THE STORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

English is the richest language in the world, but where do our words come from? We have borrowed many foreign words - where from and why? Words are very important to us, but why do they cause such strong reactions? Why are some words forbidden? Why are some words more ‘respectable’ than others? Why do 

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THE WESTERN – FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE 1950s

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

By the 1950s, the Hollywood Western had come of age, adding new complexity and emotional impact to earlier themes. Directors like Howard Hawks, John Ford, Anthony Mann and King Vidor created some of their finest work within the genre. This film appreciation course will trace its development from the earliest days using clips and discussion. 

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EXPLORING GARDENS FROM THE ARMCHAIR

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

A series of encapsulating talks exploring the art and meaning of gardens, gardening and flowers. (These talks may appeal to those that are fascinated by gardening but not in the mood for hard, physical graft!). Danny Wells (Derbyshire highamhall.com/danny-wells) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190

WRITING FICTION: CHARACTER AND DIALOGUE

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

A residential creative writing course aimed at both beginning and intermediate writers interested in flash fiction, short stories, novellas or the novel. Consisting of lectures, writing exercises and individual tutorials, enjoy uninterrupted writing time in a beautiful rural retreat. In addition to taught sessions on ‘Character’ and ‘Dialogue,’ Darren will provide you with short stories 

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A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO SPIRITUALLY FOR ATHEISTS

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

What is spirituality? Can it be secular or must it be sacred? Can it help to fill the god-shaped-hole left by Nietzsche? Using lectures, literature, discussion and meditation, this course will draw upon a variety of global traditions to see if, as atheists or agnostics, we can utilise the wisdom of different cultures to feel 

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TALK & TEA: THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIDLIFE

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Why does midlife often induce incongruous changes in one’s life? Is it that the things we have spent our lives pursuing no longer hold value? Making reference to philosopher Kieran Setiya’s distinction between existential value and ameliorative value, as well as the traditional Hindu stages of life, we will explore the value of life’s goals. 

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A CRASH COURSE IN PHILOSOPHY

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Formerly philosophy was the preserve of PhDs and the intellectually precocious, until now! In this course we will explore some of the key questions of philosophy, such as: “How do we know that we know what we know?” ; “How should we live?”; “What is the best form of society?”; “Why do bad things happen 

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TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

What does it mean to be authentic? Just how does one ‘keep it real’? Have ideals of authenticity been corrupted by an excessively individualistic Western culture? In this talk Nietzsche (‘Become who you are’) and Heidegger (‘People are inauthentic because they allow themselves to be moulded by the group’) will help us to explore our 

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NATURE JOURNALING FOR WELLBEING

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

*NEW* Nature Journals can be an ideal way to connect more closely with nature. It has proven benefits to our wellbeing, and is a fun way to add value to even the shortest walk. Explore the different ways to record your finds, and leave with a plan and the beginning of your own journal. Ideal 

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SHAKESPEARE’S CONTEMPORARIES: BEN JONSON’S THE ALCHEMIST

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Join us to explore Ben Jonson’s ever-popular comedy of greed and folly. Social satire and split-second timing combine as a trio of conartists frantically juggle an increasingly complex series of overlapping scams and fight for status between themselves. Not to be missed! Clare Smout (Shropshire highamhall.com/clare-smout) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190