WEA Courses

In the first of a series of study days charting the history and development of western philosophy, we explore Socrates and Plato - two of its seminal figures. We will consider key elements in the ideas of both men, looking in particular at Socrates’ pronouncements on ethics, and Plato’s dialogues on the soul and the perfectly just city-state, as recorded in The Republic. Future study days will take us through other great philosophers from the ancient Greeks to the modern period.

This course explores the main debates around gender and sexuality in Western as well as non-Western philosophical traditions. In particular the course will focus on the distinction between gender and biological sex, and the debate around the value and status of human sexuality.

Illuminated manuscripts; handwritten books decorated with gold, brilliant colours, and elaborate designs have a long tradition in Europe, with production moving from monasteries to major centres such as Paris and Bruges. From the 8th c. Lindisfarne Gospels to the 15th c. Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy we shall examine how such highly prized items were made and why; we shall consider who commissioned them and assess the style of a variety of artists involved in their production.

Richard Wagner was the most influential innovator in operatic history, and one of the toweringly creative minds of the 19th century. In his mature operas, he overturned the then current ideas of what opera was, and – in the monumental “Ring” cycle – synthesised the poetic, musical, visual and dramatic aspects of performance. The theatre he had built at Bayreuth still hosts the annual Festival which continues to be run by the Wagner family, and his reputation and associations remain as controversial as they were in his day.

Built as a Roman frontier road in 187 B.C., the Via Emilia played a major part in the development of the many different civilisations that have flourished along its length for more than two millennia, and this exciting and far reaching course will explore the rich diversity of this artistic legacy left by Romans and Lombards, medieval pilgrims and renaissance princes, saints and scholars.

For over 300 years the British seaside has attracted visitors to its shores; first for health reasons, and then to be enjoyed in its own right, including its often idiosyncratic architecture. We will trace the development cycle of the seaside resort from its origins, through heyday to decline and, more recently, instances of rejuvenation and renewal. Examples will range from the select resort of Torquay, to more boisterous holiday destinations such as Brighton and Blackpool.

This course will investigate eight major monuments of art history from the great museums and citiesof the world. A varied selection of painting, sculpture and architecture will be included, with examplesto be found in the great galleries including the National Gallery in London, the Louvre in Paris and thePrado in Madrid. Artists will include Bernini, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Botticelli, Holbein and Vermeer.Buildings will also feature with an investigation of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Borromini.