Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.
February 2026 Modules
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            A Pilgrim’s Journey through Narnia:
Part 1: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
            
          
          
  
          
     Spotlight
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
              
                As soon as we obtain enough interest in this class we will be in touch to work out a meeting time that works for the group.
                Thank you for keeping your Blackberry availability up to date!
              
            
          
          
            
  
  Step into the wardrobe and journey through Narnia with scholar and storyteller Brenton Dickieson, author of the acclaimed A Pilgrim in Narnia blog. In this relaxed, discussion-rich module, we’ll read and reflect on The Chronicles of Narnia together—exploring their literary depth, spiritual resonance, and lasting cultural impact. In this first course in the Narnia series, we'll follow Lucy through the wardrobe by reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Whether this is your first visit to Narnia or your fiftieth, join Brenton as we walk with wonder, ask thoughtful questions, and rediscover why these beloved stories still speak so powerfully today.
          
          
  
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          Dr. 
          Brenton Dickieson
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            A Sip of Tea and Tea Culture
            
          
          
  
          
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
            Meeting Mondays & Wednesdays at 8:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on February 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25
          
          
            
  
  In this module we will explore the cultural history of tea production, tea consumption, and tea-related cultural forms and practices. Primary focus will be on Asia, with side-expeditions to other parts of the world.  White, green, Oolong, red (black), the Silk Road, tea bricks, tea ceremonies, tea-and-Zen, tea as world commodity, tea as entheogen---we can explore all of this and more!
          
          
  
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          Dr. 
          Robert Steed
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Creative Writing: Making the Scene
(Year of the Novel)
            
          
          
  Cluster
          
     Spotlight
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
            Meeting Mondays & Thursdays at 8:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on February 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26
          
          
            
  
  When you think about your favorite stories, chances are you conjure the memory of a scene: the charge of the Rohirrim at the coming of the new dawn, Luke turning off his targeting computer as he flies down the trench, or when Ged finally acknowledges the identity of the shadow being that has followed him literally to the land of the dead.  Stories are built out of scenes, and scenes like the ones above make stories memorable.  
In this class, we'll look at how to build scenes that accomplish specific things, according to the needs of the author and the story. We'll practice achieving specific goals, advancing the plot, expanding a characterization, even providing an opportunity fo exposition. We'll do this through assigned exercises, andby looking at how to apply these skills to the students' own stories.
We'll read each other's scenes and use our Collaborative Feedback method to help one another to sharpen our work. We'll be writers together helping each other's stories thrive.
          
  In this class, we'll look at how to build scenes that accomplish specific things, according to the needs of the author and the story. We'll practice achieving specific goals, advancing the plot, expanding a characterization, even providing an opportunity fo exposition. We'll do this through assigned exercises, andby looking at how to apply these skills to the students' own stories.
We'll read each other's scenes and use our Collaborative Feedback method to help one another to sharpen our work. We'll be writers together helping each other's stories thrive.
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          
          Christopher Bartlett
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Embodied Speaking: 
Comfort, Dynamism & Connection for Any Talk
            
          
          
  
          
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
              
                As soon as we obtain enough interest in this class we will be in touch to work out a meeting time that works for the group.
                Thank you for keeping your Blackberry availability up to date!
              
            
          
          
            
  
  When a speaker feels grounded in their body, alive in their voice, and truly attentive to listeners, the whole room leans in. This participatory module helps you build those qualities through physical and embodied practice. Each session blends discussion, guided instruction, and hands-on exercises in movement, breath, and vocal exploration, so you learn how to inhabit what you want to say with greater ease and authenticity.
You’ll cultivate comfort, dynamics, and empathy for audience-centered speaking, discovering how breath, posture, rhythm, and voice can make your ideas resonate. From the spine of this module—purpose, passion, perspective—you’ll come to anchor yourself in what matters and sustain your listeners’ attention without strain.
This module is for anyone who speaks to groups online or in person—teachers, lecturers, scholars, writers, actors, facilitators, students, or community presenters. All you need is a familiar excerpt of your content, curiosity to investigate your presence, and a commitment to practice. By month’s end, you’ll leave with a reliable and grounding process you can use for any presentation, reading, or speaking engagement.
          
  You’ll cultivate comfort, dynamics, and empathy for audience-centered speaking, discovering how breath, posture, rhythm, and voice can make your ideas resonate. From the spine of this module—purpose, passion, perspective—you’ll come to anchor yourself in what matters and sustain your listeners’ attention without strain.
This module is for anyone who speaks to groups online or in person—teachers, lecturers, scholars, writers, actors, facilitators, students, or community presenters. All you need is a familiar excerpt of your content, curiosity to investigate your presence, and a commitment to practice. By month’s end, you’ll leave with a reliable and grounding process you can use for any presentation, reading, or speaking engagement.
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          
          Sarah Anne Stinnett
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Exploring Tolkien's Letter to Milton Waldman
            
          
          
  
          
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
            Meeting Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on February 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
          
          
            
  
  So, we’ve had a FIRST Tolkien’s Letters SPACE course – but what about SECOND Tolkien’s Letters SPACE course? And this time, we just focus on ONE letter?
In 2023, we were presented with a Revised and Expanded edition of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, which gave us the opportunity for an even deeper dive into the life, the works, and the wonderful procrastinations of a much-loved author. Already a fan and scholar favourite, Letter 131 to Milton Waldman of Collins Publishers is now published in full and is one of the longest of the letters at around ten thousand words. The letter now also includes an attachment at the end, which is a list of individual tales with short descriptions, some of which were proposed by Tolkien for publication.
Designed to persuade Waldman to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, Letter 131 provides remarkable insight into Tolkien’s mythology, and his belief in the interdependence of these two works. In this course, we will read through this letter in great detail, making the connections between the letter and the texts, and immersing ourselves in wonder that is Tolkien’s subcreated world.
          
  In 2023, we were presented with a Revised and Expanded edition of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, which gave us the opportunity for an even deeper dive into the life, the works, and the wonderful procrastinations of a much-loved author. Already a fan and scholar favourite, Letter 131 to Milton Waldman of Collins Publishers is now published in full and is one of the longest of the letters at around ten thousand words. The letter now also includes an attachment at the end, which is a list of individual tales with short descriptions, some of which were proposed by Tolkien for publication.
Designed to persuade Waldman to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, Letter 131 provides remarkable insight into Tolkien’s mythology, and his belief in the interdependence of these two works. In this course, we will read through this letter in great detail, making the connections between the letter and the texts, and immersing ourselves in wonder that is Tolkien’s subcreated world.
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          Dr. 
          Sara Brown
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Japanese for Beginners 1
            
          
          
   
    
      
        First in the Series
      
    
  
          
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
              
                As soon as we obtain enough interest in this class we will be in touch to work out a meeting time that works for the group.
                Thank you for keeping your Blackberry availability up to date!
              
            
          
          
            
  
  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
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Old Norse 1
            
          
          
   
    
      
        First in the Series
      
    
  
          
     Spotlight
    
         Candidate
    
          
          
        
        
          
            
              
                As soon as we obtain enough interest in this class we will be in touch to work out a meeting time that works for the group.
                Thank you for keeping your Blackberry availability up to date!
              
            
          
          
            
  
  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.
          
          
  
    
      Precepted by
      
        
        
          Dr. 
          Carl Edlund Anderson
        
      
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      
          
            Rebellions Are Built On Hope:
Andor, Season 1
            
          
          
   
    
    
  
          
     Spotlight
     Confirmed
           Hybrid
          
        
        
          
            
            Pre-recorded lectures will be supplemented by live meetings on Thursdays at 7:00 PM Eastern for four 1-hour sessions on February 5, 12, 19, 26
          
          
            
  
  Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.
          
          
  
    
    Precepted by
    
      
      
        Dr. 
        Amy H. Sturgis
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
          
          
        
      