Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.
Pilar Barrera
Signum Clubs Preceptor
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Signum Tutorials Program
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SPACE Preceptor
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SPACE Team
Passionate about Art History, Fairy tales and the Japanese language
Pilar loves languages and literature. She's interested in fairy tales, especially Andersen's, Wilde's, and Japanese traditional tales. She's also passionate about Art Histoy, the Japanese language and culture.
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Current and Upcoming Modules
January 2026
Language Learning & Philology Tutorials
[ST]
(4 Sections)
April 2026
May 2026
August 2026
Highlighted Modules
All Modules
A Brief Exploration of Japanese Poetry
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
Over the course of this module we will read and explore the work of a few major pre-modern Japanese poets in translation, putting them in their historical, cultural, and religious contexts along the way, but always focusing on the poetry itself. Group discussion is strongly encouraged. Poetry and p...
A Snapshot with Poetry: Writing Haiku
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
Unlock profound imagery and meaning in just a few words. This module explores the timeless art of haiku, blending theory with live practice. Each week, dive into the essence of the shortest form of poetry, from its core principles and spiritual roots with a special guest scholar, to its classic and ...
Art History – A Thousand Stories Non-Sequential Series
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
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, symb...
Book Club: A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro or A Study of Memory
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
In his debut short novel, Kazuo Ishiguro (2017 Nobel Prize winner) explores topics such as the reliability of memory, womanhood, and the relationships between men. Set in both Britain and Nagasaki, Ishiguro takes the reader into the world of Etsuko a Japanese woman struggling to fulfill the expectat...
Book Club: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
A 2020 winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Hamnet is a retelling of Shakespeare’s lost years that focuses on his relationship with Anne Hathaway. At times magical and surreal, it has hues of magic realism and a unique style. We will discuss the themes, imagery, character development, and...
Exploring The Japanese Mind: A Cultural Dialogue
Discussion-based Low intensity
Using Roger J. Davies and Osamu Ikeno’s seminal book, The Japanese Mind, let’s dive into a discussion-based exploration of some key concepts of Japanese culture. We will read and discuss concepts such as Gambari, 頑張,(do the best you can/ determination), Honne / Tatemae, 本音 / 建前(public/priva...
Exploring Japanese Culture: Traditions and Festivals Across the Seasons
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
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 tradit...
Exploring Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio 聊齋誌異
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
In this module we will read and discuss 104 strange tales collected by the 17th-18th century Chinese scholar, Pu Songling. Featuring Daoist/Taoist wizards, fox spirits, ghosts of all kinds, anomalous plants and animals, Buddhist wonder-workers, deities and immortals, Pu's collection has entertained ...
Fairy Tales Studies: Exploring Fairy Tales from Around the World and from Different Authors
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
Sudying fairy tales takes us back to a time when stories where passed from culture to culture. These stories, replicated around the world, deal with fears and axieties, but they also give us hope as it is the smallest and most vulnerable the one who usually triumphs.
In these modules, we will explo...
Fairy Tales: An Adventure from the Writer's Perspective
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
Come explore Fairy Tales from the inside! In the first meeting each week Pilar Barrera will lift up a Fairy Tale technique, character archetype, or trope. We'll discuss the story at hand and how that story technique makes meaning. Then, students try their own hands at that technique! What do we l...
Fairy Tales: From Apples to Bears
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
In this module, we will answer questions such as: what is a fairy tale? Why do we tell stories? What is the function of fairy tales? What are some recurring themes? Stories to be discussed include Snow White (with and without dwarfs), Little Red Riding-hood, the Little Match Girl, Thumbelina, and Ea...
Fairy Tales: Rats, Mice, and Birds
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
In this module, we will continue to explore fairy tales and discuss questions such as: what is the role of nature in fairy tales? What is the role of animals? What are some recurring themes in these tales? Stories to be discussed include “Cinderella”, “The Turnip”, “The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausa...
Fairy Tales: Tricksters, Fools, and Villains
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
In this module, we will examine fairy tales about tricksters and villains. We will discuss questions such as: why are tricksters important? What is the role of villains? What are some recurring themes in these tales? Stories to be discussed include “Hansel and Gretel”, “Bluebeard”, “Hans in Luck”, “...
Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: A House of Pomegranates
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
Poignant, hilarious, ironic, sad, beautiful, Oscar Wilde’s literary fairy tales evoke vivid and intense imagery and discuss topics such as social status, wealth, and Christianity. In these modules, we will read and discuss Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales. We will talk about the plot, characters, specific ...
Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
Poignant, hilarious, ironic, sad, beautiful, Oscar Wilde’s literary fairy tales evoke vivid and intense imagery and discuss topics such as social status, wealth, and Christianity. In these modules, we will read and discuss Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales. We will talk about the plot, characters, specific ...
Japanese Through Culture Series of 21
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
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 amon...
- Japanese Through Culture 1
- Japanese Through Culture 2
- Japanese Through Culture 3
- Japanese Through Culture 4
- Japanese Through Culture 5
- Japanese Through Culture 6
- Japanese Through Culture 7
- Japanese Through Culture 8
- Japanese Through Culture 9
- Japanese Through Culture 10
- Japanese Through Culture 11
- Japanese Through Culture 12
- Japanese Through Culture 13
- Japanese Through Culture 14
- Japanese Through Culture 15
- Japanese Through Culture 16
- Japanese Through Culture 17
- Japanese Through Culture 18 February 2026
- Japanese Through Culture 19 March 2026
- Japanese Through Culture 20
- Japanese Through Culture 21
Japanese for Advanced Beginners Series of 10
Discussion-based Low intensity
In this series, we will continue to explore the beauty of the Japanese language and culture. We will read tales, learn more complex structures, widen general vocabulary, and we will also start reading and writing kanji. みなさん、これからも一緒に日本語を勉強したい！楽しみにしています！
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 1
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 2
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 3
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 4
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 5
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 6
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 7
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 8
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 9
- Japanese for Advanced Beginners 10
Japanese for Beginners Series of 8
Discussion-based Low intensity
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...
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): N5 Test Prep
Mixed Lecture/Discussion High intensity
This module is offered for those Japanese language students who wish to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, level N5. We will not be learning new language skills in this module. Instead we will be reviewing and repetitively practicing the precise set of skills tested on the JLPT N5 test, ...
Nordic Madness: Exploring Children's Literature in Three Nordic Authors
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Medium intensity
In this module we will join the madness, adventure and melancholy of three famous Nordic authors: Hans Christian Andersen, Astrid Lindgren, and Tove Jansson. From the tragic unrequited love of a snowman to the crazy adventures of Pippi Longstocking and the Moomins, this module is a rollercoaster of ...
Russian Fairy Tales: Journeys, Quests, and Chicken Legs
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
In this module we will explore some of the most important Russian fairy tales, their archetypal characters, and beautiful imagery. We will travel magical lands and meet incredible characters, even a talking pancake, and a flying wooden eagle! We will relate these tales with stories from the Grimm br...
Signum Classics: Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales for Creative Writers
Mixed Lecture/Discussion High intensity
Fairy Tales enchant us; they remind us to take a fresh view on daily life; and while many Andersen's tales are filled with sorrow, their beautiful and vivid imagery never ceases to amaze us. We will examine the works of Hans Christian Andersen from the perspective of creative writers, learning from ...
Spanish for Beginners Series
Discussion-based Low intensity
This series is designed for beginners of Spanish who have had very little or no previous contact with the language. The purpose of the course is to build up communication skills through interactive and dynamic sessions. The modules overview essential vocabulary, expressions, and grammar, but we’ll a...
The Art of Seeing: Your Toolkit for Understanding Art
Mixed Lecture/Discussion Low intensity
Have you ever wanted to understand why a painting grabs your attention or what an artist might be trying to say? The Art of Seeing is a friendly module designed for anyone who feels they don't "know enough" about art.
In this module, we'll explore key concepts in art that will provide a powerful to...
The Japanese Heartwarming Book Club
Discussion-based Medium intensity
Called iyashikei - 癒し系 literature, this Japanese literary genre actually (and catually – there’re plenty of cats) means ‘healing’. These lighthearted, warm short novels are designed to soothe the heart and mind and to help us find refuge in stories that make readers reflect on what is important in t...