History and Philosophy

 

Monarchs and Royal Families of the British Isles

Jill Mitchell

HP15

Almondbury Church Hall

Monday 2.00 - 4.00

Spring Session Only

These sessions will look at monarchs and royal families of the British Isles from Boudicca, through the Medieval Period and ending with the Tudors. The course will cover royal families of Scotland and Wales as well as England plus individuals from abroad who married into these royal families. We will be looking at both royal women and royal men. Handouts and possibly some PowerPoints will be included.
Spring session only

Crime & Punishment (Autumn)/Criminal Ancestors (Spring)

David Taylor

HP16

Huddersfield Mission

Monday 2.00 - 4.00

Autumn session
From ‘Bloody Code’ to Borstal: crime and punishment, c.1780-1914
These sessions will look at key elements in the evolution of the modern criminal justice system. As well as looking at changing explanations of criminality and the development of the criminal trial, we will explore changes in punishment, notably the emergence of the prison, rather than the scaffold, as the main site of punishment.
Spring session
Criminal Ancestors
We will focus on (some of) the men, women and children who appeared before the nineteenth-century courts and often found themselves in prison and other related institutions. As well as looking at ‘serious’ crime (i.e. murder and robbery) we will look at the more mundane indictable and summary offences. In particular, attention will be given to the way in which the law was used to combat deviant sexual behaviour, illegal substances and even leisure activities.
The two 10 week sessions are related, but both are self-standing.

Transport Around Huddersfield

John May

HP17

Jubilee Centre

Friday 10.00 - 12.00

Huddersfield has a rich transport heritage. Packhorses, stagecoaches, horse-drawn carts, wagonettes, canals, railways, hansom cabs, steam and electric trams, motorized lorries, and buses. In these sessions we’ll look at many aspects of transport in the town and surrounding area, including the influences of independent operators, local politics, legislation, and operator groupings. We’ll also have a look at some of the social history associated with transport operations and at the rise and fall of some local companies – many will remember, for instance, County Motors or Hansons, but have you heard of Blue & White? We’ll find out how the trams continued when so many of the men were in the Great War; how uniforms developed; and why you might have travelled on a knifeboard.

 

 

A History of the Soviet Union 1917-91

Michael Reader

HP18

Online

Tuesday 16.00 - 17.30

Each week, by zoom, Michael will talk through the history of the Soviet Union using images supported by text. He will contact group members with joining instructions before the first session.

Tracing Medieval Landscapes

Geoffrey Higgs

HP21

Stocksmoor Village Hall

Tuesday 1.00 - 3.00

AUTUMN SESSION ONLY

This course will trace historic features in the landscape as it appears today. It is based on the previous ‘Interpreting the landscape’ course and will cover such topics as ancient woodland and their management, historic field systems, early industries and the role of the church and landed elites in shaping the landscape. We will meet fortnightly in the Autumn term, starting from Tuesday 23rd September when all further dates will be advised. Please note there is a minimum class size of 8 for this course, so it may not run if insufficient people sign up.

Fortnightly over the Autumn Session only.

Practical Philosophy

Graham Gibbs

HP22

Jubilee Centre

Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30

We welcome anyone who is interested in the ideas and debates in philosophy whether they have previous experience in the subject or none at all. Our method is relaxed and, at times, humorous. In the last couple of years, we have looked at a diverse range of subjects including perseverance, artificial intelligence, utilitarianism, the ethics of climate change, self-deception, honesty, beauty and blame. After a brief introduction, usually based on a short, circulated document which looks at relevant concepts and philosophers, we spend most of each session discussing the ideas and arguments. However, no one is under any pressure to speak to the group and everyone is recognised as equal because we have no prima donnas, only learners. In some weeks, sessions are prepared and led by group members.

20th Century Philosophy

Kenneth Beachill

HP23

Wednesday 10.30 to 12.30

Huddersfield Mission

The course will explore the major contributors to 20th century philosophy, including G Ryle, Wittgenstein and beyond. The major emphasis will be the development of language.

To book on any classes, you must firstly be a member of the U3A. Why not join today?

Join / Renew

Seen a class or two that you'd like to join? Book on today to reserve your place.

Book Classes