Delve into history

Explore the events of the past, and how they’ve shaped the world we live in today. Immerse yourself in different eras, marvel at historic achievements, and examine how different things could have been.  

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All of our courses are designed to help develop your skills in historical research and analysis, encouraging you to look beyond the surface of key historical moments. From the history of King Arthur to World War I and II, you’ll develop a better understanding of key historic customs, beliefs, and ways of life.   

Whether you consider yourself a history buff with decades of experience, or someone just starting out that wants to learn more, you can choose from a wide selection of topics.   

Attend a WEA history course near you  

A variety of our history courses are taught in-person or are delivered online - it all depends on what suits your needs best. From the comfort of your own home to a space in your local community. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is vastly experienced.   

The support you’ll receive on our history courses  

They'll help you develop an understanding that goes beyond just what's on the surface, all within a friendly and encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with many of those attending our courses going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you too, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

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Homeland to Hamas: A guide to a greater understanding of the Middle East conflict

For many people the events in the Middle East are horrifying, worrying and confusing. It can be difficult to navigate the often bewildering complexities of the conflict and its historical context. This course is for anyone interested in broadening their understanding of this troubled area. We will explore the claims to Palestine from both the Arab and Jewish perspectives, investigate the progression of the conflict from 1917 to 2011 covering the impact of both world wars, foreign involvement and the different wars and insurrections that have broken out over this period.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 27/02/2024 -
Tue 30/04/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Nottingham Mechanics (Nottingham)
3 North Sherwood Street
Nottingham
NG1 4EZ
Tutor:
David Halliwell
Course code:
Q00012913
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

History: Ancient Egypt’s Cultural Heart - The Middle Kingdom

Ancient Egyptian civilization endured for three thousand years and includes a 300-year period termed by Egyptologists the Middle Kingdom. In this course suitable for both newcomers and those with more experience of ancient Egypt we explore this fascinating period in Egypt’s history. The Middle Kingdom in Egypt is a time of literature, pyramids, conquest and fascinating artefacts. In this course which will be rich in visuals but also include some texts we will explore different types of evidence together in an informal setting to seek to understand more about this pivotal time in ancient Egypt.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 28/02/2024 -
Wed 27/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Woodley Hill House (Reading)
Woodley Hill House
45 Eastcourt Avenue
Reading
RG6 1HH
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00012306
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

History: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt

Sources from ancient Egypt do not just tell us about tombs and death, we can learn a lot about life over 3000 years ago as well. Egyptians could write frankly, satirically, or even humorously providing a fascinating insight into an ancient society. In a study day suitable for all we consider topics such as work, play, education, games, birth, death, love and more. You will read texts and view images from ancient Egypt in order to explore and evaluate the evidence for the daily life of individuals and the elite in ancient Egypt.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 28/02/2024 -
Wed 27/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
St Marks Methodist Church (Maidenhead)
Allenby Road
Maidenhead
SL6 5BQ
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00012305
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

History: World War One - Causes and Effects

The course will cover the major causes of the first world war, referring to some of the historiography concerning those causes. It will cover the major outcomes of the war especially but not limited to the treaties of 1919. It will cover the major events of theatres of war outside the Western Front, particularly Africa, the Middle East and Pacific. The course will be lecture based though student contributions and discussion will be encouraged.
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Course Information

Dates:
Thu 29/02/2024 -
Thu 14/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Template
WEA
Tutor:
Roger McMaster
Course code:
Q00012960
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £28.50

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: Courts and Yards

At the turn of the 20th Century more than 10% of Norwich’s population lived in its old courts and yards which were notorious for containing its worst slums. Join local historians and authors Frances and Michael Holmes to learn more about their research into the courts and yards of Old Norwich. During this course, we will cover all aspects of the yards, including conditions, expansion, clearance and communities who lived there. Two of the sessions will be class based, the third will encompass a walk taking in parts of Oak Street, Wessex Street and St Benedicts street.
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Course Information

Dates:
Fri 01/03/2024 -
Fri 15/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Charing Cross Centre
17-19 St John Maddermarket
Norwich
Norfolk
NR2 1DN
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00011945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

History: The Celtic World

The traditional view is that Britain was inhabited by Celtic tribes before the Romans invaded and were then subsequently exiled to the Western fringes. This Study day will examine Britain’s historical connections with the Celtic World, particularly its art and culture. It will consider what it means to be a Celt both from a historical perspective and in the present day; why the identity of being Celtic has significance and; how our views on whether all those who call themselves Celts have changed over time.
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Course Information

Dates:
Sat 09/03/2024 -
Sat 09/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Cornerstone (Wokingham)
Norreys Avenue
Wokingham
RG40 1UE
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00012308
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £36.00

History: History of the Thames Sailing Barge

With tutoe John Rayme. How often have you been walking along one of rivers in East Anglia, like the river Blackwater or Orwell and you have seen those large red sailed vessels making their way down river with a group of people onboard and wondered about what they are and what they used to do. This course has been designed to explain over the next two weeks, the history of the Thames sailing barge, highlighting what they did, how they worked, where they went and what they do today and how people groups of people try and keep them sailing.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 12/03/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Maldon Town Hall (Maldon)
Market Hill
Maldon
CM9 4RL
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00012732
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

History: Three Remarkable Mary's - Women Who Fought for Working Class Advancement

This one-off session is an opportunity to find out about the lives of three people, what they did and why they may be considered as remarkable. This course will explore aspects of social, political and economic history from the late 19th century and 20th century, highlighting the role played by three women who were determined to make a change in British society.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 20/03/2024 -
Wed 20/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Billericay Reading Rooms (Billericay)
73 High Street
Billericay
CM12 9AS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00011700
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

Archaeology: Detecting the Dark Ages

The historical record says little about the time after the Romans left Britain which is why it is called the Dark Ages. We know that there was an influx of people and ideas which ultimately led to the foundation to Great Britain. Our interpretation of this period is based on the limited written sources and what is found in the archaeological record. This Study day explores the important contribution detectorists are making in helping Archaeologists in their interpretation of this period. It also serves as an introduction to the fascinating hobby of detecting.
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Course Information

Dates:
Sat 23/03/2024 -
Sat 23/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Reading International Solidarity Centre
35-39 London Street
Reading
RG1 4PS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00012310
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £36.00

Care to Find Out About What Lies Beneath - A History of Ladies Underwear

This course is for Carers, former carers and the cared for, join me for a light hearted look to find out about what actors are wearing underneath in historical dramas on television and on film.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00012219
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free