Learning about the world around us

Here at ÀϾÅÆ·²è 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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Gardening Practical: Care to Make a Summer Hanging Basket for the Changing Climate

Are you noticing the changes to our traditional British weather? Do the four seasons still exist in Britain? Climate change is leading to higher summer temperatures and for our gardens to survive, changes are needed, so we can all continue to enjoy the flowers and colours we are used to. Our gardens and our traditional hanging baskets are one of the things we can change without losing the beauty to suit the future climate. This one off session will look at plants for hanging baskets that may be more suitable in the changing climate; whilst still providing colour, contrast and enjoyment for the Summer season.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 14/05/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Deborah Young
Course code:
Q00011616
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55

History: Whatever did we used to do for fun? Popular entertainment in the 16th and 17th century

This short course will introduce students to past concepts and perceptions of fun. What did people eat and drink for pleasure, what sports and games were played when people had spare time, and how was both the playing and listening of music enjoyed in sixteenth and seventeen century England? Through examining some primary sources, such as recipe books, maybe even playing a game or two, and reading and listening to ballads, by the end of the two weeks, students will have gained insight into aspects of past concepts of fun and note both the similarities and differences to how ‘fun’ is thought of today.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 21/05/2024
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Peterhouse Community Centre
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow
London
E17 3PW
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00015365
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £20.00

History: Britain In Ireland - From The Act Of Union To The Irish Free State

This six week online course will look at the history of the Ireland as it gradually established itself as an independent nation state. Beginning with the Act of Union, which brought the country into the United Kingdom for the first time, we’ll examine the history through the tragedy of the Famine and resultant growth in republicanism, the attempts to introduce Home Rule to give Ireland autonomy within the Union, and then outbreak of violence with the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, whose repercussions are still being felt today.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 19/06/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00014382
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

History: The Architecture of Six Great University Cities

Some of the most remarkable English city architecture outside London in to be found in centres where university development has helped shape the character of building. We will look at representative examples - York, Oxford, Exeter, Cambridge, Durham and Norwich.
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Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/05/2024 -
Fri 17/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Ambrose Allen Centre (Tadley)
2 Franklin Avenue
Tadley
RG26 4ET
Tutor:
Keith Hasted
Course code:
Q00009876
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: Towards the Establishment of the NHS

Was the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948 a new and revolutionary model of universal health care, or the natural conclusion of a long process of growth in the understanding of illness and disease, and the development of professional skills and infrastructure to treat and support those who were sick? In this course you will discover the background to the decision to provide health care ‘free at the point of delivery’, and learn how we can trace the story from medieval charity to 20th century social investigation and political developments.
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Course Information

Dates:
Sat 18/05/2024 -
Sat 18/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Swaffham Community Centre (Swaffham)
Iceni Partnership
Campingland
Swaffham
PE37 7RB
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00015292
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.00

Care 2: Visit The Royal Pavilion at Brighton

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for, join us to look at the Royal Pavilion at Brighton and explore its fascinating history. This course is a great way to learn something new form the comfort of your own home. Feel free to contribute to the class and get involved in the interesting discussions.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Mon 20/05/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014605
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Gardening Practical: Grow your own Food & Flowers

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you like to learn how to grow your own food and flowers? Join us in the community gardens and polytunnel at Easington Lane Community Access Point and learn how to tend and care for a flower or vegetable garden. Our tutor will guide you through the basic steps of planting. Whether you want to support your local community by growing crops to share or learn how to grow food for your own family (on a windowsill or garden), this hands-on course is a great place to start.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/05/2024 -
Tue 25/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Easington Lane Community Access Point
Easington Lane
Houghton - le- Spring
DH5 0LE
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00015393
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: Memories and Myths- Why Does History Matter

Does history matter? How does your view of the past affect your approach to the present? Whose interpretations can you trust? As debates rage about the legacy of the British Empire and the pulling down of statues, this course gives you an opportunity to take a more nuanced look at some of the issues involved. You will be able to look at case-studies, and to explore questions about the nature of history and the way we discuss it. The course will help you to form your own views on these controversial topics.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/05/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Symon Hill
Course code:
Q00012194
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

History: Art and About: The Cato Street Conspiracy – A Walk

Part of ÀϾÅÆ·²è Art and About Festival 2024! We will take a gentle stroll through a historic part of London focusing on the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820. Starting at Edgware Road Underground Station and finishing at Grosvenor Square, we will take in the sites of the plot including the miraculously surviving hayloft in which the plotters met. We will consider the evidence for the plotter’s intentions and the many theories that have been advanced over the involvement of the government, the police and the military. We will consider the men involved and the political atmosphere, culture and setting in which they operated. We will meet at Edgware Road Underground Station, Chapel St, London NW1 5DH
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Course Information

Dates:
Fri 24/05/2024 -
Fri 24/05/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Edgware Road Underground (London)
Chapel Street
London
NW1 5DH
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00014852
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

History: The Paintings of Raphael

The course will evaluate the major painting works of Raphael, and consider them in relation to other instances of Italian High Renaissance art. As far as possible, we will place the works back into their original contexts. We will evaluate Raphael’s distinctive contributions to the art of Central Italy (especially in relation to his rivalries with other leading artistic figures, such as Michelangelo), and will analyse a number of key works in detail, paying particular attention to issues of patronage, of original purpose and Raphael’s careful construction of an individual style. The course will be discussion-based, so that together as a group, we will test out and consider a variety of ways of interpreting how the paintings would have worked, and what they would have meant for viewers, in the contexts of their own time.
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 28/05/2024 -
Tue 18/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Peter Finch-Sieg
Course code:
Q00015324
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60