The first nE course run by Jacob Gardner – that’s Deborah’s eldest in case you didn’t know!

“Origins” & “The Stories We Tell” take on a multitude of fascinating topics and ideas, with Yuval Noah Harari’s ‘Sapiens’ forming their centre of gravity. In particular, we will be making use of the brilliant graphic-novel version to help aid in digesting a host of tantalising issues.

So many of the problems and difficulties faced by humanity today can be traced back to our very distant past. Understanding these links is both profound and illuminating.

“Origins” focuses on where we come from. What does the prehistory of our species reveal? It is remarkable just how profoundly our 21st century existence is still shaped and determined by factors forged tens of thousands of years ago.

“The Stories We Tell” is about the astounding power of storytelling. How has this ability to “believe ten impossible things before breakfast” enabled the domination of planet Earth by a single species of curious ape? The course will be probing and challenging, questioning the sources of our deepest beliefs; what is real and imaginary, and how do we distinguish between fact and fiction?

A two-night, three-day residential course, with all meals, trips and teaching included.

Best suited for ages 13-16 – though tailoring to other ages is possible upon request.

10% off for each additional participant you book with (up to 4)

This course will involve a combination of reading, discussion and writing. A final “showcase”, with tea, cake and seasonal mince pies rounds things off on the Wednesday (Dec. 22nd), during which participants will read and perform. Of course, like all novelEnglish offerings, outdoor learning and excursions will form a backbone as well. Expect star-gazing, an introduction to meditation, helping to prepare and cook evening meals, a bonfire, film-night, trips to secret Cornish beaches, and an altogether eye-opening exploration of how humanity came to be!

Click here to book now

Any questions? Contact Jacob Gardner – enquiries@novelenglish.co.uk