Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.

May 2023July 2023

June 2023 Modules

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A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Shadow (HoMe 6)
(Section 1)
 Hybrid

Four 1-hour Webinars with James Tauber & John Garth, meeting on June 5 at 10:00 PM Eastern, June 12 at 10:00 PM Eastern; June 19 at 3:00 PM Eastern; June 26 at 10:00 PM Eastern.
Section 1: Meeting with Patrick Lyon on Thursdays at 10:00 PM (Eastern Time) on June 8, 15, 22, 29.
Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material.

This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the first book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the Shadow (Volume Six of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth.

Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.
Precepted by Patrick Lyon (Section 1) and James Tauber (Lecturer)
with guest John Garth

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Shadow (HoMe 6)
(Section 2)
 Hybrid

Four 1-hour Webinars with James Tauber & John Garth, meeting on June 5 at 10:00 PM Eastern, June 12 at 10:00 PM Eastern; June 19 at 3:00 PM Eastern; June 26 at 10:00 PM Eastern.
Section 2: Meeting with Sara Brown on Thursdays at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time) on June 8, 15, 22, 29.
Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material.

This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the first book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the Shadow (Volume Six of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth.

Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.
Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown (Section 2) and James Tauber (Lecturer)
with guest John Garth

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Shadow (HoMe 6)
(Section 3)
 Hybrid

Four 1-hour Webinars with James Tauber & John Garth, meeting on June 5 at 10:00 PM Eastern, June 12 at 10:00 PM Eastern; June 19 at 3:00 PM Eastern; June 26 at 10:00 PM Eastern.
Section 3: Meeting with Sara Brown on Thursdays at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time) on June 8, 15, 22, 29.
Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material.

This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the first book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the Shadow (Volume Six of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth.

Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.
Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown (Section 3) and James Tauber (Lecturer)
with guest John Garth

Beginning Greek 9
Continuing Series

Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip 22 for Mythmoot), 27, 29.
Want to read the NT in the original Greek? The Greek translation of the Old Testament? This module’s for you! We continue our study introducing learners to the basics of ancient Greek: the alphabet, introduction to the verb system (tenses and moods) and the noun system (the very helpful article, first and second declension). Over several modules, the students will learn the foundations of the language and then students will be able to read texts.
Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring (Part Two)

Meeting Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 AM Eastern for either 1-hour sessions on May 31, June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, (skip 26), 28.
Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book II of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!
Precepted by Elise Trudel Cedeño

Egyptian Hieroglyphs 3
Continuing Series

Meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip 22 for Mythmoot), 27, 29
The Hieroglyphics series will present students with a basic understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs, grammar, and knowledge about how to proceed with further study. In this sequence of courses we will discuss how to translate steles that you are likely to encounter in museums, as well as their cultural significance. As student progress, the class will tackle more complex translation. Each one-month module builds on the previous one, so students ready to learn Hieroglyphics will communicate with our Director and Professor Gaffney to make the right placement for everyone.
Precepted by Shawn Gaffney

Exploring Natsume’s Book of Friends: Part 1
 Spotlight

Meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip 22 for Mythmoot), 27, 29
Natsume’s Book of Friends is a contemplative and heartfelt anime/manga series about a boy who inherited a book from his grandmother, allowing him to control youkai. Instead, he chooses to free them. This series sits at the intersection of fantasy and slice of life, and it touches on many aspects of Japanese folklore and culture, at the same time telling a story about connection and compassion. In this module, we will watch and discuss the first two seasons of the anime, paying particular attention to themes including: the iyashikei (healing) genre of anime, the portrayal of youkai in popular culture, and the use of concepts and imagery from Japanese literature and folklore in the series.

This module is primarily discussion based, with some contextual information provided by the preceptor. There will be a Google Doc for class discussion and your preceptor will use slides, but sparingly.

Introduction to Binding Books by Hand

Meeting Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28.
Do you love the physical object of a book just as much as the information it contains? Do you smell your books when you get home from the library or the bookstore? Do you like working with your hands to make things? Then this module is for you!

This class is an introduction to the materials, tools, and methods of making books by hand. Whether you're looking to make "junk journals" on a tight budget or want to rebind your favorite tome in leather, you'll find the information you need in this module!

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
Outline 8-Session Structure
Week 1 Session 1: Brief History of Book Binding and Tools Overview
Session 2: Materials and Terms - The Anatomy of a Book
Week 2 Session 3: Text Block Assembly 1 - Glued Binding Options - Perfect Binding and Double Fan Binding
Session 4: Text Block Assembly 2 - Sewn Binding Options - Kettle Stitch, Coptic Binding, and Japanese Stab Binding
Week 3 Session 5: Cover Assembly 1 - How To Make a Softcover - Paperback and Wrap Covers
Session 6: Cover Assembly 2 - How To Make a Hardback - Classic/English Binding and Hollow Back Case Binding
Week 4 Session 7: Cover Decoration and Finishing - Traditional and Modern Methods
Session 8: Overflow, Resources for Further Research, and Final Q & A
Precepted by Praise Moyer

Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism

Meeting Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 PM for eight 1-hour sessions on June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28.
Building on the "Introduction to Early Buddhism" module, we will explore the development of Mahayana Buddhist traditions, focusing especially on Madhyamika and Yogacara trends, the Zen and Pure Land Schools, the Heart Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and interactions with Chinese religio-philosophical systems, especially Daoism, and the fascinating culture of the Dunhuang caves.
Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Japanese for Beginners 6
Continuing Series

Meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip the 22nd for Mythmoot), 27, 29.
In this series of modules, you will get familiarized with basic Japanese vocabulary and structures. Using a communicative approach, you’ll learn basic expressions, start to learn the hiragana script, and recognize katakana and kanji in a fun and interactive way. We will also explore Japanese culture in general. いっしょに日本語を学びましょう!
Precepted by Pilar Barrera and Sam Roche

Life in the Middle Ages: Peasants

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 PM for eight 1-hour sessions on June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip 22 for MythMoot), 27, 29
We are taught in our culture about the "dark ages," from the so-called "Fall of Rome" to about 1500 or so. This module examines why the "dark ages" aren't dark by looking at the lives of peasants during the thousand year period.
Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Old English 2
Continuing Series

Meeting Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, (skip 22 for Mythmoot), 26, 29
Ready to begin learning Old English? This series of modules introduces students to the vocabulary and structure of the earliest recorded form of the English language. One year of modules prepares the student to read texts from over a thousand years ago! Each one-month module builds on the previous one, so students ready to learn Old English will communicate with our Director and Professor Swain to make the right placement for everyone.
Precepted by Dr. Isaac Schendel

Old English 6
Continuing Series

Meeting Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:00 PM Eastern for eight one-hour sessions on June 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, (skip 23 for Mythmoot), 27, 30.
Ready to begin learning Old English? This series of modules introduces students to the vocabulary and structure of the earliest recorded form of the English language. One year of modules prepares the student to read texts from over a thousand years ago! Each one-month module builds on the previous one, so students ready to learn Old English will communicate with our Director and Professor Swain to make the right placement for everyone.
Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Such an Odyssey 2

Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on May 30, June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, (skip 22 and 27 for Mythmoot), 29
This 6-module series will work slowly through the 24 books of Homer’s Odyssey. Each week we will read one book of the Odyssey aloud together, comparing editions and language and then discussing translation choices, plot development, character and setting descriptions, and overall themes. With two hours to spend on each book, students can enjoy a slow reading pace, little to no homework, and lots of class discussion.
Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker

Writers' Workshop Writing the Other: The Different Body Problem
 Spotlight

Meeting Mondays and Thursdays at 8:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour workshops on June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, (skip the 22nd for Mythmoot), 26, 29.
It's a sometimes inconvenient fact that characters have bodies, and sometimes, those bodies directly affect the stories we write about them. Writing characters who live in bodies that do not perform according to the cultural standard is a skill like any other part of the writer's craft.

In this course, we will look at examples from literature of how authors have dealt with what we usually call disabilities. Some have done well, others have materially harmed people with their writing.

We will also work with one another to hone our craft as writers who are telling stories so that we can find the new and inspirational, while leaving behind the worn-out clichés that make the lives of people like your preceptor materially harder.

Note: Texts will be provided by the preceptor.

Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here.
Precepted by Christopher Bartlett
If you have any questions about the SPACE program, please reach out to [email protected].