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: China, Korea and Japan - The Impact of the West 1800-1912

How the presence of the West brought into sharp relief the political and cultural issues between China, Korea and Japan. We will gain a better understanding of the political and cultural relationship between China, Korea and Japan during a crucial period in their histories. This course will use material culture to understand each culture and explore the political relationship between the three and how that was altered with western interventions.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 27/02/2024 -
Tue 26/03/2024
Times:
10:45am - 12:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Tonbridge Methodist Church (Tonbridge)
Higham Lane
Tonbridge
TN10 4JG
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00011317
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

History: Famous Trials Revisited

In the course titled "Famous Trials Revisited," Peter Blood will revisit and re-examine several trials that he previously taught in Chichester and Bognor between 2014 and 2016. The primary objective of this endeavour is to gain a deeper comprehension of the political, social, and legal significance associated with these trials. By taking a second look at these cases, Peter Blood aims to uncover new insights and perspectives that may have been overlooked initially. Through this process of re-evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the broader implications and complexities surrounding these famous trials.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 27/02/2024 -
Tue 26/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
St Paul's Church Hall (Chichester)
Churchside
Chichester
PO19 6FT
Tutor:
Peter Blood
Course code:
Q00012684
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

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.

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.

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:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

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.

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: Health, Medicine and Social Care Part 2

Health and the care of the sick and disabled are a perennial concern for individuals and society. In this course you will develop an understanding of the sources which tell us about the ideas and practices of the past. You will learn how the motives and beliefs of religious and secular authorities led to them taking responsibility for aspects of health care from the Middle Ages, and discover that some of the institutions set up then have survived to the present day.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 28/02/2024 -
Wed 13/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Swaffham Community Centre (Swaffham)
Iceni Partnership
Campingland
Swaffham
PE37 7RB
Tutor:
Mary Fewster
Course code:
Q00013188
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

History: The Last Tsars

A three week online course with historian David Price. If you have an enthusiasm for history and culture, this course will be of interest”. We will look at the lives and reigns of the last three Tsars; and questions are invited for those who wish to for discussion. The course will also show online images. A look at the history of the Russian Empire from the end of the Crimean War until the February Revolution of 1917, concentrating on the personalities and decisions of the last three Tsars – Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II – and how these three rulers affected the course of history for more than 120 million people living in the empire.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 28/02/2024 -
Wed 13/03/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00013234
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 29/02/2024 -
Thu 14/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St John the Baptist Church Meeting Room
55 Main Road
Danbury
CM3 4NG
Tutor:
Roger McMaster
Course code:
Q00012960
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £28.50

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.

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:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Understanding the Climate Emergency

Nowadays we are all aware that there is a climate emergency, but sometimes it’s hard to get your head around the scope of the issue. If you care about the planet and you’d like to try, this climate change course is for you! This short climate awareness course can help you understand the main factors driving climate change. It aims to give you foundational knowledge so you can make informed decisions about your lifestyle. Learners will engage in this short 2-hour session on the carbon footprint of food within their international cooking course which is essential to raise awareness about sustainable food choices. To captivate their interest, the session will emphasise the global impact of food production and consumption. Highlighting the environmental consequences of food choices, such as transportation emissions, deforestation, and resource depletion, will make the topic relevant and urgent. Use eye-catching visuals and relatable examples to illustrate the carbon footprint of popular international dishes. Incorporating interactive activities like carbon footprint calculators and sustainable cooking demonstrations will make the session interactive and memorable, inspiring learners to make eco-conscious decisions in their culinary endeavours.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/03/2024 -
Mon 04/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Nadia Belmajdoub
Course code:
Q00012407
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.20