emergence of Greek culture after the so called "Dark Ages", and...
Where did the civilisation of Ancient Greece with its art, philosophy and political systems come from? This course will investigate the early days of the Greeks, beginning with the Minoans and Myceneans of the second millennium. Then the slow emergence of Greek culture after the so called "Dark Ages", and the appearance of city states such as Athens and Sparta...
With the Persian threat contained the Greeks of the second half of the 5th century BC should have been secure. Athens under Pericles began an ambitious building programme which saw the construction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. It was the age of the great Greek dramatists. But the simmering...
With the Persian threat contained the Greeks of the second half of the 5th century BC should have been secure. Athens under Pericles began an ambitious building programme which saw the construction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. It was the age of the great Greek dramatists. But the simmering rivalry of Sparta and Athens, with their very different political...
The Greeks were at their height during the sixth and fifth centuries BC and really begin to emerge from the mists of story into real history. These centuries saw the emergence of Greek philosophy and science with the Pre-Socratics and the development of a realistic art style seen in both...
The Greeks were at their height during the sixth and fifth centuries BC and really begin to emerge from the mists of story into real history. These centuries saw the emergence of Greek philosophy and science with the Pre-Socratics and the development of a realistic art style seen in both sculpture and pottery. Sparta opted for a monarchy and Athens ...
