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In this module we'll be exploring a few legendary Icelandic þættir, a distinct narrative form within Old Norse literature characterised by brevity, punch, and thematic sharpness. Although often overlooked in favor of longer sagas, þættir offer rich insight into medieval Iceland, social codes, and the politics of storytelling. Their settings range from the farms of Iceland to the courts of Norwegian kings, and their protagonists include farmers, outlaws, poets, and tricksters, with lots of supernatural bits to enjoy!

This module considers their functions as entertainment, moral illustration, historical anecdote, their stylistic features like concision, irony, and sharp characterisation, as well as their ability to recycle ancient myths in new lights and shadows. Not to forget, they are simply fun to read!

Course Outline:

Week One
• The "Story of Norna-Gest"

Week Two
• The "Story of Sörli" or the "Saga of Hedinn and Högni"
Week Three
• The "Story of Thorsteinn Mansion-Might"
Week Four
• "The Story of Völsi"

Come explore Ursula K. Le Guin's final fantasy worldbuilding creation, the acclaimed YA fantasy series: Annals of the Western Shore, consisting of three loosely-connected novels: Gifts (2004), Voices (2006), and Powers (2007). Less well-known than her Earthsea or Hanish novels, this acclaimed series focuses on teenagers in the enigmatic "Western Shore" countries who much come to terms with mysterious powers that begin manifesting in puberty. Each week you'll connect with other readers and share your insights. This series is perfect for examining Le Guin's world-building techniques, or for anyone looking for a book club where you can share your thoughts and make some friends.

(Warning: These novels deal with serious issues. Gifts contains brief scenes of maiming. Powers is a first-person account of enslavement and includes a discussion of rape. All three books deal with war.)

Series Outline:

• Module 1: Gifts

• Module 2: Voices

• Module 3: Powers (part 1)

• Module 4: Powers (part 2)

This course offers a deep analysis of Tolkien’s seminal essay “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics,” which truly changed the course of scholarship on the most important text in Tolkien’s Cauldron of Story. The essay began as Tolkien’s 1936 Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture to the British Academy and was published that year. Thanks to “Beowulf and the Critics” (2002) published by Michael D.C. Drout we have a wonderful edition of the early drafts. Tolkien’s essay brings to the fore the powerful achievement of the Beowulf poet in crafting an expression of celebration and defiance, of heroism and death. In this fun SPACE course, we will explore Tolkien’s attitudes and assumptions on the poem in greater detail. Students will gain a greater appreciation for the essay and for Tolkien’s legendarium.

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

This module is a continuation of the Biblical module series 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.

This module is a continuation of the Biblical module series 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.

Building upon our exploration of Garner's foundational fantasy The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, this follow-up course delves into its darker, more complex sequel, The Moon of Gomrath. Where our first course examined Garner's introduction to the magical world of Alderley Edge, this second instalment investigates his evolution as a writer through a narrative that Philip Pullman noted "presents a less conventional fantasy on every level." We'll analyse how Garner introduces the dichotomy between "High Magic" (controlled, patriarchal, rational) and "Old Magic" (wild, feminine, emotional), exploring how this tension manifests through Susan's profound connection to ancient Celtic forces and Colin's desperate attempts to save her. The course will particularly focus on Garner's emerging literary voice—more direct, stripped-down language and a less linear plot structure that would come to define his later work.

Our discussions will examine how The Moon of Gomrath subverts traditional fantasy conventions through its abrupt, ambiguous ending and its refusal to provide neat resolutions. We'll explore Garner's masterful evocation of "both the wonder and terror of the mythical forces that hide behind the mundane surface of the world," and how the book rewards readers on multiple levels—offering adventure for younger audiences while presenting complex philosophical themes for adults. The course will conclude by considering how this sequel, with its "deeply melancholic and powerful story," marked Garner's transition toward more challenging literary territory, establishing themes he would explore throughout his distinguished career. Join us as we continue our journey through Garner's mythic landscape, where ancient magic awakens in modern England with consequences both thrilling and profound.

Dive into the enchanting world of Alan Garner's The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, a foundational work of British fantasy by an author described by Philip Pullman as "the most important British writer of fantasy since Tolkien." This course examines Garner's masterful integration of ancient British folklore with the real landscape of Alderley Edge in Cheshire, where two children—Colin and Susan—become the unexpected guardians of a magical jewel coveted by dark forces. Through close reading, we'll explore how Garner uses the tension between the mundane and magical to create a narrative where real English places become imbued with mythic significance, transforming ordinary landscapes into sites of extraordinary adventure and ancient power.

Our discussions will uncover the deeper themes that make this work resonate with readers of all ages: the timeless battle between good and evil, the power of friendship against overwhelming odds, and the profound connection between humans and their landscapes. We'll examine how Garner's unique approach to "re-enchanting modern life by presenting it as a thin skin concealing ancient folklore" not only created a beloved children's classic but established a distinctive voice in fantasy literature that continues to influence writers today. Join us for a fantastical journey that reveals how this seemingly simple adventure story operates as a complex parable about place, identity, and the persistence of magic in the modern world.

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.

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.

Over the course of several months, this cozy book club for adults will read and discuss some of the major novels of Peter S. Beagle, a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master, and the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Mythopoeic and World Fantasy Life Achievement Award winner. We'll explore his many worlds, including the beloved forests of The Last Unicorn, the magical world of The Innkeeper's Song, and fantastic versions of our own world where goddesses, ghosts and dragons walk among us.

Each week you'll connect with other readers and share your insights. This series is perfect for examining Beagle's world-building techniques, or for anyone looking for a cozy book club where you can read old favorites and discover new ones.

(Warning: Participants of Modules 3 & 4 must be at least 18 due to brief depictions of nudity and sex.)

Series Outline:

• Module 1: A Fine & Private Place (1960)

• Module 2: The Last Unicorn (1968)

• Module 3: The Innkeeper's Song (1993)

• Module 4: Summerlong (2016)

• Module 5: I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons (2024)

(... more modules may be offered by request.)

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 for Module 1: Biblical Hebrew 1:

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

Follow Alexander’s epic journey from a young Macedonian prince to history’s most legendary conqueror, examining his battles, ambitions, and the empire that reshaped the ancient world."

This dynamic eight-session course brings to life the extraordinary story of Alexander the Great, the brilliant, ruthless, and visionary conqueror who forged an empire spanning three continents. Through lively lectures and vivid visuals (maps, artifacts, and battle simulations), combined with thought-provoking discussions, we’ll explore his meteoric rise from prince to global icon. By the end, you’ll understand why Alexander’s name still echoes 2,300 years after his death.

Course Outline:

Week One
• Session 1: Introduction & Macedonia Before Alexander
• Session 2: The Beginning of Alexander’s Reign
Week Two
• Session 3: The Invasion of Persia
• Session 4: Key Battles – Issus & Gaugamela
Week Three
• Session 5: Egypt & the Oracle at Siwa
• Session 6: The Heart of Persia & the Death of Darius
Week Four
• Session 7: The Indian Campaign & Mutiny
• Session 7: Death & Legacy of Alexander the Great

This course explores Aeschylus and his Oresteia trilogy of plays in depth, examining its themes, dramatic techniques, and historical context, while also introducing SPACE students to the origins and performance practices of Ancient Greek tragedy.

This eight-session course offers an engaging exploration of Aeschylus’ Oresteia—the groundbreaking trilogy that reshaped Ancient Greek tragedy. Through dynamic discussions, close readings, and visual aids, we’ll unpack Aeschylus' plays (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides) examining their brutal conflicts, moral dilemmas, and ultimate vision of justice. Along the way, we’ll investigate Greek tragedy’s origins, Aeschylus’ revolutionary innovations, and how these ancient dramas still resonate today. No prior knowledge or homework required—just a willingness to debate fate, fury, and the first courtroom drama in Western literature!

Course Outline:

Week One
• Session 1: The Origins of Greek Tragedy
• Session 2: Performance and Dramatic Techniques in Greek Tragedy
Week Two
• Session 3: Aeschylus, the Father of Tragedy
• Session 4: Agamemnon – Blood, Betrayal, and the House of Atreus
Week Three
• Session 5: The Libation Bearers – The Cycle of Revenge
• Session 6: The Eumenides – Blood Feuds to Civic Justice
Week Four
• Session 7: The Oresteia as a Unified Trilogy
• Session 7: Greek Tragedy’s Influence and Modern Adaptations

In this module, I will take you on a tour of some of the most important philosophical movements in the Greco-Roman world. After an introductory class (where we will talk about our approach and where I will give an overview of our module), the first few lessons will be based on the so-called pre-Socratic philosophers (6th to early 5th century BCE), with a special focus on Heraclitus.

These archaic/early Greek philosophers did not necessarily establish coherent systems of philosophy and often focused only on fysis (physics), trying to understand if there was a unifying principle to our physical world and if everything is composed of many parts or is ‘one’ (among other topics). Apart from physics, they also provide us with some of the earliest discussions of logic (especially, Parmenides), although they are far more creative than later philosophers in their use of different kinds of reasoning (for example, metaphorical reasoning). Subsequently, we will move to the two greatest philosophers of the classical period: Plato and Aristotle. Each of these two demands an entire course devoted to discussing their philosophy, and I have instead selected sub-topics within which they have been greatly influential in the Western philosophical tradition: for Plato, we will discuss his political philosophy, namely, his conception of an idea state. for Aristotle, we will discuss the principles he establishes for ‘good artwork’, specifically, tragedy. In the final three lessons, we will turn to three important post-Socratic or Hellenistic schools of philosophy (mid-fourth century BCE to late antiquity in some cases): Cynicism, Stoicism, and Epicureanism.

Our focus here will primarily be on ethics (on the proper virtues which each school recommends); at the same time, the ethical assumptions of each of these schools need to be understood within their particular view of the physical world. Throughout the lessons, I will provide students with close readings, key passages which we will analyze, composed of important fragments from the selected philosophers. These readings will serve as discussion points after my brief introductions to the given writer/philosophical movement.

Course Outline:

Week One
• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy: Overview and Methods
• The Pre-Socratic Philosophers: Pythagoras, Parmenides, Democritus, and Empedocles
Week Two
• Heraclitus: Movement, Harmony, and Oppositions in nature
• Plato and Utopianism: A Close Reading of the Critias and Republic
Week Three
• Aristotle and Aesthetics: The Principles of Writing Tragedy
• The Virtues of Cynicism: Self-Independence, Free Speech, and Endurance
Week Four
• The Virtues of Stoicism: Practical Reason, Justice, Temperance, and Courage
• Epicureanism: A Close Reading of Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus

This sixth-month programme consists of six individual learning modules. Each module will consist of eight lessons spread over four weeks. The focus of these modules is three-fold: 1) to introduce you in a relaxed way to the essential grammar of the Latin language (from the basics of noun declensions to the subjunctive uses of verbs); 2) to build your Latin vocabulary (to something around 2,000 words at the end of the six modules); and 3) to learn to enjoy reading basic Latin texts. The last of these is most important. Grammar is not an end in itself but helps us understand texts in a more accurate manner and to become more fluent. The grammar which you will learn roughly follows the order prescribed by Shelmerdine’s Introduction to Latin, which will serve as textbook throughout the modules. In addition to the translation and grammar exercises she provides, I will provide you with tailored ‘modernised’ Latin passages, including passages from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and other literary and historical works. In a given week, the basic idea is for the first lesson to be more instructional, focused on explaining key grammatical constructions, while the second lesson will take the form of a workshop, where we will translate passages together, and where I can help answer questions from homework assignments.

The path to language proficiency lies in making many mistakes (and not being ashamed of these) and in extensive daily practice.

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

The Secret History, the 1992 debut novel of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt, has its own secret history, including an origin story at an actual college campus and inspiration from a real-life missing person case. The celebrated novel opens with the murder of a Classics student by his eccentric and close-knit group of college friends. The tale then unfolds as an inverted mystery, a “whydunit” rather than a “whodunit,” a narrative that interrogates the nature of obsession, beauty, and education.

Featuring ingredients of the campus novel, the coming-of-age story, and the New England Gothic, The Secret History has long been hailed as a modern classic, and now it’s been rediscovered by a new generation of readers who consider it a foundational text of Dark Academia storytelling. Why does this mystery have such staying power? How does it serve as a turning point in genre history? And how do its haunting themes relate to us and our search for knowledge today? In this module we will explore the fictional Hampden College and peel back the literary layers of The Secret History.

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

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Lecture 1: The Secret History as Memory
	Discussion 1: Part 1 of The Secret History
Week 2	Lecture 2:The Secret History as Mystery
	Discussion 2 Part 2 of The Secret History
Week 3	Lecture 3: The Secret History as Tragedy
	Discussion 3: Part 3 of The Secret History
Week 4	Lecture 4:The Secret History as Influence
	Discussion 4 Themes and Takeaways