What is it about certain novels that keeps people turning the pages a century or two after they were published? This course unlocks the secrets of three novels by British literary giants:• Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist: More than just a tale of an orphan, this novel was a gritty, unflinching look at poverty and crime that shocked Victorian sensibilities.• Thomas Hardy's Under the Greenwood Tree: Beneath its charming surface, this novel subtly challenged societal norms and expectations of rural life.• Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet: The thrilling debut of Sherlock Holmes, this story wasn't just a detective novel – it pushed boundaries with its innovative narrative and complex characters. Now celebrated as classics, these books were once considered controversial. They sparked fierce debate, exposed uncomfortable truths, and forever changed the landscape of British fiction. Join us on a literary journey that explores these timeless novels. Designed to be welcoming and engaging for everybody, no prior knowledge is needed for participating on this course. Come ready to enjoy literature, share your ideas, and engage with a great story well told. Together we will question, challenge, and shake up conventional literary opinions, just as these audacious authors did in their own time.
Courses
Three Classic British Novels
When & Where
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6 November 2025 - 11 December 2025 ( 12 hours, 6 weeks )
- Afternoon, Thursday
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View course timetable
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Waterloo Centre
Quick Facts
- Availability Yes
- Tutor Caroline Ings-Chambers
- Course Code W25HMSC01A
- Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course
What you will learn
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Awaken your pleasure of reading three classic British novels.
- Engage in literary appreciation of story telling, style, plot structure, characterisation.
- Develop your critical thinking on Historical Context, Social Issues, British Culture, and Human Nature as represented in the different classic novels.
- Interact with like minded people for the pleasure of reading, intellectual stimulation, shared experience, discussion, discovery.
- Sharpen your critical thinking by analysing the message beneath the surface of a text, or just enjoy the pleasure of reading.
Cost
Full fee
£60
Concession fee
£40
Class format and activities
Each course novel will be discussed over two consecutive lessons. Discussions will open with talking about what we find dramatic or interesting in the work, and what we do not fully understand or appreciate. Then through tutor led activities and an open forum of debate, we will consider themes and concepts present in the text, learn about the cultural and literary contexts in which it was created and analyse why a work of literature has transcended the era in which it was written to be regarded as a classic.
Entry requirements
No prior knowledge is needed for participating on this course.
What you need to know before you enrol
Students are encouraged to read the materials that will be discussed in the next lesson in advance of the lesson.
What you need
Notebook and pen or pencil
What you can do next
Study further literature courses.
