Reading the city: Amsterdam Literary Classics
In this course you will become familiar with Amsterdam by some of its literary highlights. We read texts that have received (inter)national acclaim and that are key in understanding both historical and present-day Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
The texts we read range from Bredero's De Spaansche Brabander to The Diary of Anne Frank, from Tobi Lakmaker's debut novel The History of My Sexuality to Anton de Kom's We Slaves of Suriname. Our focus will be on the views of Amsterdam, its citizens and Dutch culture in an ever more globalising world from the 17th century till today. In class we will read and analyse the texts. The course is open for all those interested in literature and culture, particularly Amsterdam literature and Dutch culture.
Lecturer
Time, location and price
- 8 April - 21 May 2026
- Wednesday 15:00-17:00 and Thursday 15:00-17:00
- P.C.Hoofthuis room 1.04 (on both days)
- € 210 (for AUV members € 189)
Important to know
- The Registration deadline for this Open UvA-college is: 19 March 2026.
- You can only audit an OUC, which means that you may only attend lectures and cannot attend seminars, take part in the examination, or obtain ECTS credits.
- For the study schedule, please consult the UvA timetable website
- Study material: Literary texts and additional readings (in English).
Public programme Humanities
This Open UvA Course is part of the Faculty of Humanities' public programme. Beside Open UvA Courses, the public programme also comprises special lectures and series of courses. The public programme is intended for alumni, employees looking for extra training, and all others who are interested in art, culture, philosophy, language and literature, history and religion.
- Mode
- Open UvA Course
- Credits
- 0 ECTS, 7 weeks
- Language of instruction
- English
- Starts in
- April