Upcoming Courses

The Roots of Radical Song in Britain

with WEA Guest Tutor-Ted Woodgate

     The development of folk song in C19 as a commentary on social, economic and political changes

At The Reading Rooms, Billericay High Street,

CM12 9AS

Wednesday afternoon, 3rd December, 2.00-4.00 (including tea break) fee £16  Ref: Q0002512

Please enrol. www.wea.org.uk or 0300 303 3464              

local contact  Billericay.branch@wea.ac.uk

FREE LECTURE

A PRE-RAPHAELITE CHRISTMAS

Step into a world of glowing colour and jewelled imagination.

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, celebrated for their jewelled scenes from medieval literature, rose bowers, heroic knights and flame-haired heroines, also brought their intense colour and emotion to biblical subjects. Nowhere is this more striking than in their depictions of the Nativity. With acclaimed tutor Alison Barker, we will journey through the art, history and literature that shaped a uniquely Pre-Raphaelite vision of Christmas.

Following the lecture, you are invited to join us for a festive nibble.

There is no charge for the lecture but donations towards the cost of refreshments will be gratefully received!

Please book your place – rhiannedd.pratley@wea.ac.uk

GUEST  TUTOR :  Abbie Saunders

TITLE : C20th Italian Literature Part 1

Course Ref: Q00025236

 START DATE : 13^th January          Fee for 5 wk course – £ 80

This term we study four Italian works of fiction published in the 1950s. Through close reading and class discussion, we will examine the historical and sociopolitical context of the stories, and compare how their respective literary styles convey the attitudes and experiences of the period.

Booklist : Alberto Moravia’s Contempt and Giorgio Bassani’s Within the Walls

GUEST TUTOR : Janet Reid

TITLE : John Singer Sargent : Masterpieces of Portrait and Landscape

 START DATE : 14^th January            Fee for 5 wk course – £ 80

One of the greatest American painters of his era, John Singer Sargent was celebrated in the UK, where he spent most of his career. This course explores his life and work, from his renowned portraits to his mysterious, sensual landscapes and genre scenes. Course Ref: tba

TUTOR : Steve Clarke

TITLE : Britain in the 1930s – A Nation Between Crises

Course Ref: Q00025243

START DATE : 15^th January          Fee for 5 wk course – £ 80

Still scarred by the Great War and gripped by economic depression, Britain faced rising unemployment, deep political divisions, and the growing shadow of fascism in Europe. This course examines how, amid hardship and uncertainty, Britain functioned on the eve of a new global conflict.

GUEST  TUTOR :  Abbie Saunders

TITLE : C20th Italian Literature Part2

Course Ref: Q00025239

 START DATE : 24th  February          Fee for 5 wk course – £ 80

This term we study four Italian works of fiction published in the 1950s. Through close reading and class discussion, we will examine the historical and sociopolitical context of the stories, and compare how their respective literary styles convey the attitudes and experiences of the period.

Booklist : Natalia Ginzburg’s Sagittarius and Dino Buzzati’s The Singularity.

TUTOR : Roger Cooke

TITLE : The English Civil Wars : Conflict, Conviction and Change

START DATE : 26^th February          Fee for 5 wk course – £ 80
This course examines the English Civil Wars as a turning point in the nation’s history. We’ll explore the political, religious and social tensions that led to war, and trace how these conflicts challenged long-held ideas about power, faith and authority.

Course Ref: Q00025245