Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.
December 2025 Modules
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Biblical Foundations: Genesis 1-11
Spotlight
Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, (skip 25), 30
(Note: All class sessions will be live recorded and will be shared with enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class.)
The premise for this course is that the Primeval History (i.e. Genesis 1-11) provides the key conceptual roadmap for how to understand the rest of the biblical narrative (especially the OT, but pertaining to the NT as well). Once the reader begins to see these connections, an entire world is opened up, because subsequent biblical authors continue to build on the foundational elements introduced in the early chapters of Genesis.
This course is designed for a reader to learn how to see these elements for themselves so that the student can continue to explore them in the future in the rest of the biblical literature and in literature outside the Bible as well. This course would deal with topics pertinent specifically to Genesis 1-11. For example: is Genesis 1-11 properly classified as "history," or "myth," or something else? And on the spectrum of literal versus non-literal interpretation of texts, what should be applied? Are there any textual indicators for these things, and if so, how do we recognize them?
The premise for this course is that the Primeval History (i.e. Genesis 1-11) provides the key conceptual roadmap for how to understand the rest of the biblical narrative (especially the OT, but pertaining to the NT as well). Once the reader begins to see these connections, an entire world is opened up, because subsequent biblical authors continue to build on the foundational elements introduced in the early chapters of Genesis.
This course is designed for a reader to learn how to see these elements for themselves so that the student can continue to explore them in the future in the rest of the biblical literature and in literature outside the Bible as well. This course would deal with topics pertinent specifically to Genesis 1-11. For example: is Genesis 1-11 properly classified as "history," or "myth," or something else? And on the spectrum of literal versus non-literal interpretation of texts, what should be applied? Are there any textual indicators for these things, and if so, how do we recognize them?
Precepted by
Dr.
Joel D. Ruark
[Claim Your Spot!]:
Reserve Your Spot in the Signum Tutorials Program
[ST]
Candidate
Signum Tutorials is a personalized academic mentorship program offering one-on-one support with Signum University preceptors. Whether you’re pursuing a creative project, deepening your academic skills, or exploring a specialized topic, Tutorials provide flexible, month-to-month engagement tailored to your goals.
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 the program. After you vote, our team will follow up by email to help you with next steps, whether you're ready to jump into a specific tutorial or whether you'd like to first do an orientation session to begin crafting your individualized learning path.
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 the program. After you vote, our team will follow up by email to help you with next steps, whether you're ready to jump into a specific tutorial or whether you'd like to first do an orientation session to begin crafting your individualized learning path.
Precepted by
Signum Tutorials Faculty Member
Creative Writing: Workshop
Spotlight
Meeting Mondays & Thursdays at 9:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on December 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, (skip 25), 29
We will meet to blend learning, discussion, and playing games with reading, appreciating, and commenting on one another’s work as it is submitted for peer review. Writers are encouraged—but never required—to submit new pieces in any state of draftiness or readiness up to 2,000 words each week for peer reading and feedback. Our Collaborative Feedback method, developed here at Signum University, asks us to comment at the author's comfort level through a structured reader (not editor) response. We gather to encourage the story that the author wants to tell. Our philosophy of kindness first might just turn around your previous experience of writing groups.
Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here.
Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here.
Precepted by
Sparrow F. Alden
Creative Writing & Worldbuilding Tutorials
[ST]
(Section 1)
Orienteering Wednesday, December 17 at 14
Summary of David's Tutorial Project from Interest Form Submission:
"I have been working off and on for decades on a cycle of stories and background essays chronicling 200 years of the history and current life of an imaginary country situated in our real world that has (without any special magical, supernatural or alien intervention/guidance) balanced freedom, rough equality, courtesy, mutual support, creativity, non-militaristic, environmentally sustainable and other good things. Call it Utopian Alternative History.
Some utopian fiction can be boring: essentially a tour of the "perfect" (I prefer "better," nothing human is ever perfect) and why the way we do X, Y, and Z is better than how you do it.
Better are stories that focus on how this society came to be the way it is, stories of daily life in this setting - no matter how much better a political/economic system may be, people are people and there still will be caner, alcoholism, adultery, petty and not so petty theft etc. - and challenges from external powers.
I have worked out the 200 most recent years in some detail (also earlier times but those periods are not fixed) and have several story fragments set at interesting points in that history. I have a BA in History focusing on comparative modernization, esp. 19th century Russia vs. Japan so I think the history I have worked out is plausible.
But I am 74 now and need to pull all this together into some presentable (and hopefully publishable) form but need guidance in doing so.
Currently I have purchased 4 tokens and hoping to "cash them in" in January but I figure the mentorship will continue for some time. I am "retired" but am active in 4 networks (the Signum creative writing community is one of these, the others are spiritual, community service and political -I'm not particularly happy with what is going on in my country). I do odd jobs to supplement Social Security and may have to move sometime next Spring."
Precepted by
Sparrow F. Alden
(Section 1)
The Bovadium Fragments:
Tolkien and Satire
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 9:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, (skip 24), 29
Tolkien had an incisive sense of humor, and it comes through remarkably well in stories like The Hobbit and Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien also occasionally put his humor to pointed satirical uses, and perhaps the most serious of these satires is the forthcoming Bovadium Fragments being published in November (in the US). Join us in the lead-up to Christmas as we read through one of the most curious and tongue-in-cheek stories Tolkien ever wrote.
Precepted by
Patrick Lyon
The Hunger Games Book Club
(Book 4: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
Hybrid
Pre-recorded lectures will be supplemented by live meetings Thursdays and one Monday at 9:00 AM Eastern for four 60-minute sessions on December 4, 11, 18, Monday the 29th.
This module explores the fourth book in the series: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020).
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:
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)
Precepted by
Dr.
Amy H. Sturgis
(Lecturer)
Japanese Through Lyrics
Meeting Saturdays at 7:00 PM Eastern for four 2-hour sessions on December 6, 13, 20, 27
The goal of this course is to study Japanese by analyzing song lyrics. While there will be an initial list of songs, students will be invited to either choose or vote on songs they would like to analyze (depending on number of students), and then we will spend each class studying the vocabulary and grammar contained in those songs.
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.
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.
Precepted by
Sam Roche
J.R.R. Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas
Meeting Tuesdays & Fridays at 9:00 PM Eastern for six 1-hour sessions and two 90-minute sessions on December 2, 5, 9, 12 for 90 minutes, 16, 19 for 90 minutes, 23
Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club setting and discuss the joy of Tolkien’s beloved Christmas tale.
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.
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.
Precepted by
Elise Trudel
Old English 4
Continuing Series
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 10:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, (skip 24), 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.
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.
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.
Precepted by
Dr.
Isaac Schendel
Other (Interdisciplinary or Unique Projects)
[ST]
Candidate
Have a project or tutorial desire that doesn’t fit into a traditional category? We’d still love to hear from you!
At Signum Tutorials, we recognize that great ideas often live at the edges of categories—and that it is sometimes necessary to invent new ones altogether. Whether your interests are highly interdisciplinary, unconventional, or simply hard to describe, this is your space to tell us more.
Simply add this "tutorial" to your wish list, submit your idea on our Student Interest Form, or email us at [email protected]. We’ll evaluate whether we can match you with a preceptor who can guide and support your journey. We love working with creative, curious learners—and we’re always open to projects we haven’t yet imagined.
Let’s explore new paths together.
At Signum Tutorials, we recognize that great ideas often live at the edges of categories—and that it is sometimes necessary to invent new ones altogether. Whether your interests are highly interdisciplinary, unconventional, or simply hard to describe, this is your space to tell us more.
Simply add this "tutorial" to your wish list, submit your idea on our Student Interest Form, or email us at [email protected]. We’ll evaluate whether we can match you with a preceptor who can guide and support your journey. We love working with creative, curious learners—and we’re always open to projects we haven’t yet imagined.
Let’s explore new paths together.
Precepted by
Signum Tutorials Faculty Member
Other (Interdisciplinary or Unique Projects)
[ST]
(Section 1)
Meeting Monday, December 1 and Thursday, December 11 at 10:00 PM Eastern time for two one-hour sessions.
Project Summary from Abram's Interest Form Submission:
"I'm a recent University of London masters graduate of entrepreneurship (emphasis in theater and performance) and current PhD student in Education - Research. I'm a long-time listener of Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings podcast, having listened asynchronously for over six years. During this time I've celebrated Signum attaining its MA accreditation and it has inspired my dreams.
I would like to start a small cohort university in Utah, where I now live. Each graduating class consisting of around 8-12 students per year. Featuring a single MFA program for Theatrical Craftsmanship, with four emphases;
I intend to open a theater and cinema venue which would incorporate its full-time staff as educators, administrators, and performers. I would like for the students to be active participants in the live productions produced at this venue. This models the more traditional apprenticeship structure of the craft. Their tuition would be an exchange, participation in productions for educational achievment.
I would love some big picture advice and insight regarding Signum's journey toward accreditation. And, I'm wondering whether my continued time and money would be best spent attaining an Education PhD (so that my academic achievement can validate the existence of such a university), or whether I should get moving on the logistics for opening the venue. Do I need to be a PhD to open this university aspect of my future business?
For obvious reasons, all my current professors are recommending I stay in school. If I leave, they don't make money off of my attendance. This is why I think a one-on-one tutorial with anyone at Signum (administrative or academic) would be an impartial and "feet on the ground" kind of perspective. "
I would like to start a small cohort university in Utah, where I now live. Each graduating class consisting of around 8-12 students per year. Featuring a single MFA program for Theatrical Craftsmanship, with four emphases;
- Dramaturgy,
- Direction and Education,
- Management and Administration, and
- Technical Innovation
I intend to open a theater and cinema venue which would incorporate its full-time staff as educators, administrators, and performers. I would like for the students to be active participants in the live productions produced at this venue. This models the more traditional apprenticeship structure of the craft. Their tuition would be an exchange, participation in productions for educational achievment.
I would love some big picture advice and insight regarding Signum's journey toward accreditation. And, I'm wondering whether my continued time and money would be best spent attaining an Education PhD (so that my academic achievement can validate the existence of such a university), or whether I should get moving on the logistics for opening the venue. Do I need to be a PhD to open this university aspect of my future business?
For obvious reasons, all my current professors are recommending I stay in school. If I leave, they don't make money off of my attendance. This is why I think a one-on-one tutorial with anyone at Signum (administrative or academic) would be an impartial and "feet on the ground" kind of perspective. "
Precepted by
Dr.
Corey Olsen
(Section 1)
Other (Interdisciplinary or Unique Projects)
[ST]
(Section 3)
With Dr. Anderson: Tuesday, January 27 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Project Summary from Camila's Interest Form Submission:
"I am seeking one-on-one guidance for my children’s/YA fantasy series, which is written in a mythopoeic, language-rooted style shaped by a Christian patristic ethos. The project includes invented languages (core and high forms), runic systems, a symbolic cosmology, and a narrative structure inspired by classical and medieval literature.
I would like to work with a preceptor who can help me refine the mythic architecture, the linguistic coherence, and the classical worldview logic of the story while preserving its elevated tone. I am especially hoping to deepen the philological, medieval, and mythopoeic foundations of the work.
My goal is to develop the novel with scholarly rigor and literary clarity, with guidance from someone who understands the traditions underlying Tolkien, Lewis, and medieval Christian imagination. A one-on-one tutorial seems like the perfect setting to explore this in a structured, academically grounded way.
Planning
First, I intend to work toward the Tier 3 level of Tutorials (8 private session hours per month), as it seems the best structure for deep development, mentorship, and advanced study. However, before committing to the full tier, I would like to begin with one initial 4-hour session to ensure that the program is the right fit for my project’s needs."
Expertise
Preceptors who have a background as medievalists/philologists would especially align with the needs of Camila's project. She is seeking someone who can guide both the literary artistry and the underlying linguistic/metaphysical architecture.
I would like to work with a preceptor who can help me refine the mythic architecture, the linguistic coherence, and the classical worldview logic of the story while preserving its elevated tone. I am especially hoping to deepen the philological, medieval, and mythopoeic foundations of the work.
My goal is to develop the novel with scholarly rigor and literary clarity, with guidance from someone who understands the traditions underlying Tolkien, Lewis, and medieval Christian imagination. A one-on-one tutorial seems like the perfect setting to explore this in a structured, academically grounded way.
Planning
First, I intend to work toward the Tier 3 level of Tutorials (8 private session hours per month), as it seems the best structure for deep development, mentorship, and advanced study. However, before committing to the full tier, I would like to begin with one initial 4-hour session to ensure that the program is the right fit for my project’s needs."
Expertise
Preceptors who have a background as medievalists/philologists would especially align with the needs of Camila's project. She is seeking someone who can guide both the literary artistry and the underlying linguistic/metaphysical architecture.
Precepted by
Signum Tutorials Faculty Member
(Section 3)
Readings in Middle High German
Meeting Fridays at 7:00 PM Eastern for four 2-hour sessions on December 5, 12, 19, 26
This series will help introduce students to the breadth and depth of texts available for study in Middle High German. Each month, Dr. Isaac Schendel surveys the group to see which text students are most interested in exploring next.
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.
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.
Precepted by
Dr.
Isaac Schendel
The Dark is Rising Sequence:
Silver on the Tree
Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 11:00 AM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 30
Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions.
In this book, the fifth and final of the series, we return to Wales where Will Stanton, the Drew children, and the mysterious Bran must find the Lady who will enable them to complete their quest. All the Arthurian elements that have been evident in the previous four books now come together as the Six of the Light battle back the Dark to save the world. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century.
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‘Until the Lady comes,’ Merriman said. ‘And she will help you to the finding of the sword of the Pendragon, the crystal sword by which the final magic of the light shall be achieved, and the Dark put at last to flight. And there will be five to help you, for from the beginning it was known that six altogether, and six only, must accomplish this long matter. Six creatures more and less of the earth, aided by the six Signs.’
In this book, the fifth and final of the series, we return to Wales where Will Stanton, the Drew children, and the mysterious Bran must find the Lady who will enable them to complete their quest. All the Arthurian elements that have been evident in the previous four books now come together as the Six of the Light battle back the Dark to save the world. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century.
Precepted by
Dr.
Sara Brown
and
Dr.
Maggie Parke
The Inklings:
Lewis, Tolkien, Barfield, and Williams
Spotlight
Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 2:00 PM Eastern for five 1-hour sessions on December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, and two 90-minute sessions December 17, 22.
What did the creators of Middle-earth, Narnia, a philosophy of consciousness, and spiritual shockers have in common? Answer: they were all part of a group called The Inklings who met in Oxford between the 1930s and 60s to discuss their ideas and work.
We will spend a week on each of the four main members of The Inklings, discussing samples of their work and the ways their imaginations and ideas overlapped. By the end of the course, we will understand how this group of writers influenced each other and helped create the genre of fantasy literature.
We will spend a week on each of the four main members of The Inklings, discussing samples of their work and the ways their imaginations and ideas overlapped. By the end of the course, we will understand how this group of writers influenced each other and helped create the genre of fantasy literature.
Precepted by
Dr.
Gabriel Schenk