Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.
December 2024 Modules
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Beginning Japanese 10
Continuing Series
Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 PM Eastern for seven class meetings of 70 minutes on December 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, (skip 24), 26
Continuing from where we ended in Japanese 9, we will advance our knowledge of Japanese grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and kanji as we work our way through the Genki textbook.
Precepted by
Dr.
Robert Steed
Book Club: Chapterhouse Dune 1
Confirmed
Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 PM Eastern, seven sessions for
70 minutes on December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23
70 minutes on December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23
In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit fight to preserve the last sandworms and the hope of humanity...
Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights.
Let the spice flow!
Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights.
Let the spice flow!
Precepted by
Dr.
Julian Barr
Christmas Carols in Latin!
Confirmed
FULL
Creative Writing:
Author Career Thinking and Publishing Paths
(Novel in a Year)
Confirmed
Mondays and Thursdays at 8:50 PM Eastern, seven sessions for
70 minutes on December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23.
70 minutes on December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23.
Congratulations! You've written an epic manuscript. What comes next? In this module, we’ll discuss some factors to consider in your writing career and overview a wide spectrum of possibilities for publishing. We will begin by discussing traditional vs indie publishing and hybrid options. Which is the right choice for your work? In small-group discussions, we will help you define your career goals, come up with strategies for resilience, and workshop blurbs to sell the sizzle in your narrative. More than that, though, this module is about celebrating your achievement that is your novel!
Novel in a Year Note: Anyone is welcome to join our Novel in a Year modules at any time (the only exception is Tree Workshop (Novel in a Year 11) which, while open to all who have a mature writing project ready for close scrutiny, is designed specifically for students who have completed at least 4 previous modules in the Novel in a Year sequence). Each module is designed to stand alone without prerequisites. However, for the richest experience, the full twelve-month sequence of modules will carry you from blank page through to completing your novel. In a writing journal, you will track your progress and moments of unexpected, joyful discovery as you continue your novel. Whether you are looking to publish commercially or simply writing for yourself, our program is designed to nurture your individual writing journey. Our workshops place kindness first, lifting up excellence and encouraging you to tell your story in your own voice. For more information about our Collaborative Feedback model, check out our video here.
Novel in a Year Note: Anyone is welcome to join our Novel in a Year modules at any time (the only exception is Tree Workshop (Novel in a Year 11) which, while open to all who have a mature writing project ready for close scrutiny, is designed specifically for students who have completed at least 4 previous modules in the Novel in a Year sequence). Each module is designed to stand alone without prerequisites. However, for the richest experience, the full twelve-month sequence of modules will carry you from blank page through to completing your novel. In a writing journal, you will track your progress and moments of unexpected, joyful discovery as you continue your novel. Whether you are looking to publish commercially or simply writing for yourself, our program is designed to nurture your individual writing journey. Our workshops place kindness first, lifting up excellence and encouraging you to tell your story in your own voice. For more information about our Collaborative Feedback model, check out our video here.
Precepted by
Dr.
Julian Barr
and
Dr.
Carol Oliver
Creative Writing:
Weekend Intensive
Spotlight
Confirmed
Friday, December 27th 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern
Saturday, December 28th 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern with breaks for lunch and supper
Sunday, December 29th 1:00 PM Eastern to 4:00 PM Eastern
Saturday, December 28th 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern with breaks for lunch and supper
Sunday, December 29th 1:00 PM Eastern to 4:00 PM Eastern
Into the hush of the longest nights... come Stories! While others are recovering, we will be creating. Our format will include SPACE class sessions, WriterSpace focused writing time in excellent company, Bandersnatch Breakout rooms for talking about our craft as well as giving and receiving peer feedback, and an enthusiastic celebration of Story. So sharpen your quills, line up the inkpots, make a BIG casserole to last the weekend.
Here's the plan:
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Friday the 27th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday the 28th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday the 28th from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern:
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Sunday the 29th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern
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Our goal is to create a completed first draft of a short work in one weekend! Prompts, planning, focus methods, peer encouragement, machete editing, character crucibles — we’ll do it all. Writers will write between sessions as well as during.
What did you do in 2024? Wrote a Story.
Here's the plan:
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Friday the 27th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday the 28th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday the 28th from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern:
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Sunday the 29th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern
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Our goal is to create a completed first draft of a short work in one weekend! Prompts, planning, focus methods, peer encouragement, machete editing, character crucibles — we’ll do it all. Writers will write between sessions as well as during.
What did you do in 2024? Wrote a Story.
Precepted by
Sparrow F. Alden
Intermediate Old English:
The Homilies of Wulfstan
Spotlight
Confirmed
Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 PM Eastern for six class meetings of 1 hour and 20 minutes on December 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19
The Anglo-Saxon monk, priest and bishop Wulfstan (†1023) is, after Ælfric of Eynsham, the most famous author of Old English homilies. His alliterative prose, inventive vocabulary, and – most importantly – his fire-and-brimstone preaching style make him a joy to read. The scenes he invokes are both terrifying and captivating, and his descriptions of the invading Vikings as God’s punishment offer a unique glimpse into the mentality of a terrified English people in the 10th and 11th centuries. Come join us for a month of Anglo-Saxon “Old Time Religion” and see if you can master reciting the Old English phrase “Leofan men” with a Johnny Cash accent (suede tunic optional).
In this iteration, we will start with a new sermon: Wulfstan’s "On False Gods" before moving on to his more pious eschatological work. Wulfstan’s oeuvre is large, so each iteration of this module can focus on a different facet of his work.
Note: This unit is open to anyone who has a basic familiarity with the Old English language such as two or more modules of experience with Old English (or an equivalent language, like Old Norse or Middle High German). This means that the module is open both for veterans of the previous module on Wulfstan as well as new students at the late beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
In this iteration, we will start with a new sermon: Wulfstan’s "On False Gods" before moving on to his more pious eschatological work. Wulfstan’s oeuvre is large, so each iteration of this module can focus on a different facet of his work.
Note: This unit is open to anyone who has a basic familiarity with the Old English language such as two or more modules of experience with Old English (or an equivalent language, like Old Norse or Middle High German). This means that the module is open both for veterans of the previous module on Wulfstan as well as new students at the late beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
Precepted by
Dr.
Isaac Schendel
Japanese:
From Zero - 17
Continuing Series
Confirmed
Meeting Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:30 AM Eastern in six class meetings of 1 hour and 20 minutes on December: 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20
This course is for those who have an interest in Japanese culture and wish to continue our study of Japanese. We will continue using Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, and covering grammatical structures. Through use of conversational Japanese, we will continue to explore how the language is used in anime, manga, and music.
Japanese is a language of great nuance and depth. This module will open the door to that world and build a foundation for greater insight into Japan's culture and its people.
Japanese is a language of great nuance and depth. This module will open the door to that world and build a foundation for greater insight into Japan's culture and its people.
Precepted by
Sam Roche
Medieval Drama:
Staging the English Bible
Confirmed
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 6:00 PM Eastern for six 80-minute sessions on December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18
Late medieval English drama brought episodes from The Bible to life in days-long festivals of pomp and pageantry—but what these plays really show us is the day-to-day lives of ordinary men and women of the Middle Ages. With a mixture of lavish spectacle, slapstick comedy, and intimate poignancy, these plays populate the biblical world with familiar figures of the medieval city-life: shrewd workmen and cunning criminals; disgruntled wives and worried husbands; the friends, family, and neighbors of the playwrights and performers.
This course looks at a sampling of plays from the great civic drama cycles of York, Chester, Coventry, and elsewhere, including Noah’s Flood, The Second Shepherd’s Play, Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents, The Crucifixion, The Harrowing of Hell, and The Last Judgement. The works presented here offer both a grand history of the world from Creation to Doomsday, and locally-rooted, vernacular versions of a text then otherwise available only in Latin. Knowledge of Middle English is not required since this course will use the modern-spelling edition by Prof. A. C. Cawley. Scholarly online Middle English versions, however, will also be made available for students wishing to practice their skills in that area.
This course looks at a sampling of plays from the great civic drama cycles of York, Chester, Coventry, and elsewhere, including Noah’s Flood, The Second Shepherd’s Play, Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents, The Crucifixion, The Harrowing of Hell, and The Last Judgement. The works presented here offer both a grand history of the world from Creation to Doomsday, and locally-rooted, vernacular versions of a text then otherwise available only in Latin. Knowledge of Middle English is not required since this course will use the modern-spelling edition by Prof. A. C. Cawley. Scholarly online Middle English versions, however, will also be made available for students wishing to practice their skills in that area.
Precepted by
Dr.
Liam Daley
The Films of Shinkai Makoto 新海誠
Spotlight
Confirmed
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 8:00 PM Eastern for six 40-minute sessions on December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16 (Mon), and 23 (Mon).
Shinkai Makoto is an anime director whose films are known for the hyperrealistic beauty of their background art, but also for their star-crossed lovers and the way they play with time. Shinkai's films are often considered "sekai-kei"; that is, the world may be in crisis, but we see this crisis from the point of view of individual lives. In this mini-module, we will watch several films, based on availability, as per the proposed outline below.
This mini-module will follow a 6-session structure as shown below:
This mini-module will follow a 6-session structure as shown below:
Outline | 6-Session Structure |
---|---|
Week 1 | Session 1: Context and short films |
Session 2: The Place Promised in Our Early Days | |
Week 2 | Session 3: Five Centimeters per Second |
Session 4: Your Name | |
Week 3 | Session 5: Weathering With You |
Session 6: Suzume |
Precepted by
Nancy "Anni" Foasberg
The Life and Legend of St Nicholas
Spotlight
Confirmed
Hybrid
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 6:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour starting on Wednesday November 27, and continuing December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 23.
Who was the real historical figure behind Santa Claus? In this module, we will read the earliest biographical sources about fourth century bishop, St Nicholas of Myra. Your preceptor will facilitate discussions of Nicholas' historical context and examine the development of his legend. Together, we will examine Byzantine stories of Nicholas' benefaction and miracles, his role as patron saint of seafarers, students and merchants (among others), and how he came to embody the tradition of gift-giving in Christendom. A wonderful end-of-year treat!
Precepted by
Dr.
Julian Barr
The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 2
(Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)
(Section 1)
Confirmed
Hybrid
FULL
The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 2
(Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)
(Section 2)
Confirmed
Hybrid
Monday Lectures (Live-Recorded Webinars): Meeting for four 1-hour Lectures with Dr. Sara Brown (and/or guest James Tauber) meeting on Mondays at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, and 16 (and a pre-recorded bonus lecture from Dr. Corey Olsen will be shared with all enrolled students at a time yet to be determined.
Discussion Sessions: Discussion group meetings with Dr. Sara Brown on Fridays at 11:00 AM Eastern for four 1-hour discussion groups on November 29 and December 6, 13, and 20.
JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size!
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 2
(Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)
(Section 3)
Confirmed
Hybrid
Monday Lectures (Live-Recorded Webinars): Meeting for four 1-hour Lectures with Dr. Sara Brown (and/or guest James Tauber) meeting on Mondays at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, and 16 (and a pre-recorded bonus lecture from Dr. Corey Olsen will be shared with all enrolled students at a time yet to be determined.
Discussion Sessions: Discussion group meetings with Dr. Chris Vaccaro on Thursdays at 3:00 PM Eastern for four 1-hour discussion groups on November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19.
JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size!
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
Precepted by
Dr.
Sara Brown
(Lecturer)
and
Dr.
Chris Vaccaro
(Section 3)
with guests James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen
with guests James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen
The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 2
(Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)
(Section 4)
Confirmed
Hybrid
Monday Lectures (Live-Recorded Webinars): Meeting for four 1-hour Lectures with Dr. Sara Brown (and/or guest James Tauber) meeting on Mondays at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, and 16 (and a pre-recorded bonus lecture from Dr. Corey Olsen will be shared with all enrolled students at a time yet to be determined.
Discussion Sessions: Discussion group meetings with Patrick Lyon on Thursdays at 9:00 PM Eastern (except discussion 1 on Friday at 9:00pm due to Thanksgiving. Therefore, the four 1-hour discussion groups will occur on November 29 (Friday) and December 5, 12, and 19.
JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size!
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion.
There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!
I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.
Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.
Precepted by
Dr.
Sara Brown
(Lecturer)
and
Patrick Lyon
(Section 4)
with guests James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen
with guests James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen