September 2025 Modules

Struggling to express your ideas clearly? Wondering why your papers aren’t landing the way you’d hoped? Whether you're just starting out or preparing for publication, this tutorial is designed to help you write with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Our preceptors offer individualized support tailored to your goals—whether you're crafting a research paper, polishing a thesis, developing a conference proposal, or navigating the peer review process. We'll help you transform rough ideas into strong arguments, untangle writer’s block, and craft compelling prose that says exactly what you mean (yes, with grammar that sings).

Sessions may include guidance on structure and organization, revision strategies, citation practices (MLA, Chicago, etc.), research methods, and even engagement with literary theory. Our goal is to help you become the academic writer you want to be—ready to participate fully in scholarly conversations and share your work with confidence.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Dr. Peter Baker, then of the University of Virginia, translated Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland into Old English. This module will work with and translate back into Modern English this fun and delightful text.

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.

Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.

This series of modules would be for students who want to learn how to read Biblical Hebrew. The course would include some speaking, listening, and writing skills as well. But people who learn Biblical Hebrew do so in order to read it, so reading and comprehension skills would take primary focus.

Course Outline:

Weeks One and Two
• Sessions 1-4: Introduce the Hebrew alphabet and vowel classes
Week Three
• Session 5: History of Hebrew alphabet and vowel pointers
• Session 6: Syllabification
Week Four
• Session 7: Daghesh and Shewa
• Session 8: Reduced vowels

Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.

Expelliarmus! Let's read the seventh Harry Potter Book!

We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic.

Over two months, we will follow seventeen-year-old Harry's adventures. With Voldemort ascendant, Harry and his friends are now fugitives. They must find a way to break the dark lord's power, or the Wizarding World is lost...

This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment.

Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist?

Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

The literature containing Norse mythology remains one of the most fascinating bodies of medieval storytelling anywhere. Participants will make sense of Norse myths by examining the structures of the tales and investigating the background in which they were written down in manuscripts. Explore Norse mythology with Old Norse expert Dr. Paul Peterson!

Critical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy writing which I have been pioneering in my own creative works which puts an emphasis on aspects of writing which are often neglected in mass-market fantasy: namely, the careful and controlled use of stylistic devices, the integration of socially relevant themes and philosophical problems into stories, and greater intertextuality with other works in our inherited literary traditions. At the same time, critical fantasy stays true to the core elements of fantasy writing, such as immersive worldbuilding (in spatial and temporal senses), a wide cast of complex characters, and plots often focused on adventures and quests into the unknown.

In this module, I will use my own creative writing and that of other writers to illustrate the key topics of each week (see list below). I will also occasionally use theoretical works (in literary theory) to introduce or explain certain concepts in writing (all such readings are optional). At the start of each week’s lesson, we will also have a sharing session where you can read out your own writing (drafts, overviews, or just random thoughts on your writing) in a safe space among fellow creatives.

Course Outline:

Week One
• Introduction: Module Structure, Topics, and Methods
• Stylistic Principles: Syntax and Phonetics: Chiasmus, Hyperbaton, Parallelism, and Alliteration
Week Two
• Character Principles: Developing Psychological Complexity in Your Characters: Inner Conflicts, Perception, Habits
• Narratological Principles: Narrators Types: Extradiegetic vs Intradiegetic; Heterodiegetic vs Homodiegetic
Week Three
• Narratological Principles: Narrative Space: Dynamic Space, Chekov’s Gun, Ecphrasis, and Fable vs Story Space
• Worldbuilding: Building Historical Layers into Your Writing: Ruins, Symbols, and Forgetfulness
Week Four
• Writing as ‘Philosophical impulse’: Why do we write?
• Workshop: Sharing Thoughts and Writing

A Feast of Writing!

In one weekend, we're going to celebrate creativity by attempting a complete short story, novelette, or novella! Our format will include SPACE class sessions, WriterSpace focused writing time in excellent company, Bandersnatch Breakout room for talking about our craft and 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 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern
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Saturday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern:
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Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern
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Our goal is to create a completed first draft 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.

You are going to end this amazing experience with a complete first draft of your story!


Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here.

Whether you're just starting a story or refining a full manuscript, Signum’s Creative Writing Tutorials offer individualized support tailored to your stage in the writing journey.

For fully grown Tree projects—those in advanced stages of revision—we offer developmental editing guidance, reader feedback, and coaching on self-editing strategies. If your project is ready for professional copy editing, we can arrange a special match with a tutor who provides that service.

For projects in earlier stages—those in active drafting or early revision—we provide writing exercises, focused feedback, and skill-building support to help you grow your craft. These tutorials also make an excellent companion to our Creative Writing modules in SPACE, our adult continuing education program: Explore SPACE Creative Writing Modules.

Wherever you are in your writing process, your tutorial sessions will adapt to your goals—and help you take the next step with confidence.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Summary of David's Tutorial Project – Kasyada Fictional World & Story Cycle

David is seeking mentorship and accountability to help develop and refine a long-standing creative project: a fictional country called Kasyada, complete with 1,500 years of history, story cycles, and mythologies. Having written material over several decades, he now aims to organize and revise his work, produce new chapters, and prepare his stories for potential publication and public sharing. With a strong Tolkien influence and past writing group experience, David is ready to re-engage with his worldbuilding and storytelling in a more focused, supported way.

David's has commented thus on the project:

Blend technology and the humanities in a personalized tutorial designed for the digital age. Whether you’re exploring how digital tools can support literary research, learning data visualization or coding for scholarly projects, or analyzing media forms like film, podcasts, and games, this tutorial adapts to your goals. Engage with fields such as digital text analysis, online publishing, digital archives, adaptation studies, or interactive storytelling. These tutorials are ideal for students building digital portfolios, launching public humanities projects, or investigating how media and meaning converge in modern scholarship.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Explore the languages, cultures, and histories of East Asia in a flexible, student-guided tutorial. Whether you're developing your proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (including work with characters, kana, or hanja), or delving into literature, philosophy, or cultural traditions, this tutorial supports both focused projects and open-ended inquiry. Your preceptor will help you identify next steps, recommend tailored resources, and support your growth—whether you’re practicing conversation, studying classical texts, analyzing a film, or preparing a research paper. Ideal for language learners, culture enthusiasts, or anyone looking to engage deeply with East Asia's rich intellectual and artistic legacy.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

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.

Travel through time and across cultures in a tutorial designed to deepen your understanding of the past and its relevance today. From ancient civilizations to modern revolutions, from folklore and foodways to empire and migration, these tutorials support students in historical research, cultural analysis, and interdisciplinary exploration. Work with a preceptor to develop your historical writing, prepare a presentation, or structure a long-term project. Whether you’re focused on a specific region, era, or theme, this tutorial helps you bring clarity, context, and curiosity to your study of history and culture.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

To achieve the Holy Grail, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and others must face formidable Black Knights, alluring temptresses, inscrutable hermits, and untold supernatural perils. This module examines two works created five-hundred-and-five years apart: “The Tale of the Sankgreal,” in Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur (1470) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). The former represents the culmination of three centuries of medieval Arthurian “Grail” literature. The latter—a triumph of twentieth-century absurdist comedy and one of the funniest movies of all time. But these contrasting visions of the Grail Quest also share striking and unexpected similarities in terms of plot, form, and tone. This course looks closely at Malory’s text and the Pythons’ oddly-faithful film reinterpretation, side by side. In so doing, we explore what Arthur, the Grail, and the Middle Ages meant to the original audiences of both works, what they mean to us today, and how changes in form and context radically shape how stories are told and understood.

This module explores the first book in the series, which started it all: The Hunger Games (2008).

Series Outline:

What lessons do the Capitol and Districts have to teach us? What warnings should we heed? What road leads from here to Panem? Over the course of five months, participants in these SPACE modules will read and discuss a modern classic of dystopian storytelling, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

In this hybrid series, each week will include one lecture and one live discussion. The lectures will examine the inspirations behind, allusions in, and questions posed by that month's novel. In live discussions, participants will share their insights on, interpretations of, and reactions to the story. Together we will consider why this series has spoken to so many readers and explore how its messages remain relevant today.

Students will be asked to read one book over the course of each month in whatever format they choose. All of these novels are available in print, ebook, and audio format.

(Warning: The Hunger Games series include descriptions - for a young-adult audience - of substance abuse, physical abuse, violence, and death.)

Series Outline:

• Module 1: The Hunger Games (2008)

• Module 2: Catching Fire (2009)

• Module 3: Mockingjay (2010)

• Module 4: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)

• Module 5: Sunrise on the Reaping (2025)

Join us as we continue learning (advanced) basic Japanese, focusing on the areas of reading and listening comprehension, with some attention to speaking and writing. Over the course of this module series we will work our way through the Genki II textbook, building upon the foundation built from the Genki I text. 一緒に日本語を勉強しませんか

Recorded Series: All sessions of this series are being recorded and provided afterwards to enrolled students in order to support the learning of the group.

Note: Our mini modules are special month-long group experiences designed for a small and intimate group of 2 to 4 students for the cost of 1 Token. As soon as we get enough interested students who reserve their seat, we schedule the class with the group and fly!

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！

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.

In this series we’ll study Japanese using different tools such as videos, games, and different exercises. We’ll explore different aspects of Japanese culture and work on more complex vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns. We’ll also watch lots of videos, play games, and read graded readers among other things.

Note: Japanese Through Culture is for students who already have a basic level of Japanese.

Whether you’re beginning a new language, reviving a dormant one, or diving deep into the history and structure of how languages work, this tutorial offers personalized guidance for your journey. With one-on-one support from experienced preceptors, you can build practical language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), pursue advanced grammatical or syntactic analysis, or explore historical linguistics and philology. From modern languages to ancient tongues, from Quenya to Latin, this tutorial supports projects in translation, language acquisition, comparative linguistics, and the cultural contexts that shape language use. Bring your goals—scholarly or conversational—and let your linguistic curiosity flourish.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Thom's Project Summary – Advanced German Language Practice & Cultural Exploration

Thom is pursuing an individualized language-learning path with the goal of significantly improving his proficiency in modern German, with a focus on both reading comprehension and spoken fluency. While not a beginner, Thom seeks structured accountability, regular conversation practice, and a supportive guide to help reactivate and advance his skills—particularly in navigating 20th–21st century German texts and culture.

He is hoping to work with Dr. Schendel, building on their past work together in Old English and Middle High German, and would benefit from a weekly one-hour session focused on conversation, reading, and guided discussion. Thom is looking for a preceptor who can match his pace, gently keep him on track, and offer flexibility for occasional tangents while maintaining a productive learning rhythm.

With a strong existing passion for German literature, history, and culture, Thom brings specific reading goals and materials to the table and looks forward to collaborating with his preceptor to choose suitable texts that align with their shared interests and expertise.

Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.

This module offers a series of Latin readings that review material covered in many traditional Latin I courses (including Signum's own Latin I graduate course and the first five Latin in a Year SPACE modules). Students will read selections from selected textbooks and Latin readers and attempt two short literary passages. All readings will be provided, though access to a Latin grammar book and a basic Latin dictionary may be beneficial.

Latin grammar assumed:
- Understanding of stems, endings, cases, agreement, and parts of speech
- Knowledge of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th declension endings for nouns and adjectives
- Knowledge of regular Latin verb conjugations in all indicative tenses (present, imperfect, future, perfect, pluperfect, future perfect), both active and passive, and the imperative forms
- Ability to recognize conjugations of of “sum” and “possum”
- Familiarity with ego, tu, is, hic, ille, iste, idem, qui, and reflexives
- Awareness of Latin numerals
- Acquaintance with ablatives of means, accompaniment, manner, time, agent, separation, and place from which, as well as genitive of the whole and use of genitive and ablative with cardinal numerals

Explore the craft, impact, and meaning of literature through a personalized tutorial in Literature & Storytelling. Whether you're analyzing a classic novel, developing a comparative study of myths and epics, or researching contemporary fiction, our preceptors will help you deepen your understanding of narrative, genre, theme, and interpretation. Tutorials can focus on literary analysis, theory, close reading, or creative-critical intersections. Whether you’re preparing for graduate school, crafting a paper, or simply diving deeper into your favorite texts, this tutorial invites you to read widely, think critically, and grow as a literary thinker.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Bring your skills and passions to life with a hands-on, project-based tutorial in Music, Performance & Applied Skills. Whether you're composing, performing, researching music history, developing educational workshops, or exploring connections between music and literature, your preceptor will support your creative or academic goals. These tutorials may include performance coaching, guided practice, composition feedback, or structured reflection on process and technique. This space also supports interdisciplinary learners blending music with language, culture, or storytelling. Whatever your background, this tutorial celebrates your craft and helps you grow.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

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.

Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.

This series of modules introduces you to the vocabulary and grammar of Old Norse, preparing you to read medieval sagas, eddic poetry, and even Viking-Age runic inscriptions. Each one-month module builds on the previous one, so students ready to learn Old Norse will communicate with our Director and Professor Anderson to choose the right placement for everyone.

Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.

Delve into the big questions that shape our understanding of the world—across traditions, thinkers, and texts. In a tutorial on Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, you’ll engage with classic and contemporary ideas in metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, or theology. Explore religious texts, spiritual traditions, or the interplay between philosophy and literature. Whether you're preparing for seminary or graduate study, developing an academic paper, or pursuing your own intellectual inquiry, this tutorial offers personalized guidance as you reflect, reason, and wrestle with the deepest dimensions of human thought.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Plato's Republic is arguably one of the most influential books ever written about Western political philsophy. This module offers an exploration of the Republic, examining its key themes such as Justice, the Ideal State, the Theory of Forms, and the Philosopher-King to name a few. Together, we will engage with the text's philosophical arguments and controversies while tying their relevance to contemporary society.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Session 1: Introduction to The Republic and the Greek World
	Session 2: Book I - The Debate on Justice: Socrates vs Thrasymachus
Week 2	Session 3: Books II & III - Education and the Ideal State
	Session 4: Books IV & V - Justice in the Soul and Society
Week 3	Session 5: Books VI & VII - The Philosopher-King and the Form of the Good
	Session 6: Books VIII & IX - The Mistaken Regimes and Socrates' Critique of Democracy
Week 4	Session 7:Book X - Art, Poetry, and the Myth or Er
	Session 8: Summary, Overview, and the Legacy of Plato's Republic

Hosoda Mamoru is an anime director whose films are known for their exploration of family, virtual worlds, and the relationships between wildness and domesticity. In this module, we will watch several of Hosoda's films as per the proposed outline below and we will discuss their themes, history, and literary background.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Session 1: Biography, influences, contexts, and early works
	Session 2: Summer Wars
Week 2	Session 3: The Boy and the Beast
	Session 4: The Boy and the Beast, continued
Week 3	Session 5: Mirai
	Session 6: Mirai, continued
Week 4	Session 7: Belle
	Session 8: Belle, continued

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor):

In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module!

JRR Tolkien 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. But now 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!

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor):

In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module!

JRR Tolkien 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. But now 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!

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor):

In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module!

JRR Tolkien 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. But now 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!

Embark on a personalized journey through Tolkien's legendarium with our Tutorial in Tolkien Studies, where you'll explore the depths of Middle-earth alongside expert mentors who share your passion. Whether you're delving into Tolkien’s work for the first time or building on years of scholarship, our tutorials adapt to your goals—supporting everything from foundational reading to advanced academic projects.

Work one-on-one with a preceptor to analyze the linguistic foundations of Quenya, to develop a paper on the ethical dimensions of The Silmarillion, or to prepare a presentation for Mythmoot. Possible areas of focus include language and philology, narrative theory, theology, adaptation studies, or the broader mythic and historical influences that shaped Tolkien’s work.

Through personalized guidance, thoughtful feedback, and collaborative exploration, you'll learn to apply diverse literary lenses, engage meaningfully with existing scholarship, and develop compelling arguments—perhaps even toward publication or conference presentation. These tutorials build on Signum’s long-standing commitment to Tolkien scholarship and connect you with a vibrant, global community of fellow explorers in the world of Middle-earth.

Interested in expanding your focus to the wider circle of the Inklings? Our tutorials also welcome projects on C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and related authors. If you're examining themes like friendship, mythopoeia, theology, or imaginative fiction across the Inklings’ works, we’d love to support your journey.

Simply click the blue "vote to reserve your seat" button to set aside a token here: This confirms your interest in working with a tutor/mentor and secures your spot in this tutorial. After you vote, our team will follow up by email and help you get matched to a tutor at a time that works for you.

Bridget's Project Summary: Exploring Hope through Tolkien – A Personal and Public Journey

From Brid's Interest Form Submission:

One of the earliest stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium committed to writing was the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar. As Tolkien himself acknowledged, in creating Túrin’s tale, he drew on elements of real-world legends, particularly those of Sigurd the Volsung, Oedipus, and the Finnish Kullervo. In this module, we’ll look at the interplay between these legends (in the forms that young Tolkien had likely encountered them) and Tolkien’s own creation of the tale of Túrin. The module’s objective is twofold: a semi-biographical examination of young Tolkien’s early creative processes, and familiarization with the historical sources for these legends that proved so inspirational for him.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Lecture 1: Introduction to Túrin Turambar and his legendary inspirations (reading: “Turambar and the Foalókë”).
	Discussion 1: Comments on and questions about Túrin Turambar and his legendary inspirations (reading: “Turambar and the Foalókë”).
Week 2	Lecture 2: Oedipus & Túrin (reading: excerpts Sophocles, ed. Jebb, “The Oedipus Tyrannus”).
	Discussion 2: Comments on and questions about Oedipus & Túrin (reading: excerpts Sophocles, ed. Jebb, “The Oedipus Tyrannus”).
Week 3	Lecture 3: Sigurd & Túrin (reading: excerpts from “The Story of Sigurd”, ed. Lang; excerpts from “Völsunga saga”, trans. Eiríkur Magnusson & Morris).
	Discussion 3: Sigurd & Túrin (reading: excerpts from “The Story of Sigurd”, ed. Lang; excerpts from “Völsunga saga”, trans. Eiríkur Magnusson & Morris).
Week 4	Lecture 4: Kullervo & Túrin (reading: excerpts from “Kalevala”, ed. Kirby; excerpts from Tolkien, “The Story of Kullervo”).
	Discussion 4: Kullervo & Túrin (reading: excerpts from “Kalevala”, ed. Kirby; Tolkien, “The Story of Kullervo”).

Millions of people emotionally connect with Middle Earth in ways that are unique to Tolkien’s works. All sorts of people… young and old, all walks of life, all over the globe, have reported using Tolkien’s writing as comfort in times of stress, a classroom in times of confusion, and a sanctuary in times of danger.

How many people feel this way about Middle Earth? Well, Tolkien’s stories are valued at roughly the same amount as the GDP of Iceland. That’s a lot of fans.

But Why?

Why do we love Faerie, and specifically Tolkien, with such passion. What is it about Middle Earth that elicits such a powerful emotional response?

This class will cover what those typical responses look like and then discuss the psychological mechanisms behind them. We will discuss what it is about Faerie, and Tolkien’s writing specifically, that is so successful at prompting these psychological functions.

This class is not so much about Tolkien’s work, but rather it is a study of the people, like all of us, who are impacted by his work and why we react the way we do. We will read The Professor's own theories about Faerie and then connect these ideas with various psychological studies.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Session 1: Intro to this Class + Psychology of Faerie Stories: This is a psychology class! We will talk about the literature, but mostly will focus on what happens to us when we engage with the literature. While we will read some Tolkien, most of what we will be reading are scientific studies. To begin, we will define and discuss the true definition of a faerie story? And HOW does it captivate? Introduce “positive psychology” vs. “traditional psychology” and the concept of Flow State.
	Session 2: Psychology of Faerie Stories continued
Week 2	Session 3: Developmental Psychology and Faerie How does Faerie impact the adolescent and child versus the adult. Why are teenagers & adults impacted? Talk about different stages of development specifically moral development
	Session 4: First of two parts on “Fantasy, Recovery and Escape” The first part will focus on “Fantasy” and the difference between Controlled Fantastical Thoughts and being delusional or hallucinating and Tolkien's vies on Lies Vs. Enchantment. We will also talk about Frankl’s theories of logotherapy.
Week 3	Session 5: Recovery & Escape What does Tolkien mean by “cleaning our window”? How does the concept of the “Eucatastrophe” allow people to recover from trauma and build resilience mechanisms?
	Session 6: Tolkien and Carl Jung – Symbolism, Imagination and Magic. This class will be based on the lectures given by Dr. Lance S. Owens on the similarities between Carl Jung’s imaginative experiences writing his “Red Book” and Tolkien’s writing
Week 4	Session 7: Thinking Strategically (non-linear) vs. linear thinking (cognitive psychology and adult learning) How does Fantasy open up non-linear thinking and learning? Plus, how do Tolkien’s stories allow for safe places to think without bias and repressive tolerance. We will introduce various cognitive psychology theories such as Frederickson's Broaden and Build Theory and Mezirow's theories on adult learning.
	Session 8: Spirituality & Evangelium. The religion of LoTR. SBIMI – SHALL PROVE BUT MINE INSTRUMENT! Faith and Finding grace in LoTR and how that type of spirituality contributes to happiness and well-being.