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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Care 2: Visit Hebden Bridge and Hardcastle Craggs

A virtual visit to a small Mill Town in West Yorkshire, and the nearby historic woods. Join me for a virtual visit to a Hebden Bridge a small Mill Town in West Yorkshire, and the nearby Hardcastle Craggs, now woodland with a historical past of its own. This course is for carers who are caring or have cared for people. Take some time for yourself and discover the history around this area of the UK. You will have chance to contribute and ask the tutor questions, while enjoying friendly discussion with new people. Come along and join the tour, all from the comfort of your own home!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 30/05/2024 -
Thu 30/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00015076
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: Art and About: Eynsford Castle – An Overlooked Gem

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! On this site visit we will take a gentle stroll around the ruins of Eynsford castle, a little remarked upon gem of a Norman castle dating from the 12th century or possibly earlier. After a thorough look at the remains, we will consider the documentation that survives for the castle and consider some of the big questions that remain about the building. Why was it built here, who did it belong to, why did it fall into disrepair, what were the influences on its construction and most important of all – what can it tell us about life in Medieval Kent. We will meet at the castle drawbridge! Postcode is Eynsford, DA4 0AA

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 31/05/2024 -
Fri 31/05/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Eynsford Castle (Dartford)
Eynsford Castle
High Street, Eynsford
Dartford
DA4 0AA
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00014851
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

Philosophy: Behind the Headlines

The workshop will briefly introduce the principal ideas of a selection of philosophers and apply these to the discussion of the news headlines and the controversies that lie behind them. This workshop will encourage discussion and sharing of ideas about current affairs and will involve reflecting on how to make philosophy a part of this discussion.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 01/06/2024 -
Sat 01/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Mary's University (Twickenham)
Waldegrave Road
Twickenham
TW1 4SX
Tutor:
Daniel Williams
Course code:
Q00014358
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£40.00

History: The Egypt of Empire and Conquest - Ancient Egypt and Nubia

In a Study Day suitable for all we will consider how ancient Egypt treated a neighbour. Nubia is the area immediately to the south of ancient Egypt encompassing the south of Egypt today and much of modern Sudan. Nubia itself developed significant cultural entities especially the Kerma civilization and the later Napatan and Meroitic cultures. However much of the history of Nubia is inter-twined with ancient Egypt. The relationship between ancient Egypt and Nubia is a fascinating one and an ever-changing story. This day school explores the Nubian experience with Egypt from trade, through conquest, to the ‘Black Pharaohs’ of the Kushite period.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 01/06/2024 -
Sat 01/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Reading International Solidarity Centre
35-39 London Street
Reading
RG1 4PS
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00013791
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £36.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
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  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
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Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

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.

Course Information

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

Permaculture Design Certificate

Join us at Community Roots in Porthtowan, Cornwall for this accredited course in Permaculture Design. Delivered by our experienced Permaculture tutor this course will introduce to the key concepts of Permaculture design whilst undertaking practical design tasks with our partner Community Roots who run a community supported agriculture project on the scenic North cliffs in Cornwall. This bespoke course has been created with Community Roots to meet the needs of people who are wanting to introduce permaculture principles either at home, in the community or in a commercial setting.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
9:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00013554
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

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:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 02/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00014823
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

History: The First World War (Part 2)

The First World War is thought to be the most written-about war in history, and yet to many it can seem utterly beyond comprehension – its geographic scope, its length, the lack of clearly defined war aims, the seemingly endless offensives and the terrible casualty bill all conspire to make this seem an impenetrable and at times futile conflict. And yet real issues were at stake, which mattered to many of those who fought, on both sides.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 25/06/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00015010
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

History: Happy, healthy holidays on the Essex coast

This course is a trip into the past thinking about the heritage of holidays on the Essex coast. Covering topics such as family trips famous names in popular entertainment, the development of seaside resorts, highlights and heydays, decline and development, the course is an opportunity to reminisce and share memories with like-minded people as well as learning more about a little-known area of Essex history. Previous participation in an Essex seaside holiday is not compulsory and all students are welcomed to come and learn more about this little-known area of Essex history.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Billericay Reading Rooms (Billericay)
73 High Street
Billericay
CM12 9AS
Tutor:
Claire Parker
Course code:
Q00013751
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Personal Development: Map Reading Stage 2- Intermediate

The course will build on your existing knowledge and experience of using map symbols to navigation in lowland countryside using an Ordnance Survey 1 to 25,000 scale map. We will look at ways of refining your existing skills to add fluency to your use of a map in inclement weather and poor visibility. We will also introduce ways of interpreting landscape forms using contours and other clues contained on your map. We will also learn how to use a base plate compass (Eg. Silva Compass) to take bearings and use these to find a route away from clearly defined paths.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alastair Clark
Course code:
Q00014144
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20