Social science and study skills courses

Exploring Spirituality

Course length: 6 weeks

Learning type: On campus learning

This 6 week course will offer you a chance to further explore the meaning of spirituality. Spirituality touches so much of our lives, whether through the things that give us meaning and purpose, or the things that lift our spirits and bring us hope and connection.

The course will include learning about some lesser-known religions, with at least 1 visiting speaker. We will also explore some of the many nonreligious paths to the spiritual, for example through poetry, story or contact with nature.

Everyone is welcome to attend, you don't need to be religious.

Exploring Tea Ceremony

Course length: 8 weeks

Learning type: On-campus learning

This course provides a practical introduction to cultural studies and philosophy through the art of making tea and will draw on different cultural perspectives using tea as a way to explore traditions and cultural beliefs, etiquettes and history.

The course will also cover aspects of East Asian philosophy related to traditional tea ceremonies, including Confucianism, Shinto, Taoism and Zen Buddhism as a way of exploring belief structures and themes of cultural belonging.

Protest Songs

Course length: 8 weeks

Learning type: On-campus learning

Each week, we will listen to well-known protest songs and then think about how they work musically, how they respond to social and political situations, and how those situations may have changed (or not changed) since the song appeared. As part of this course, you will be encouraged to think about how music is used to influence social change, and you’ll be invited to bring in any favourite protest songs. The course is open to all, and no music or songwriting experience is necessary!