Short courses

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Introducing Celtic inscriptions

This course introduces the study of a range of inscriptions made by Celtic peoples from ancient and early medieval Europe, Britain, and Ireland (c. 600 BCE – c. 900 CE). Students will learn about the various writing systems used by Celtic peoples, the roles and functions of inscriptions, and the challenges of interpreting the material evidence. Students will gain first-hand experience of transliterating select inscriptions as in-class exercises, for which we will use 3D models. Special focus will be placed on using inscriptions as a resource to study multi-culturalism, gender, and identity in ancient and early medieval Celtic societies.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 27 June 2024- 18.00-20.00

Class number: 1527

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Classical Roman civilisation 1A

This course introduces Classical Roman history, literature, and culture, with a focus on the age of Augustus, the period during which Rome transitioned from a Republic to a Principate and rule under one man.  The course will provide a solid foundation for the study of the subject at a higher level by introducing students to the skills and methods involved in investigating the Classical Roman world through topics including religion, women, and art.  It will also provide the opportunity for useful background study for those whose principle area of study will lie elsewhere.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 04 April 2024- 18.00-20.00

Class number: 13040

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Introduction art psychotherapy

Art psychotherapy is a psychological therapy that uses art materials for self-expression and reflection in the presence of a trained art psychotherapist. The course will outline the key theoretical orientations within art psychotherapy and will present case examples of art psychotherapy work in practice with a variety of client groups and settings. Learning will be facilitated through lectures, case presentations, group discussions and written submissions. This course is an ideal introduction to art psychotherapy, especially for anyone working with vulnerable people, including teachers/classroom assistants, social workers, support workers and community-based workers. It is also ideal for those with a general curiosity about art psychotherapy or with an interest in applying for an MSc in Art Psychotherapy. It is important to note that this course does not qualify students to practice art psychotherapy.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 03 April 2024- 18.00-20.00

Class number: 17253

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Light & shade, Glasgow architecture

Glasgow is a city of contrasts, and this is expressed clearly in the architecture from the 19th through to the 21st century. Fluctuating fortunes, and changing tastes, have shaped the buildings and streetscapes of the city, and left us with a patchwork of styles and materials. This course examines the architects who created the buildings, and the social and cultural forces that influenced their individual approaches to design and construction. Architects such as Alexander Thomson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, as well as David Hamilton, John James Burnett, Edith Burnet Hughes, the firm of Gillespie, Kidd & Coia, and Zaha Hadid will be covered.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 20 September 2023- 10.00 -12.00

Class number: 9133

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Scottish 19th century painting

During the nineteenth century painting flourished in Scotland and its artists made a significant contribution to British artistic developments. This course traces the development of Scottish painting during this period and introduces students to the discipline of art history. Focusing on some of the major artists of the period, such as Raeburn, Nasmyth, Wilkie, Paton, Orchardson, McTaggart and the Glasgow Boys, the course highlights the principal characteristics and innovations of their art and the context in which it was created. The development of Scottish painting within the wider framework of European art will also be explored.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 19 September 2023- 10.00 -12.00

Class number: 23774

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Northern Renaissance art

This course studies the arts of Flanders, Germany and England during the 15th and 16th century, with special emphasis on painting and sculpture dated up to 1603, the year of Queen Elizabeth I’s death. Important components of this course are the investigation of how the term Renaissance is applicable to the artistic styles of these regions during these times, and the extent to which the taste for Gothic survived and was amalgamated within the new Renaissance aesthetic.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday )

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 20 September 2023- 13.00 -15.00

Class number: 23796

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Women artists in Europe c.1400-c.1890

Until more recent times the history of women artists has been overshadowed by their male counterparts. With them now gaining the recognition they deserve, this ten-week course will further their recognition. The course will explore the rise of women artists from the early modern period in Europe to the 19th century. Paying special attention to Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) and to Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) the course will introduce students to the lesser-known artists.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 09 January 2024- 10.00 -12.00

Class number: 17090

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Art nouveau: the DNA of modern life

This course will demonstrate that Art Nouveau stood behind many seismic shifts in visual and performing arts at the turn of the 20th century in the European and American contexts and will show that it continues to be of influence today. Students will be introduced to the major national European and North American versions of Art Nouveau and will be acquainted with major international figures such as Mucha, Bernhardt, Mackintosh and Lalique. Examples from art, architecture, design, fashion, theatre, and cinema will be discussed as well as highlighting the importance of women as muses and masters within the movement.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 January 2024- 18.30 - 20.30

Class number: 14693

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Caravaggio to Velazquez: Baroque art in southern Europe

This course investigates Baroque art with special focus on the drama and intensity of its expressions in Italy and Spain, though comparisons with other areas of Europe, such as Portugal and France, will also be considered. The course looks primarily at painting but it will also cover architecture and sculpture. This is illustrated through an assessment of artists such as Caravaggio and Velázquez, and of their legacy. Because of its renowned theatricality, the cultural aspects of this style will be also highlighted. The course offers a comprehensive analysis of the visual feast that is synonymous with Baroque art.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 January 2024- 13.00 -15.00

Class number: 23787

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The history and mystery of psychogeography

Psychogeography is the study of the specific psychological effects inspired by the geographical environment on the emotions and behaviour of the individual. Interest in psychogeography has never been higher. The term has appeared in colour supplements, and been discussed on the radio and in television documentaries. This course begins with an explanation of the theories and practices behind psychogeography, covering its history from Roman times through to the present by way of 19th century literature, the Occult, Avant Garde Art, Philosophy, Situationism and Punk Rock.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 04 April 2024- 13.00 -15.00

Class number: 16855

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El Greco to Goya: Spanish painting in focus

This course provides an introduction to the fascinating contribution to painting in Spain of five outstanding artists who enjoyed international renown. Each week we will look at a different artist and, while we focus on the following five artists, El Greco, Velazquez, Zurbaran, Murillo and Goya, we will also explore their work in its social and historical context. This context includes consideration of the status and work of contemporary women artists connected with the Spanish court such as the Italian painters Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana. Reference will be made to major examples in European and British national and public collections.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 03 April 2024- 10.00-12.00

Class number: 4286

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Impressionism 1860-1900

Impressionism is perhaps one of the most famous movements in art history, but how exactly do we define Impressionism? How did it begin? What was it responding to? How did it develop and why did it end? This course will explore not only the art and artists of this movement, but also its social and cultural context, and the ways in which it interlinks with other aspects of nineteenth-century French art to create a nuanced and in-depth picture of this period in art history.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 03 April 2024- 13.00 -15.00

Class number: 23789

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Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction: life writing, memoir and autofiction

Everyone has a story to tell about their life but sometimes it can be hard to write down. Life writing, memoir, and autobiographical fiction (or autofiction) bring our real experiences to life on the page, helping us make sense of events and share compelling stories. This practical course examines notable examples to identify distinct techniques, structures and styles that we can practise in our own writing. It also offers approachable writing exercises to try these techniques out, share what we’ve written and improve with mutual feedback. This course also introduces students to the ethical implications and options available when drawing on real life for inspiration. While the main purpose of this course is literary and creative and not therapeutic, personal reflections are welcome. Overall, this practical course offers students a welcoming first step towards writing about real-life.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 19 September 2023- 18.30-20.30

Class number: 7538

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Short introduction to writing flash fiction

Flash fiction is characterised by its brevity. In 1000 words or less, vivid characters, worlds, stories, sensations and meaning can bloom. Learning how to craft flash fiction also fosters valuable writing and editing skills as every word, space and punctuation mark counts.

Join this brief course to learn the art and craft of flash fiction writing with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll discuss and decode inspiring examples of the form to pick up new skills and techniques. Writing exercises will enable you to practise these in your own writing and share your work for group feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write flash fiction pieces. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step or reinvigorating new approach to writing short texts with big impact.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 08 May 2024- 18.30-20.30

Class number: 7020

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Introduction to short story writing: getting started

Join this course to learn the art and craft of short story writing with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll discuss and decode inspiring examples of the form to pick up new skills and techniques. Writing exercises will enable us to practise these in our own writing and share our work for group feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write short stories. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step or reinvigorating new approach to writing short stories.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Monday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 25 September 2023- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 13770

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Introduction to Creative Writing- January start

This course offers anyone new to creative writing a chance to learn about different types of writing and to try them out themselves with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll read and discuss inspiring examples of writing (such as poetry, short story, novel, non-fiction and drama) to find literary techniques, craft and skills that we can apply to our own work. Writing exercises will allow us to practise these skills and share our work for feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step to the art of writing creatively.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 11 January 2024- 18.30-20.30

Class number: 16369

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Short introduction to writing flash fiction

Flash fiction is characterised by its brevity. In 1000 words or less, vivid characters, worlds, stories, sensations and meaning can bloom. Learning how to craft flash fiction also fosters valuable writing and editing skills as every word, space and punctuation mark counts.

Join this brief course to learn the art and craft of flash fiction writing with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll discuss and decode inspiring examples of the form to pick up new skills and techniques. Writing exercises will enable you to practise these in your own writing and share your work for group feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write flash fiction pieces. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step or reinvigorating new approach to writing short texts with big impact.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 25 October 2023- 18:30-20:30

Class number: 7021

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Introduction to novel writing: getting started

Starting to write a novel for the first time can be daunting task. Join this course to learn with others the key techniques, writing advice and helpful habits that will help you kick start the process. Together we’ll look at inspiring examples and discover key techniques such as narration, voice and character that keep readers turning the page. Writing exercises will help us apply these techniques to our own writing and share our early work for group feedback. We will also discuss practical habits and ideas that help us start writing our novels. Overall, this course offers a practical first step and reinvigorating new way to realise your ambition to write a novel.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Saturday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 13 January 2024- 13:00-15:00

Class number: 11834

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The Novel: Redrafting and Editing

How do novelists refine their work? What can beginners learn from the redrafting methods of novelists and editors? Join us on this course to examine how the first drafts of novels are re-worked and improved through multiple edits and how these lessons can be applied to your own writing. This course also offers the opportunity to share extracts of your own writing that you have edited for group feedback and to reflect on your own personal editing practice. Overall, students will gain valuable editing techniques that will enhance any novel manuscript under development.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Saturday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 06 April 2024- 13:00-15:00

Class number: 3366

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Introduction to Creative Writing- April start

This course offers anyone new to creative writing a chance to learn about different types of writing and to try them out themselves with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll read and discuss inspiring examples of writing (such as poetry, short story, novel, non-fiction and drama) to find literary techniques, craft and skills that we can apply to our own work. Writing exercises will allow us to practise these skills and share our work for feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step to the art of writing creatively.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Face-to-face

Start date and time: 04 April 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 16370

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Introduction to Creative Writing- June start

This course offers anyone new to creative writing a chance to learn about different types of writing and to try them out themselves with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we’ll read and discuss inspiring examples of writing (such as poetry, short story, novel, non-fiction and drama) to find literary techniques, craft and skills that we can apply to our own work. Writing exercises will allow us to practise these skills and share our work for feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step to the art of writing creatively.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 27 June 2024- 13:00-15:00

Class number: 16371

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Intermediate novel writing: getting to the end

Writing a novel can be a long process and the midway point can be challenging for writers. This course enables students to build on their previous experience to learn new techniques that can help them plan, write and edit their novel towards completion. Examples of novel structures, styles and synopses will be examined to identify further key techniques that can be applied to our own writing. Writing exercises will allow us to practise these techniques and share them for oral and written peer feedback. We will also reflect on our writing practices, creative decision-making and engagement with the novel form.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Saturday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 29 June 2024- 10:00-12:00

Class number: 18245

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Slavery in the Americas

This course will provide students with an introduction to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery in the Americas. Students will learn about the origins of slavery in the New World, the triangular trade routes, the middle passage, life on the plantation, and the importance of the slave trade and colonial slavery to Europe and America.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 09 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 16838

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Scotland under the early Stewart kings 1371-1603

The failure of the Bruce line saw the emergence of the Stewarts as Scotland’s royal dynasty. As monarchs, they embraced the Renaissance; entered into regal union with France; endured the Reformation; and entered into regal union with England. Was James I truly a tyrant? Was Mary really the ‘Harlot of Rome’? Was James VI the ‘wisest fool in Christendom’?

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Monday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 18 September 2023- 10:00-12:00

Class number: 14024

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Scotland into the modern age 1837-1952

This course will examine the social, economic, political and industrial changes that took place in Scotland from the accession of Queen Victoria to the death of George VI. It will consider the effect of the increasing reliance on the heavy industry that came to define Scotland and the Scots. It will outline the impact of the two world wars and how this experience drove both electoral reform and the development of the welfare state.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 21 September 2023- 19:30-21:30

Class number: 23858

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Road to War: Weimer Germany, Appeasement and Hitler, 1918-1939

From defeat at the end of World War One, how did Adolf Hitler transform the German state into a one-party dictatorship with renewed military ambitions? How did Neville Chamberlain arrive at appeasement as a foreign policy and why did it fail so spectacularly? This course offers students a comprehensive account of the unfolding international crisis of the inter-war years, from the fall of the Weimar republic and the rise of the Nazis to the failure of appeasement. Guided by talks from our expert tutor and discussions with classmates, students will be given the opportunity to examine the main figures and events, explore original materials and compare differing historical perspectives to gain a better understanding of the road leading to the Second World War.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 3259

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A history of modern terrorism: 'the infernal machine', 1800 onwards

After 9/11, the study of terrorism shot from a relatively niche activity to a top national priority for many governments trying to find out why people become terrorists, why it endures and how to defeat it. Yet the phenomenon of political violence is a tactic as old as warfare itself and answers to these questions remain elusive. This course will examine the history of modern terrorism; its methods, motives, aims and state responses stretching from its origins in the wake of the French Revolution (when the ‘infernal machine’ of ‘terrorism’ is first labelled), through the anarchists of the 1880s and 1890s to the left- and right-wing clashes of the twentieth century and the multinational operations of Islamic groups today. Guided by talks from our expert tutor and discussion with classmates, students will have the opportunity to examine primary sources from these events and evaluate conflicting historical perspectives to understand better how modern terrorism relentlessly evolved while still caught in the old cliché that ‘one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter’.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 20 September 2023- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 10587

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Abolishing slavery in the British Empire

This course will introduce students to the processes by which slavery and the slave trade in the British Empire were abolished. Students will learn about the impact of the slave trade to Britain’s economy and the Empire, the work and successes of British abolition societies, the opposition to abolition, and the political efforts to abolish the slave trade and slavery.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 09 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 15808

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A history of the western seaboard of Scotland

This course will provide a history of the western seaboard of Scotland from the earliest times to the early twentieth century. It will cover social, political and economic aspects from Dal Riada, the Vikings, Somerled and the Lordship of the Isles to Jacobitism, famine, clearance and emigration.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 11 January 2024- 19:30-21:30

Class number: 5838

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American politics in the 21st century

This course will examine the interplay between institutions, elected politicians and the public to consider politics in America today. The ideals of the American system and the actual outcomes that are being realised in contemporary elections and policy results will be discussed and examined.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Monday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 08 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 14486

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Scotland 1567-1707

Seventeenth century Scotland was particularly turbulent: an absentee monarch provoked a civil war that resulted in the establishment of a Covenanted theocracy, prompting invasion and incorporation into the republic of the English Commonwealth. The restoration of the Stuarts was followed by the accession of William of Orange and Jacobitism and culminated with parliamentary Union in 1707. We will discuss these and other main features of Scottish history during this period.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Monday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 08 January 2024- 10:00-12:00

Class number: 5374

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Scotland after the Union 1707-1838

The course will examine the social, economic, and political history of Scotland from 1707 to 1838. We will identify and analyse the main developments in society and culture during this period. Focus will be given to agricultural development, industrialisation, urbanisation and the Enlightenment. Among other themes the course will consider Jacobitism, demographic change including clearance and emigration, and the economic consequences of union.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 02 April 2024- 10:00-12:00

Class number: 15914

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Exploring Scotland’s slavery past in 5 locations

This brief course consists of five talks offering virtual guided tours of specific locations across the Central belt of Scotland with significant and often overlooked connections to slavery and abolition. This course highlights the importance of New World slavery and enslaved labour to Glasgow’s tobacco lords and the city’s emergence as the “Second city of the empire”. It also examines how the people and profits of the slave trade changed the built landscape, industry, trade, and architecture across central Scotland. The five locations include: the Merchant City, Greenock & Port Glasgow, the Clyde, Edinburgh’s New Town, and the University of Glasgow Gilmorehill campus. Maps and notes will be provided for students who wish to make their own visits to the locations.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 02 April 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 13790

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The Irish Revolution 1912-1925

The years 1912-25 saw the violent end of British rule in Ireland and its replacement by two new Irish states representing conflicting visions of the Irish future. This brief course will examine the causes, events and consequences of this revolutionary change in Ireland, from the first stirrings of revolt in Ulster in 1912, through the Easter Rising, to the political turmoil of violent insurrection, partition and civil war. Looking back a century later, this course will explore the legacies of this momentous decade and how they continue to shape modern Ireland today.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 08 May 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 2394

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Scotland: the making of the kingdom c.500-1124'

The kingdom of Scotland grew from four distinct population groups - Picts, Britons, Scots and Angles - and had emerged as a nation by AD 900. We will examine the similarities and differences within these societies and the means by which the Scots came to dominate and name this land. The course will also assess the impact and spread of Christianity and how religion was utilised in the creation of Scotland. To what degree did the territorial extent of Scotland fluctuate over this period and what were the reasons why this was so? We shall examine land tenure and consider the ways in which it differed from later feudalism. Was Shakespeare's rendition of Macbeth and Duncan accurate? What was David I's background before becoming king in 1124?

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 04 April 2024- 19:30-21:30

Class number: 5954

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Hitler's Lightning War: The Battle of France, 1940

In the summer of 1940, the Germans conquered the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg), defeated France and drove the British out of Western Europe. Hitler’s achievements were sudden and shocking. Franco-British leaders believed they were well prepared for a potential war with Germany, so what went wrong? This course examines the key events that led to German success during this pivotal year, including fraught Franco-British cooperation, the Air War and the Dunkirk evacuation. It also explores the repercussions of this swift defeat. Guided by talks from our expert tutor and discussions with classmates, students will be guided through the main figures and events, examine contemporary materials and compare differing historians’ perspectives to gain a better understanding of this pivotal moment in the Second World War.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 14 February 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 18348

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Inside the American Presidency: The Biden Administration

This brief course will consider the ongoing work of the Biden Presidency and the challenges it faces in achieving its goals and dealing with change in America after the Trump years. Considering a wide range of topics from the domestic to the international, we will examine how President Biden and his team have engaged with Capitol Hill, the Republican Party, other Democrats, State Governors, and the wider world. Have Joe Biden and America moved on from the ‘former guy’ and if so how?

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Friday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 May 2024- 10.00-12.00

Class number: 15062

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The Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution had a decisive impact on the history of the twentieth century. This course examines the origins, course and legacy of the revolution by looking at the dramatic and violent events which accompanied the fall of the Russian Tsars and the creation of the Soviet Union between 1905 and 1929. Beginning with an overview of Imperial Russia and the problems and challenges it faced, it goes on to look at the growth of revolutionary movements which would eventually lead to the October Revolution of 1917. It lastly examines the bloody civil war (1918-1921) and how the Bolsheviks consolidated their control over the country under Lenin. In a series of talks and discussions students will be invited to reflect on this controversial period of history and its complex legacy.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 January 2024- 10.00-12.00

Class number: 23870

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Introduction to contemporary Scottish fiction

This course offers an introduction to the main aspects and concerns in contemporary Scottish fiction. Texts to be studied will be three novels and short story collections.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 10 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 2967

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Reading contemporary Gothic Horror writing

Gothic horror writing continues to be a popular form in the 21st Century inspiring film and TV adaptions, online publishing and cult followings on social media. It both probes contemporary concerns and draws on a wealth of cultural history. But what are the common literary features of gothic horror writing today, if any? How are we scared, why and what role does it play? This brief course explores the development of gothic horror literature over the course of the 21st century so far. Through a series of talks and discussions, it will provide an in-depth analysis of a selection of recent texts to help chart the diversity of styles, structures, themes and techniques during this time. Students will discuss the recent social and literary context of these stories, plus explore their abiding historical connections.

Credits: 5

Weeks: 5 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 03 April 2024- 19.00-21.00

Class number: 12932

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Philosophy of the self

This course begins by asking the deceptively simple question “Who am I?”.  It introduces students to different views of the self from Classical to modern times by covering the ideas of key figures in the Western philosophical tradition.  A range of philosophical problems related to the self are considered, including the nature of personal identity and self-knowledge; the value of character and integrity; and the meaning of authenticity. Key discussions of these issues from Aristotle to Descartes and Hume and Sartre are also covered and the course ends with consideration of the critical views of Freud and Foucault.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 21 September 2023- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 13558

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How to be more rational: an introduction to logic and systematic reasoning

What does it mean to be more rational? What tools and techniques can be employed to become more rational? This course will address these and related questions by teaching students how to think logically and to reason clearly and methodically about any subject matter. Students will be introduced to foundational concepts and techniques in logic and reasoning, including: the structure of arguments, deduction, induction, rational persuasiveness, logical fallacies, and cognitive biases.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 19 September 2023- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 2868

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Souls, minds and matter: An introduction to the philosophy of human nature

Do you have a soul, or are you simply your brain, or some kind of complicated natural program that ‘runs’ on your brain? How you can ever make free choices if you live in a world governed by natural laws which determine everything that happens? How might belief in the existence of God affect the answers to the previous questions? Is there a god? This course will address these and related questions by examining the main answers that have been offered by leading philosophers and scientists.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 09 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 12906

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Existentialism: Nietzsche and Sartre

What kind of beings are we? In what sense are we free? What is it to live an authentic existence? How do we find meaning in our lives? Through talks, group discussions and further reading, this introductory course seeks to explore these central questions that define existentialism. It introduces some of existentialism’s key figures (Nietzsche, Sartre, and others), locates them within their historical context, and explores how they grappled with these questions. Lastly, it explores existentialism’s continuing relevance for how we experience the world today.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 11 January 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 16500

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Continental perspectives on truth: Nietzsche, Bergson and Deleuze

This course introduces students to the work of three significant figures in the continental tradition of philosophy - Friedrich Nietzsche, Henri Bergson and Gilles Deleuze – and evaluates their perspectives on philosophical truth. In particular, this course compares the way they challenge our pursuit of truth by questioning its sources, shifting our attention away from abstract models towards embodied, intuitive and expressive modes of thinking. More broadly, the course invites students to appreciate this form of philosophy as a beneficial discursive practice which enhances the agency of inquirers. In keeping with continental tradition, this course will also examine ways to apply these perspectives to contemporary situations such as post-truth politics.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Thursday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 04 April 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 6840

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Elementary formal logic: an introduction

The rules of logic have been developed over more than two millennia by contributions from numerous philosophers, mathematicians, and empirical scientists, including famous names such as Socrates, Plato, Leibniz, Boole, Frege, and Russell. But what are those rules, exactly? And how can they applied to produce logical proofs? This course will address these and related questions by introducing students to some of the basic elements of formal logic.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 02 April 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 18841

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Environmental Ethics: right and wrong in the age of climate crisis

How should we balance the need to produce cheap food with environmental damage? Should we be using low-cost airlines? Is it now immoral to have children? Should animals be granted the same rights as human beings? The climate crisis gives rise to many daily and long-term moral questions concerning how we should live and behave. This course introduces students to environmental ethics, the branch of philosophy concerned with how our moral values and decisions impact the natural world. Through a series of talks and discussions, this course will grapple with the difficult environmental moral dilemmas we face as humans and encourage students to reflect and consider how we face these challenges.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Wednesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 26 June 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 15273

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Feminist Philosophies: an introductory guide

Feminism has long contributed to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. This course introduces students to the ways in which reflection on feminist thought can inform philosophical issues. The content will focus on some of the key debates in feminist philosophy, drawing from areas such as metaphysics (the nature of reality and being), philosophy of language (why it matters, what it impacts) and epistemology (ways of knowing). Through a series of talks and discussions, this course will focus on a range of feminist texts, ideas and debates that have had a lasting impact on how we think across a range of disciplines.

Credits: 10

Weeks: 10 (every Tuesday)

Delivery: Online

Start date and time: 25 June 2024- 19:00-21:00

Class number: 4331

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