Signum University — Blackberry

A History of the Vikings Non-Sequential Series

From TV shows to computer games, the Vikings still manage to capture our imagination and ensnare us in an odd mix of fact and fiction. But who were they really? This new series takes a deep dive into this complex world of the early medieval Northmen, blending a wide variety of sources and the newes…

Precepted by Dr. Irina Manea

Alexander the Great: Empire, Genius, and Myth

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 …

Precepted by Adam Beaton

An Intensive Reading of the Tao Te Ching/Daode jing 道德經 Part II

We will continue onwards with our intensive reading and discussion of the text from wherever we end in "An Intensive Reading of the Tao Te Ching/Daode jing 道德經".

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

An Introduction to Hinduism

In this module we will cover various religious traditions generally covered by the umbrella term "Hinduism." We will start with an overview of some of the methodological challenges faced when studying these traditions, and then turn our attention to some of the major streams of Hindu history and p…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

An Introduction to Islam

In this module we will cover the basics of Islamic Religious tradition, thought, and practice. A basic biography of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), the development of the early Islamic movement (the Ummah), division into the Sunni and Shi'ite forms of Islam, Islamic cosmology, the Four Orthodox schoo…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

An Introduction to Sacramental Christianity

In this module we will explore the sacramental worldview and practices of Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, with maybe a bit of Anglicanism thrown into the mix. We will cover what a sacramental worldview consists of, what the sacraments themselves are, what sacramentals are and how their use is j…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Art History – A Thousand Stories Non-Sequential Series

Whenever we see a painting or a sculpture we might think many different things; we might wonder why we like or dislike it; what is its meaning; and why the artist created it in that way. In this series we will explore different art periods, movements, and artists. We will discuss the context, s…

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Art History – A Thousand Stories: Dutch Golden Age

In this particilar module of the series Art History - A Thousand Stories , we will study and discuss Dutch Golden Age of painting. We will talk about the different art genres that emerged such as still life, landscapes and genre painting. We'll also pay special attention to Rembrandt Van Rij…

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Art History – A Thousand Stories: Italian Renaissance

In this particilar module of the series Art History - A Thousand Stories , we will talk and discuss Italian Renaissance. We will overview the context focusing on the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Sanzio, and Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Beyond Mythology: Ritual and Performance in Old Norse Religion

While medieval literary texts offer a weath of information about Norse mythology, pre-Christian religious behaviour is very difficult to trace back from these sources alone. We generally associate the religion of the Viking age with its gods and stories about them, but it consisted of so much more.…

Precepted by Dr. Irina Manea

Biblical Hebrew Series Series of 10

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. …

Precepted by Dr. Joel D. Ruark

Celtic Gods and Goddesses: Who Were They, Really?

Figures and stories from Celtic mythology appear frequently in pop culture, books, games, and films. The phrase ‘Celtic mythology’ generally refers to the pre-Christian polytheistic beliefs held by the people living in the British Isles before the Roman invasion. However, not a single primary sourc…

Figures and stories from Celtic mythology appear frequently in pop culture, books, games, and films. The phrase ‘Celtic mythology’ generally refers to the pre-Christian polytheistic beliefs held by the people living in the British Isles before the Roman invasion. However, not a single primary source has survived from the Celts themselves concerning their own mythology; all we have are later Roman and Christian texts describing Celtic cultures, and these are far from objective sources of information. The prevailing picture we have of a Celtic mythology is an amalgamation of a handful of medieval texts, and a world of historical imagination. As the leading scholar Mark Williams states, popular representations of Celtic mythology are often "retellings of retellings, in which dubious 'truths' about Celtic myth are endlessly recycled." So what can we know about the Celtic pantheon? Join me as I guide an exploration into the depths of British history and come face-to-face with Celtic mythology. This course offers a rich exploration of history and literature in conversation, designed for anyone drawn to mythology, pre-Christian belief systems, and the enduring allure of “Celtic” art and identity. Together we will uncover how and why these myths have been reshaped, misrepresented, and revived—and what that reveals about the cultures that told and retold them. Along the way, you may find not only a clearer understanding of these powerful narratives, but also fresh inspiration for your own creative and intellectual engagement with them. Course sessions: 1. Sources: Unpicking the Evidence 2. Webs of Irish, Welsh, Germanic and Norse Mythologies 3. Case Study: Brigid 4. Sacred Sites: Geography and Mythology 5. Material Evidence: Visual Art and Objects that tell Celtic Stories 6. Ossian and the Eighteenth-Century 7. The Fabulous Victorians 8. Scholarship to the Present and Beyond

Precepted by Dr. Shelley Williams

Concerning Honey Bees

This class will discuss the evolution, history, biology, behavior, and mysteries of buzzing insects with a focus on the honey bee. I will give a brief overview of beekeeping (this is not a how-to-keep-bees course) and honey bee products. We will learn the difference between bees and their wasp an…

Precepted by Starsha Kolodziej

Eating Our Way Through Anime

What can a carefully arranged bento box show us about a protagonist’s emotions? How does a steaming bowl of ramen help tell a story? Anime is known for its detailed, mouthwatering portrayals of food. But what exactly makes these artistic culinary delights so special, and why do we keep coming back …

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Egyptian Book of the Dead

This module would be an introduction to the Egyptian Book of the Dead without presuming a knowledge of Egyptian Hieroglyphs. We would read about and discuss the origins, transmission, context, and look closely at some different examples.

Precepted by Shawn Gaffney

Exploring Japanese Culture: Traditions and Festivals Across the Seasons

Discover the seasonal heartbeat of Japan through its annual celebrations in this 8-session journey, where you’ll explore the profound beauty of cherry blossom viewings, the exhilarating chaos of summer festivals with booming taiko drums, the quiet reverence of autumn moon gazing, and the cozy tradi…

Precepted by Pilar Barrera and Mari Takiguchi

Exploring Sei Shonagon's The Pillow Book 枕草子

Sei Shōnagon 清少納言 is a major writer of the Heian period (794-1185) whose Makura no Sōshi 枕草子 (The Pillow Book) has intrigued and delighted reading audiences for centuries. Colorful, witty, incisive, charming, thoughtful, melancholy, poetic---these qualities and more characterize this diary o…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Greek Tragedy: Aeschylus and The Oresteia

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 eng…

Precepted by Adam Beaton

History, Culture & Civilization Tutorials [ST]

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 an…

Precepted by Signum Tutorials Faculty Member

History of the Book Arts

This module gives an overview of writing and alphabets, literary and other works written on stone, papyrus, wax, and parchment. More from Dr. Swain about this module: I love reading and writing. Both are "technological" revolutions that effected historical moments in human history.…

Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Le Morte Darthur Non-Sequential Series

“Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.” This series explores the culminating masterpiece of medieval Arthurian literature: Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur (1470). Drawing together the most noteworthy and celebrated threads of…

Precepted by Dr. Liam Daley

Le Morte Darthur: Arthur's Origins in Malory's "The Tale of King Arthur"

This module explores Sir Thomas Malory’s masterpiece of Arthurian literature, Le Morte Darthur (1471)—for many, the consummate retelling of the Arthur story. The first book of Mallory’s complete work, “The Tale of King Arthur,” includes such crucial Arthurian elements as the Sword in the Sto…

Precepted by Dr. Liam Daley

Introduction to Japanese Religions Series

Over the course of two modules, we will cover the basics of Japanese religious history. Particular areas of focus will be Shintō 神道 tradition and various forms of Japanese Buddhism, shamanism, and Shugendō 修験道. Time permitting (unlikely) we can also touch upon Japanese New Religions and/or Japanes…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy

It has been said that all Western thought comes from Athens or Jerusalem. While the dichotomy raises friction, one often fails to understand that the two thought patterns are often mixed. This module will focus on the history of Western Philosophy/Thought. For didactic reasons, the focus will be on…

Precepted by Dr. Joe Desloge

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Life in Letters Non-Sequential Series

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? Come and take a deep dive, attempting to do just that, as we look into the life of the maker of Middle-earth! This series will go on an adventure through the life of Tolkien over three months through the lens of the newly revised and expanded Letters o…

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Life in Letters 1

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? Come and take a deep dive, attempting to do just that, as we look into the life of the maker of Middle-earth! This series will go on an adventure through the life of Tolkien over three months through the lens of the newly revised and expanded Letters o…

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Life in Letters 2

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? Come and take a deep dive, attempting to do just that, as we look into the life of the maker of Middle-earth! This series will go on an adventure through the life of Tolkien over three months through the lens of the newly revised and expanded Letters o…

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Life in Letters 3

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? Come and take a deep dive, attempting to do just that, as we look into the life of the maker of Middle-earth! This series will go on an adventure through the life of Tolkien over three months through the lens of the newly revised and expanded Letters o…

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Life in Letters 4

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? Come and take a deep dive, attempting to do just that, as we look into the life of the maker of Middle-earth! This series will go on an adventure through the life of Tolkien over several months through the lens of the newly revised and expanded Letters…

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

Korean Culture for K-Drama Lovers

This module seeks to provide students with a deeper look into aspects of Korean culture which can provide a lens through which to view and appreciate them on a deeper level. Through a series of 8 classes, we will cover topics of Food, Social Structure, History, North-South relations, some aspects o…

Precepted by Sam Roche

Life in the Middle Ages Non-Sequential Series

This series will look at what life in the Middle Ages was like. What did people eat? What about entertainment? What about work? What was literature like? People will encounter texts, artifacts, and art to help gain a better understanding of life in the Middle Ages. Each module in the _Life i…

Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Life in the Middle Ages: Clergy

Often when folks think of the Middle Ages, they think of the Medieval church. The church was no monolith, however. From the local parish priest to the popes, this module looks at the lives of the clergy: married or celibate, spiritual or worldly, anti-clericalism, and more.

Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Life in the Middle Ages: Peasants

We are taught in our culture about the "dark ages," from the so-called "Fall of Rome" to about 1500 or so. This module examines why the "dark ages" aren't dark by looking at the lives of peasants during the thousand year period.

Precepted by Dr. Larry Swain

Medieval Christian Thought and Practice

Between the Great Schism (the separation of Orthodox and Catholic churches in 1054 CE) and the Protestant Reformation (initiated by the Church of England separating from the Catholic Church in 1534 CE) lies the medieval period of Christian history. The Church was theologically and spiritually vibr…

Precepted by Dr. Joel D. Ruark

Olympus to Middle-earth: Classical Myth in Modern Fantasy

This module traces how the great myths of Greece and Rome, tales of transformation, underworld journeys, and heroic quests. have been reimagined by modern fantasy writers including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Ursula K. Le Guin, asking how the classics influenced them and why these ancient stori…

Precepted by Adam Beaton

Plant-based Entheogens, Shapers of History and Consciousness

In this module we will explore the roles that various plant-based entheogens have played, actively and passively, in shaping human consciousness and history. Tea, coffee, chocolate, nutmeg, cannabis, coca, alcohol, opium, pipe-weed (tobacco), and ayahuasca will all be discussed, both in their histo…

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Plato's Republic

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. Tog…

Precepted by Adam Beaton

Shakespeare's Epic Fairy Tales Non-Sequential Series

Step into the most wondrous and unconventional corners of William Shakespeare’s imagination, where shipwrecks, enchanted forests, lost heirs, and improbable reunions unfold with dreamlike intensity. Shakespeare’s Epic Fairy Tales gathers the playwright’s late romances and collaborations into…

Precepted by Dr. Liam Daley

Signum Classics: Little Women

“She’s coming! Strike up, Beth! Open the door, Amy! Three cheers for Marmee!” cried Jo, prancing about, while Meg went to conduct her mother to the seat of honor. This quote gives us a perfect glimpse of the March sisters and their mother: nurturing Meg, tomboy fiery Jo, gentle Beth, and …

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr and Pilar Barrera