Learning about the world around us

Here at the WEA we offer a huge range of humanities and science courses, with something for everyone.  

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If you’re interested in the natural world, our geography and environment courses are the perfect choice. Our packed curriculum explores some of the biggest issues facing society, such as climate change and the fight against the destruction of some of Earth’s most precious resources. The option to learn in person or online means that our geography courses can whisk you away to a far-flung corner of the globe, all without you ever having to leave your own home. 

Studying a science

If you choose to take one of our psychology courses you’ll be immersed in the study of the human mind. With options to learn about memory and identity, you’ll get the chance to explore and debate some of the most famous psychological experiments.  

There’s also Sociology too, a subject that focuses on human behaviour, interaction, and relationships. If you’d like to explore some of the biggest questions in life, then our philosophy courses are for you. Small class sizes mean that you’ll get to discuss and debate in a supportive environment, all with an experienced tutor on hand.  

Attend a Humanities and Science course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home or opted for face-to-face learning at a local community venue, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their subject. Our learning experience sets us apart from other providers, with learners regularly highlighting the difference that an encouraging environment makes. 

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History: Cookery through the ages

Join us on this fascinating look at cookery through the ages. We will discover the changes in food over the centuries. From how it was cooked, how it was eaten, the ingredients used and how it affected our society and language, from ancient times to this century, with an emphasis on British history. We will look at some recipes that you may (or may not) wish to try, these will be available in Canvas our virtual learning environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 12/06/2024 -
Wed 31/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00013816
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Plants and People: Momentous Encounters

Plants have played a dynamic and pivotal role in our lives. Their cultivation has provided innumerable rewards as well as challenges; their properties contributed to our health; their character and classification has aroused curiosity and wonder; their collection called for skill and brought pride and delight. Over the course of three sessions with guest speaker Dr Sarah Law and through stories of notable encounters between people and plants as diverse as water lilies, gingers, rhubarbs and nightshades, we will dip into this rich and diverse engagement, touching on Edwardian water gardens, nineteenth-century botanic gardens and the purgatives and plasters that once stocked British medicine chests.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 12/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00015006
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

History: Art and About: Walking Radical London – The Strand & Fleet Street

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! This gentle walk down the Strand to Fleet Street from Charing Cross Station will concentrate on the sites the area’s radical past. From the meeting places of the London Corresponding Society, to the Chartists & their Six Point Charter, Sylvia Pankhurst’s Communist Party of Great Britain’s headquarters, radical booksellers and publishers – all will be pointed out. We will take regular pauses to look at some of the evidence for what was once a hotbed of radical and revolutionary politicking. We will discuss the contribution and achievement of these movements and individuals and ask what their legacy is. We will meet at 10.30am at the Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross Station, London WC2N 5PH

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 14/06/2024 -
Fri 14/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Place:Charing Cross Railway Stat
Charing Cross Station
Strand
London
WC2N 5HS
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00014846
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

History: Aphra Behn: Poet, Playwright, Prisoner, Spy. Her Life & Times

Join tutor Michael Long on this fascinating one-off session, presented as part of Women's month, looking at the life of Aphra Behn. Aphra Behn was a playwright, poet, translator and royal spy. She was a woman in a world of men, a staunch Royalist, a spy, and condemned as a scarlet woman with loose morals. She was also the first woman in England to identify herself as a professional writer. She wrote to suit the occasion, and she wrote to make money. This is a brief look at her life and times rather than a focus on her literary achievements.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 14/06/2024 -
Fri 14/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michael Long
Course code:
Q00015617
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: History of the Post Box

Discover the history of the British Post Box, an icon of our postal system. Apart from being an icon, the Post Box is in daily operational use as an essential public service, something that we are all familiar with, but may know little about its history. Come and discover the fascinating development of the design and its manufacture, as well as its place in our social history. This course is suitable for those with both little and some knowledge of the subject. To note down key points, it is suggested that you bring a notebook.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 18/06/2024 -
Tue 02/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michael Turner
Course code:
Q00014313
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.65

Care 2 Visit Motecute House, Somerset

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for. Join me to find out about Montecute House in Somerset. Together, we will virtually explore this historic building and the fascinating story behind it. This course is ideal for those who want to spend time learning something new from the comfort of their own home.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 19/06/2024 -
Wed 19/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014601
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

History: Cookery through the ages

This day school is a condensed version of a full ten-week course on the history of British cookery, from the Stone Age up to the present day. We go through the historical timeline, examining major changes in food technology and sources, where food came from, how social history affected food and vice versa, how it was served, and how food has affected our language. While clearly I can’t fit all the details into a single day, I’ll try to pick out the parts that are “good stories”. This is a purely theoretical course, intended for beginners, and no experience of cooking or knowledge of history is needed (though experience of eating would help!).

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 21/06/2024 -
Fri 21/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Forum (Norwich)
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00014952
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.00

History: Queens of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt demonstrates how even in a male-dominated society women did on occasion rise to the highest position in the land. In this study day we will explore the women who not only held great influence but sometimes effectively ruled Egypt. From the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut to Cleopatra VII we consider how this women came to power and served as some of antiquities most prominent female figures.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 22/06/2024 -
Sat 22/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Mary's University (Twickenham)
Waldegrave Road
Twickenham
TW1 4SX
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00014669
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £40.00

History: An Introduction to Criminal Profiling and Crime Scene Analysis

The origins of criminal profiling in the UK can be traced back to Dr Thomas Bond in the 1880s. This course will explore the evolution of applications and techniques over time, using top-down and bottom-up techniques to profile three case studies from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, respectively. Each photoset exercise will incorporate an analysis of the crime scene and associated criminal investigation, discussing the importance and limitations of eyewitness testimony and other significant factors. In order to maximise learning opportunities, this course will feature complex crimes involving multiple references to substance misuse, extreme violence, and use of weapons. This course assumes no prior knowledge.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 22/06/2024 -
Sat 22/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Norwich Millennium Library (Norwich)
Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW
Tutor:
Kerry Heathcote
Course code:
Q00015251
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Personal Development: Skills for International Travelling

Curious about the world around us and already following inspirational travellers on social media. How about you create your own race across the world? Together we’ll look at how travel can be exciting and yet accessible. Develop your own travel plan and discuss with others your adventure ideas. Looking at the pros and cons of travelling in wet seasons or in winter. Sometimes you want to spot those elusive icebergs, though maybe not when a polar bear is in pursuit of you! Dealing with unexpected wildlife encounters is an eye-opening session on this course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/06/2024 -
Mon 29/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tiffany Coates
Course code:
Q00014673
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30