Signum University — Blackberry

Study Fantasy literature with the experts in a purely fun month of engaging discussion and learning!

From Frankenstein to this year's Nebula Award nominees, read, watch, discuss, question, and draw new insights about written and multimedia fantasy literature. Whether they are movies, books, graphic novels, or podcasts, the stories of magic, courage, and possibility that we love are on the menu for Fantasy Studies. Creators from Darcie Littlebadger to J.R.R. Tolkien provide diverse possibilities in the Fantasy sector of SPACE.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about any of the modules below!

Fantasy Studies

Precepted by Dr. Chris Vaccaro

Fantasy Studies

Non-Sequential Series

Precepted by Knewbetta

Current and Upcoming Fantasy Studies Modules

February 2026

Adaptations of Middle-earth: From Deitch and Bakshi to Jackson

Precepted by Patrick Lyon

C.S. Lewis and the Classical World: Till We Have Faces in Context

Precepted by Dr. Gabriel Schenk

Exploring Tolkien's Letter to Milton Waldman
(Section 1)

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Exploring Tolkien's Letter to Milton Waldman
(Section 2)

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Harry Potter - The Films

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

March 2026

A Pilgrim’s Journey through Narnia: Part 1: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Precepted by Dr. Brenton Dickieson

Signum Classics: Dracula

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Tolkien as Mythmaker: The Architecture of Middle-earth
(Section 1)

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Tolkien as Mythmaker: The Architecture of Middle-earth
(Section 2)

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

April 2026

Exploring Alan Garner’s The Weirdstone of Brisingamen Candidate

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Only 2 votes needed to run this class!

Signum Classics: The Princess and the Goblin / The Princess and Curdie Candidate

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Tolkien and Alchemy Hybrid Candidate

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

May 2026

Signum Classics: Phantastes Candidate

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Tolkien's Great Tales: The Tale of Beren and Lúthien Candidate

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Only 1 vote needed to run this class!

All Fantasy Studies Modules

Adaptations of Middle-earth: From Deitch and Bakshi to Jackson

The long and tangled history of cinematic attempts to bring the world of Middle-earth to the big screen is full of fascinating what-ifs, insurmountable setbacks, and ultimately a slew of good, bad, and utterly bizarre movies as a result. In this module we will dive deep into the cinematic adaptation...

Precepted by Patrick Lyon

Candidate February 2026

A Journey Through The History of the Hobbit Non-Sequential Series

Just as Christopher Tolkien did for the rest of his father’s Middle-earth works, John Rateliff has compiled the manuscripts and early versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and presented them with notes and commentary. In this three-part series, we will work our way through Rateliff’s book, ...

Precepted by James Tauber

A Journey Through The History of the Hobbit 1

In Module 1 of our journey through The History of the Hobbit we will explore Chapters I through VII. Just as Christopher Tolkien did for the rest of his father’s Middle-earth works, John Rateliff has compiled the manuscripts and early versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and presen...

Precepted by James Tauber

A Journey Through The History of the Hobbit 2

In Module 2 of our journey through The History of the Hobbit we will explore Chapter VIII to the end of The Second Phase. Just as Christopher Tolkien did for the rest of his father’s Middle-earth works, John Rateliff has compiled the manuscripts and early versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and presented them with notes and commentary. In this three-part series, we will work our way through Rateliff’s book, The History of the Hobbit. From the first drafts where Gandalf was called Bladorthin (and Thorin was called Gandalf) to the later versions made to better fit with The Lord of the Rings, this SPACE series will give you a much better understanding of how The Hobbit was crafted and a new appreciation for the story that, in some respects, started it all. As well as Rateliff’s material, these modules will also feature some never-before-seen visualizations of The Hobbit draft texts from the Digital Tolkien Project. Module 1: Chapters I through VII Module 2: Chapter VIII to the end of The Second Phase Module 3: The Third Phase onwards

Precepted by James Tauber

A Journey Through The History of the Hobbit 3

In Module 3 of our journey through The History of the Hobbit we will explore The Third Phase onwards. Just as Christopher Tolkien did for the rest of his father’s Middle-earth works, John Rateliff has compiled the manuscripts and early versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and prese...

In Module 3 of our journey through The History of the Hobbit we will explore The Third Phase onwards. Just as Christopher Tolkien did for the rest of his father’s Middle-earth works, John Rateliff has compiled the manuscripts and early versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and presented them with notes and commentary. In this three-part series, we will work our way through Rateliff’s book, The History of the Hobbit. From the first drafts where Gandalf was called Bladorthin (and Thorin was called Gandalf) to the later versions made to better fit with The Lord of the Rings, this SPACE series will give you a much better understanding of how The Hobbit was crafted and a new appreciation for the story that, in some respects, started it all. As well as Rateliff’s material, these modules will also feature some never-before-seen visualizations of The Hobbit draft texts from the Digital Tolkien Project. Module 1: Chapters I through VII Module 2: Chapter VIII to the end of The Second Phase Module 3: The Third Phase onwards

Precepted by James Tauber

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth (HoMe Series) Non-Sequential Series

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. In this ser...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. In this series of SPACE modules, we will tackle one volume per month over the course of a year. Each month-long module will provide an overview of a volume in context as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. Each module will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

7: 8:

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Book of Lost Tales, Part One (HoMe 1)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of Volume One, The Book of Lost Tales Part One, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (HoMe 2)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of Volume Two, The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read The History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Lays of Beleriand (HoMe 3)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on The History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on The History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of Volume Three, The Lays of Beleriand, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Lost Road and Other Writings (HoMe 5)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of Volume Five, The Lost Road and Other Writings, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Peoples of Middle-earth (HoMe 12)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the final book (Volume Twelve), The Peoples of Middle-earth, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth: The Shaping of Middle-earth (HoMe 4)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of Volume Four, The Shaping of Middle-earth, as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: Sauron Defeated (HoMe 9)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the fourth and final book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Treason of Isengard (Volume Nine of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Shadow (HoMe 6)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the first book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the Shadow (Volume Six of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

Candidate May 2023

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard (HoMe 7)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the second book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The Treason of Isengard (Volume Seven of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The History of the Lord of the Rings: The War of the Ring (HoMe 8)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the third book in The History of The Lord of the Rings, The War of the Ring (Volume Eight of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearances from Tolkien scholar, John Garth, and from Marquette University Archivist, William Fliss. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturers Dr. William Fliss and John Garth

A Journey Through The Later Silmarillion, Part One: Morgoth's Ring (HoMe 10)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the first book in The Later Silmarillion, Morgoth's Ring (Volume Ten of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Journey Through The Later Silmarillion, Part Two: The War of the Jewels (HoMe 11)

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module...

Christopher Tolkien’s twelve volumes on the History of Middle-earth give unparalleled insight into the development of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. They contain early drafts of familiar texts, different conceptualizations of well-known stories, and in some cases completely new material. This module is part of a series of modules covering all twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth. This particular module will provide an overview of the second book in The Later Silmarillion, The War of the Jewels (Volume Eleven of The History of the Middle-earth), as well as readings from and discussion of highlights in that volume. It will include a guest appearance from Tolkien scholar John Garth. Whether you’ve read the History of Middle-earth before or not, the hope is that these modules will make the volumes more accessible and will enhance your appreciation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. There is no requirement that you do every single module in the series as each will be largely standalone, although in later modules, references will be made to earlier volumes.

Precepted by James Tauber
with guest lecturer John Garth

A Pilgrim’s Journey through Narnia: Part 1: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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, spiri...

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

March 2026

Are You Tolkien To Me?

Why are the works of J.R.R. Tolkien still so relevant to us in the 21st century? In this course, we will look at some of the central themes of his novels, including Family, Home, Good vs. Evil, and Loss, exploring how Tolkien is still speaking to us almost fifty years after his death. There are no ...

Why are the works of J.R.R. Tolkien still so relevant to us in the 21st century? In this course, we will look at some of the central themes of his novels, including Family, Home, Good vs. Evil, and Loss, exploring how Tolkien is still speaking to us almost fifty years after his death. There are no required texts for this course, however, you may find having a copy of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings very useful (any edition). Week One Lecture 1: War and Home Class 1 · Why is Tolkien still relevant? Week Two Lecture 2: Family, friendship, and fellowship Class 2 · Hope and Heroes Week Three Lecture 3: Good and Evil Class 3 · Fantasy: Recovery, Escape, and Consolation Week Four Lecture 4: Gender and Race Class 4 · Nature and the Landscape

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

June 2026

Book Club: Dune by Frank Herbert Non-Sequential Series

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! In this series of three modules, we will closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides family and the r...

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! In this series of three modules, we will closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides family and the ruthless Harkonnens. Every week, you will get to connect with fellow book lovers and share your insights. This module is perfect for the creative writer looking to pick up techniques through close reading, or for anyone looking for a cozy book club. Let the spice flow! Module 1: Book I: Dune Module 2: Book II: Muad’dib Module 3: Book III: The Prophet

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Dune by Frank Herbert (Part I: Dune)

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the first module in a series of three modules in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between ...

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the first module in a series of three modules in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides family and the ruthless Harkonnens. Every week, you will get to connect with fellow book lovers and share your insights. This module is perfect for the creative writer looking to pick up techniques through close reading, or for anyone looking for a cozy book club. Let the spice flow! Module 1: Book I: Dune Module 2: Book II: Muad’dib Module 3: Book III: The Prophet

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

May 2023

Book Club: Dune by Frank Herbert (Part III: The Prophet)

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the final module of our series in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides fa...

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the final module of our series in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides family and the ruthless Harkonnens. Every week, you will get to connect with fellow book lovers and share your insights. This module is perfect for the creative writer looking to pick up techniques through close reading, or for anyone looking for a cozy book club. Let the spice flow! Module 1: Book I: Dune Module 2: Book II: Muad’dib Module 3: Book III: The Prophet Note: If you did not participate in an earlier module of this series, please consider joining still! You would be most welcome to jump in mid-stream with us.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Dune by Frank Herbert (Part II: Muad’dib)

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the second module in a series of three modules in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between...

Kull Wahad, let’s read Frank Herbert’s Dune! Join us for the second module in a series of three modules in which we closely read Frank Herbert’s masterwork. We will explore themes like heroism, mythology, history, ecology, politics and religion while following the dynastic struggles between the Atreides family and the ruthless Harkonnens. Every week, you will get to connect with fellow book lovers and share your insights. This module is perfect for the creative writer looking to pick up techniques through close reading, or for anyone looking for a cozy book club. Let the spice flow! Module 1: Book I: Dune Module 2: Book II: Muad’dib Module 3: Book III: The Prophet Note: If you did not participate in module 1 of this series, please consider joining still! You would be most welcome to jump in mid-stream with us.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Hunters of Dune (Sequels of Dune: Part 1)

The saga of Dune is far from over... Across two months, we will read Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's completion of Frank Herbert's Dune saga. Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to Herbert's o...

The saga of Dune is far from over... Across two months, we will read Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's completion of Frank Herbert's Dune saga. Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to Herbert's originals, and share your insights. Let the spice flow! Month 1: Hunters of Dune Month 2: Sandworms of Dune

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Chapterhouse Dune 1

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit fight to preserve the last sandworms and the hope of humanity... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Chapterhouse Dune 2

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit fight to preserve the last sandworms and the hope of humanity... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Chapterhouse Dune Non-Sequential Series

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the Frank Herbert's final Dune novel, Chapterhouse Dune. The universe as we know it is gone, as the Honored Matres sweep across the stars and destroy everything in their path. On the remote world Chapterhouse, a handful of rebel Bene Gesserit fight to preserve the last sandworms and the hope of humanity... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Gulping gargoyles, let's read the next Harry Potter book! By popular demand, here is the long-awaited Harry Potter book club! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or ...

Gulping gargoyles, let's read the next Harry Potter book! By popular demand, here is the long-awaited Harry Potter book club! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over one month, we will follow twelve-year-old Harry's adventures as he uncovers the dark secrets lurking beneath Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whispers and plots abound within the castle, as Harry must confront the evil legacy of Voldemort. This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1

Expelliarmus! Let's read the seventh Harry Potter Book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow seventeen-year...

Expelliarmus! Let's read the seventh Harry Potter Book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow seventeen-year-old Harry's adventures. With Voldemort ascendant, Harry and his friends are now fugitives. They must find a way to break the dark lord's power, or the Wizarding World is lost... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2

Expelliarmus! Let's read the seventh Harry Potter Book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow seventeen-year...

Expelliarmus! Let's read the seventh Harry Potter Book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow seventeen-year-old Harry's adventures. With Voldemort ascendant, Harry and his friends are now fugitives. They must find a way to break the dark lord's power, or the Wizarding World is lost... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 1

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-...

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he is forced to compete in the deadly Triwizard Tournament. But who entered him in the tournament, and why? The answers will reveal the dark forces poised to destroy the wizarding world... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-...

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he is forced to compete in the deadly Triwizard Tournament. But who entered him in the tournament, and why? The answers will reveal the dark forces poised to destroy the wizarding world... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Non-Sequential Series

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-...

Wands at the ready, let's read the fourth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fourteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he is forced to compete in the deadly Triwizard Tournament. But who entered him in the tournament, and why? The answers will reveal the dark forces poised to destroy the wizarding world... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 1

Avis! Let's read the sixth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow sixteen-year-old Harry's...

Avis! Let's read the sixth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow sixteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he fights to discover the secret of Voldemort's immortality. Rivalries become deadly and betrayals lurk around every corner... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2

Avis! Let's read the sixth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow sixteen-year-old Harry's...

Avis! Let's read the sixth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow sixteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he fights to discover the secret of Voldemort's immortality. Rivalries become deadly and betrayals lurk around every corner... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 1

Protego! Let's read the fifth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fifteen-year-old Harr...

Protego! Let's read the fifth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fifteen-year-old Harry's adventures as the clouds of war gather over the Wizarding World. Fates collide, heroes fall, and prophecies unfold... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 2

Protego! Let's read the fifth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fifteen-year-old Harr...

Protego! Let's read the fifth Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over two months, we will follow fifteen-year-old Harry's adventures as the clouds of war gather over the Wizarding World. Fates collide, heroes fall, and prophecies unfold... This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Blimey, let's read the third Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over one month, we will follow thirteen-year-old...

Blimey, let's read the third Harry Potter book! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. Over one month, we will follow thirteen-year-old Harry's adventures as he contends with an escaped mass murderer. Yet all is not as it seems. As Harry grapples with the consequences of a hidden betrayal, he must confront the meaning of fear. Failure may just cost him his soul… This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Merlin's beard, let's read the first Harry Potter book! By popular demand, here is the long-awaited Harry Potter book club! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or re...

Merlin's beard, let's read the first Harry Potter book! By popular demand, here is the long-awaited Harry Potter book club! We will get together twice a week to explore the series, reading through the books at a relaxed pace. Connect with fellow readers and share your insights as we discover (or rediscover) the magic. First, we will go back to where it all began, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Over one month, we will follow eleven-year-old Harry's adventures as he commences his study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Together, we will explore themes like friendship, courage, and the power of love. This book club is all about sharing the moments of unexpected, joyful discovery through close reading. Focusing on the text, we will share our personal readings and experiences. We will learn from our classmates in a kindness-first, supportive environment. Together, we can tackle some big questions about the series. What was it about the Harry Potter books that resonated with so many people? To what extent is it possible or indeed desirable to separate art from artist? Most of all, however, we will have an inclusive dialogue that embraces a multiplicity of views and enriches our experience of the text.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Heretics of Dune 1

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruct...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruction of the planet Dune... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Heretics of Dune 2

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruct...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruction of the planet Dune... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: Heretics of Dune Non-Sequential Series

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruct...

In this two-month module, we will read and discuss the fifth Dune novel, Heretics of Dune. 1500 years after the reign of Leto II, humanity is locked on the path laid out by the tyrant. Yet a new threat emerges from the shadows: the Honored Matres, a deadly ecstatic cult bent upon the destruction of the planet Dune... Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to the adaptations, and share your insights. Let the spice flow!

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Book Club: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Epistolary fiction may have you thinking of Frankenstein and Dracula, but they were just the beginning. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone builds on the epistolary tradition while creating a whole new experience with their epistolary science fi...

Epistolary fiction may have you thinking of Frankenstein and Dracula, but they were just the beginning. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone builds on the epistolary tradition while creating a whole new experience with their epistolary science fiction/time travel/lgbtqia+ romance novella. We will explore the framing, narrative, metaphor, character, and linguistic choices of the authors in depth as we take our time dissecting this novella with fellow book lovers.

Precepted by Laurel Stevens

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Books I - VI) Non-Sequential Series

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! Each month, our readings will focus on one of the six Books in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. B...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! Each month, our readings will focus on one of the six Books in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Candidate

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring (Part One)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book I of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blan...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book I of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring (Part Two)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book II of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book II of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King (Part One)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book V of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a ...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book V of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King (Part Two)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book VI of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book VI of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers (Part One)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book III of The Lord of the Rings. Bring ...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book III of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers (Part Two)

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book IV of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a...

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club series, where participants come to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU get to guide the magic! In this module, our readings will specifically focus on Book IV of The Lord of the Rings. Bring a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Book Club: Sandworms of Dune (Sequels of Dune: Part 2)

The saga of Dune is far from over... Across two months, we will read Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's completion of Frank Herbert's Dune saga. Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to Herbert's o...

The saga of Dune is far from over... Across two months, we will read Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's completion of Frank Herbert's Dune saga. Whether you are a new or continuing student in our Dune book club, all are welcome to join this class. Connect with book lovers, compare to Herbert's originals, and share your insights. Let the spice flow! Month 1: Hunters of Dune Month 2: Sandworms of Dune

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

Bridge to The Silmarillion

This course is intended for people who have read The Lord of the Rings and are beginners to The Silmarillion. We will re-read various passages from Lord of the Rings that make reference to First Age people, places, and events: the mighty Elf-friends of old, the Exile of the Elve...

This course is intended for people who have read The Lord of the Rings and are beginners to The Silmarillion. We will re-read various passages from Lord of the Rings that make reference to First Age people, places, and events: the mighty Elf-friends of old, the Exile of the Elves; the Tale of Tinúviel; the story of Eärendil and more. We will whet our appetites and gather some motivating questions that will make a future journey into The Silmarillion easier and more enjoyable.

Precepted by James Tauber

Continuing the Journey: Exploring Alan Garner’s The Moon of Gomrath

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...

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.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

June 2026

C.S. Lewis and the Classical World: Till We Have Faces in Context

The myths and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome had a profound influence on C.S. Lewis throughout his life, from That Hideous Strength and The Chronicles of Narnia through to his novel Till We Have Faces, which he wrote with his wife: the poet and author Joy Davidman. Ti...

The myths and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome had a profound influence on C.S. Lewis throughout his life, from That Hideous Strength and The Chronicles of Narnia through to his novel Till We Have Faces, which he wrote with his wife: the poet and author Joy Davidman. Till We Have Faces is a rewriting of the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche from the perspective of Psyche’s sister Orual, and is widely considered Lewis’s greatest work of fiction. We will read through the novel and discuss each section in class, analyzing the ways Lewis used classical myth to write something new and profound. In doing so, we will also understand how Lewis was inspired by the Classical World throughout his work and life.

Precepted by Dr. Gabriel Schenk

February 2026

Discovering Terry Pratchett's Discworld Non-Sequential Series

This is the Landing Page for Dr. Sara Brown's Discovering the Discworld series. Using the links on this page, you can explore each member of this series by going to its associated module page for more details.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: Aching and Growing

Terry Pratchett said that Tiffany Aching "...started with a girl lying down by a river, on the first page of The Wee Free Men". With the character of Tiffany, a witch-in-training with initially only a frying pan and her common sense to help her, Pratchett said that he wanted to "restate" the ...

Terry Pratchett said that Tiffany Aching "...started with a girl lying down by a river, on the first page of The Wee Free Men". With the character of Tiffany, a witch-in-training with initially only a frying pan and her common sense to help her, Pratchett said that he wanted to "restate" the purpose of magic on the Discworld and the relationship between wizards, witches, and others. He included ideas of responsibility and "guarding your society" as he felt it drew closer to the reality of a witch – that is, "the village herbalist, the midwife, the person who knew things". Pratchett chose a young protagonist because when you're young "you have to learn," and he chose the name "Tiffany" because it evoked anything but a powerful witch. Throughout the series, Tiffany grows both as a young girl and woman and as a witch. In this course, we will follow the arc of Tiffany’s progress from naïve young girl to a powerful witch in her own right, who takes over from Granny Weatherwax, is hailed by the Nac Mac Feagle as their new ‘hag o’ the hills,’ and whose name, in their language, is Tir-far-thóinn or "Land Under Wave." Access to the listed texts is desirable. Prior knowledge of at least the majority of the listed texts will be assumed.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: Discworld and Modernity

'Trousers. That's the secret...Put on trousers and the world changes. We walk different. We act different. I see these girls and I think: idiots! Get yourself some trousers!' In a journey through the Discworld series, from The Colour of Magic to The Shepherd’s Crown, there is huge pro...

'Trousers. That's the secret...Put on trousers and the world changes. We walk different. We act different. I see these girls and I think: idiots! Get yourself some trousers!' In a journey through the Discworld series, from The Colour of Magic to The Shepherd’s Crown, there is huge progress on the Disc as it journeys from the Century of the Fruitbat into the Century of the Anchovy. Inventions, enterprises and cultural progress are at the forefront of Terry Pratchett’s industrial revolution-based books. All the Industrial Revolution books follow a different form of technology as it is introduced to the Disc, and we get to see how these impact upon the inhabitants’ lives. For example, The Truth is about Ankh-Morpork’s first ever printing press, and Raising Steam looks at what happens when steam trains are brought to the Disc. Like any other world, though, change is not always easy, and Pratchett shows us via his trademark satire and humour how challenging – and how illuminating – progress can be. Over the eight classes we will read the six books, in publication order, with one book being discussed in each of six classes. Two classes will be built in that will allow for further discussion of the themes raised in this series.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: Quis Custodiet Custard?

Terry Pratchett’s early work fits the category of parody, and his later work certainly maintains that early mocking spirit. In his later Discworld novels, however, especially The City Watch sequence, Pratchett turns his mocking lens from generic conventions and tropes to the dangerous ideolog...

Terry Pratchett’s early work fits the category of parody, and his later work certainly maintains that early mocking spirit. In his later Discworld novels, however, especially The City Watch sequence, Pratchett turns his mocking lens from generic conventions and tropes to the dangerous ideologies and power structures that permeate contemporary urban life. Edward James calls The City Watch novels “the most political of Pratchett’s works,” and Neil Gaiman reminds us that “beneath any jollity, there is a foundation of fury.” Pratchett’s “fury” and the City Watch novels’ politics together invite us to consider the sequence as social satire and explore what Pratchett may be arguing needs to change, whilst still enjoying the novels for their humour and wonderfully entertaining narrative style. In this course, we will explore The City Watch novels and do exactly that: laugh and have fun whilst discussing the underlying messages that Pratchett offers us. Access to the listed texts is desirable. Prior knowledge of at least the majority of the listed texts will be assumed.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: The Adventures of Rincewind

Let us continue our journey through the Discworld series! Over the eight classes we will read the seven books, in publication order, with one book being discussed in each of seven classes. The final class will be built to allow for further discussion of the themes raised in this series. Access to ...

Let us continue our journey through the Discworld series! Over the eight classes we will read the seven books, in publication order, with one book being discussed in each of seven classes. The final class will be built to allow for further discussion of the themes raised in this series. Access to the texts listed below is desirable. Prior knowledge of at least the majority of the listed texts will be assumed.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: The Existential Angst of Death

Like most literary Grim Reapers, Discworld’s Death is a black-robed skeleton (usually - he wears the Dean's "Born to Rune" leather jacket in Soul Music, and overalls in Reaper Man), carrying a scythe or, for royalty, a sword. He is an anthropomorphised personification of a natural proc...

Like most literary Grim Reapers, Discworld’s Death is a black-robed skeleton (usually - he wears the Dean's "Born to Rune" leather jacket in Soul Music, and overalls in Reaper Man), carrying a scythe or, for royalty, a sword. He is an anthropomorphised personification of a natural process who sometimes has his duties carried out by his apprentice Mort, or his granddaughter Susan, and is occasionally accompanied by the Death of Rats. The Death of Pratchett’s Discworld is a parody of several other personifications of death; unlike many of them, though, he has a personality beyond this. As an immortal outside observer, Death is fascinated by humans, puzzled both by their stupidity and their fortitude despite it. Often out of concern for their well-being, or sometimes simply curiosity, he tries to understand the ways of humans – why and how they do the things they do. Needless to say, this leads to all sorts of disasters (including taking time off from his job reaping souls to become a farmer) but, in the process, Death learns ever more about humans and begins to sympathise with them. Death has many purposes in the narratives; however, in this compelling character, Pratchett has created a figure that makes us laugh but more importantly, he makes us think. In some ways, the Death series is ironically the most human of all. Access to the listed required texts is desirable and prior knowledge of at least the majority of those texts will be assumed. We will also be talking about Death’s appearances in other Discworld books, as well as in the short story "Death and What Comes Next" (provided as a pdf).

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Discovering the Discworld: Which Witch is Which?

Terry Pratchett's witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - are more than just a marvelous spoof of those in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. In addition to their undoubted comedic value, they are also a voice for some of the major themes of the Discworld novels. Through readings of extrac...

Terry Pratchett's witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - are more than just a marvelous spoof of those in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. In addition to their undoubted comedic value, they are also a voice for some of the major themes of the Discworld novels. Through readings of extracts from the relevant novels, as well as reference to some modern scholarship, we will examine the differences between witch magic and wizard magic; the role of witches in Discworld society; Pratchett's representations of gender; themes of power and authority, and the presentation of the minor witch characters. Access to the listed texts is desirable. Prior knowledge of at least the majority of the listed texts will be assumed.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

October 2023 August 2026

Dune: A Study in Adaptation

Frank Herbert's Dune novels have been adapted for film, television and tabletop and video games. Using a combination of recorded lectures, in-class discussion and exercises, this hybrid module will examine the various adaptations of the novels, including David Lynch's film, the miniseries, Denis Vil...

Frank Herbert's Dune novels have been adapted for film, television and tabletop and video games. Using a combination of recorded lectures, in-class discussion and exercises, this hybrid module will examine the various adaptations of the novels, including David Lynch's film, the miniseries, Denis Villeneuve's recent films, HBO's Dune: Prophecy as well as various abortive attempts to adapt the novel. We will also explore the influence of Dune upon the gaming industry. Students are encouraged, but not obliged, to rewatch the various films ahead of in-class discussion.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

May 2025

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 f...

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 for more? In this module, we will consider many aspects of food in anime and its relationship with fandom, culture, and history, and how food signals certain things about characters, settings, and relationships. Come help us eat our way through anime!

Precepted by Bronwyn Rivera and Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

October 2023

Exploring Alan Garner’s The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

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 Britis...

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.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

April 2026

Exploring Journey to the West 西遊記

One of the most beloved of all classical Chinese novels, Journey to the West features Monkey, Pig, Sand-demon, White Horse, and the monk Tripitaka as they make a pilgrimage from Tang-dynasty Chang’an to India to bring back Buddhist scriptures, having outrageous adventures all along the way....

One of the most beloved of all classical Chinese novels, Journey to the West features Monkey, Pig, Sand-demon, White Horse, and the monk Tripitaka as they make a pilgrimage from Tang-dynasty Chang’an to India to bring back Buddhist scriptures, having outrageous adventures all along the way. Full of humor and wit, this is a major work of East Asian fantastic literature. Come along with Monkey and the gang for a tour through this foundational text!

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Exploring Mob Psycho 100

In Mob Psycho 100, Shigeo Kageyama ("Mob") is an ordinary middle school student who also happens to have strong psychic abilities. Between his part-time job as an exorcist's assistant, his desire to fit in at school, and the weird things that tend to happen to him, he struggles to find the o...

In Mob Psycho 100, Shigeo Kageyama ("Mob") is an ordinary middle school student who also happens to have strong psychic abilities. Between his part-time job as an exorcist's assistant, his desire to fit in at school, and the weird things that tend to happen to him, he struggles to find the ordinary life he craves. This series turns many of the tropes of battle-shounen anime on their head, while also exploring what it means to be a good person and find the life you want -- while also including some incredible action sequences. Please join us for a discussion of the themes, tropes, and characters of this unusual show. Module structure: Session 1: Episodes 1-3 Session 2: Episodes 4-6 Session 3: Episodes 7-9 Session 4: Episodes 10-12 (end of season 1) Session 5: Episodes 13-15 Session 6: Episodes 16-19 Session 7: Episodes 20-22 Session 8: Episodes 23-25 (end of season 2)

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Exploring Natsume’s Book of Friends Non-Sequential Series

Natsume’s Book of Friends is a contemplative and heartfelt anime/manga series about a boy who inherited a book from his grandmother, allowing him to control youkai. Instead, he chooses to free them. This series sits at the intersection of fantasy and slice of life, and it touches on many aspe...

Natsume’s Book of Friends is a contemplative and heartfelt anime/manga series about a boy who inherited a book from his grandmother, allowing him to control youkai. Instead, he chooses to free them. This series sits at the intersection of fantasy and slice of life, and it touches on many aspects of Japanese folklore and culture, at the same time telling a story about connection and compassion. This series is primarily discussion based, with some contextual information provided by the preceptor. There will be a Google Doc for class discussion and your preceptor will use slides, but sparingly.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Exploring Natsume’s Book of Friends: Part 1

Natsume’s Book of Friends is a contemplative and heartfelt anime/manga series about a boy who inherited a book from his grandmother, allowing him to control youkai. Instead, he chooses to free them. This series sits at the intersection of fantasy and slice of life, and it touches on many aspe...

Natsume’s Book of Friends is a contemplative and heartfelt anime/manga series about a boy who inherited a book from his grandmother, allowing him to control youkai. Instead, he chooses to free them. This series sits at the intersection of fantasy and slice of life, and it touches on many aspects of Japanese folklore and culture, at the same time telling a story about connection and compassion. In this module, we will watch and discuss the first two seasons of the anime, paying particular attention to themes including: the iyashikei (healing) genre of anime, the portrayal of youkai in popular culture, and the use of concepts and imagery from Japanese literature and folklore in the series. This module is primarily discussion based, with some contextual information provided by the preceptor. There will be a Google Doc for class discussion and your preceptor will use slides, but sparingly.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Exploring The Secret of Kells

"I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkn...

"I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light." Thus begins Cartoon Saloon's The Secret of Kells (2010). This animated film retells the origins of the Book of Kells through the perspective of Brendan, a young boy whose cloistered life suddenly expands when he is tasked to venture from his isolated outpost to gather resources for the Book's final pages. Against a backdrop of encroaching Viking raids and magical beasts, Brendan's quest weaves a tale of imagination, courage, and what it means to foster beauty in the face of horrific uncertainty. In this module, we will watch The Secret of Kells and discuss topics related to the film, including Irish folklore, manuscript culture, and the story of Pangur Bán using Jo Ellen Bogart's picture book The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem Pangur Bán (2016).

Precepted by Bronwyn Rivera

Exploring Violet Evergarden

Come join us for a stunning coming-of-age fantasy anime that follows the story of Violet Evergarden, a former soldier who finds forgiveness, healing, and self-worth through the unassuming power of writing letters. In this module, we will discuss how Violet Evergarden functions as a postwar re...

Come join us for a stunning coming-of-age fantasy anime that follows the story of Violet Evergarden, a former soldier who finds forgiveness, healing, and self-worth through the unassuming power of writing letters. In this module, we will discuss how Violet Evergarden functions as a postwar recovery and travel story, as well as the anime’s use of Victorian and post-World War I aesthetics to tell Violet’s unusual yet unforgettable tale.

Precepted by Bronwyn Rivera and Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

November 2025 January 2026

Exploring Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio 聊齋誌異

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 ...

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 audiences through centuries. Writers and artists as diverse as Jorge Luis Borges and Martin Buber have found inspiration in these stories, and several films and film franchises such as A Chinese Ghost Story are rooted in them. Preceptors Pilar Barrera and Dr. Robert Steed will lead class sessions, which will primarily focus upon participant discussion framed by preceptor commentary designed to situate these stories in their historical, literary, and religious contexts.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera and Dr. Robert Steed

Exploring Tolkien's "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth"

Immerse yourself in the profound dialogues of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth", a philosophical and metaphysical exploration of love, mortality, and hope within the legendarium of Middle-earth. This class invites you to delve into the intricate conversations between Finrod, an Elven ki...

Immerse yourself in the profound dialogues of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth", a philosophical and metaphysical exploration of love, mortality, and hope within the legendarium of Middle-earth. This class invites you to delve into the intricate conversations between Finrod, an Elven king, and Andreth, a wise-woman of the race of Men. Their discourse investigates the depths of human (and Elven) existence, examining the divergent perspectives on life, death, and the overarching destiny of their worlds. Throughout this course, we will dissect the rich layers of Tolkien’s narrative, uncovering the symbolic and thematic significances that make "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth" a cornerstone of his mythopoeic work. Together, we will work on a comprehensive analysis of the text, contextualizing it within Tolkien's broader legendarium and drawing connections to his other works. Our aim will be to gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical questions posed by Finrod and Andreth, and how these reflect Tolkien’s own views on faith, despair, and redemption. Whether you are a seasoned Tolkien scholar or a passionate enthusiast of his world, this class offers an opportunity to engage with one of the most profound and lesser-known dialogues in Middle-earth, enriching your appreciation for Tolkien's genius and the enduring legacy of his work.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

November 2026

Exploring Tolkien’s “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics”

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 Academ...

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.

Precepted by Dr. Chris Vaccaro

Candidate

Exploring Tolkien's Letter to Milton Waldman

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 ...

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.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

February 2026 (1) February 2026 (2)

Exploring William Gibson's Jackpot

Attn: All continua enthusiasts and stub residents, join us as we delve into the world of William Gibson's recent novel and Amazon Prime series, The Peripheral. A world of branch universes, nanobot assassinations, attenuated time travel and kleptocrats, all under the ever-watchful Periwinkle eyes of ...

Attn: All continua enthusiasts and stub residents, join us as we delve into the world of William Gibson's recent novel and Amazon Prime series, The Peripheral. A world of branch universes, nanobot assassinations, attenuated time travel and kleptocrats, all under the ever-watchful Periwinkle eyes of Detective Inspector Ainsley Lowbeer and the looming Jackpot. If you have read the novels already, this is a great chance to revisit them in light of the Amazon series for The Peripheral which began in 2022. If you have never read William Gibson, this is an opportunity to explore Gibson's particular flavor of fast-paced action, braided narratives, and provocative ideas.

Precepted by Dr. Patrick Malloy

Exploring William Gibson's Jackpot: Agency

Agency is the second novel of William Gibson's Jackpot Trilogy. Agency's timeline emerges in a branch universe where the 2016 election went otherwise and a somewhat salty AI assistant gets loose in the internet. Nanobot assassinations and attenuated time travel, surly barristas and tech bill...

Agency is the second novel of William Gibson's Jackpot Trilogy. Agency's timeline emerges in a branch universe where the 2016 election went otherwise and a somewhat salty AI assistant gets loose in the internet. Nanobot assassinations and attenuated time travel, surly barristas and tech billionaires, smart-ass AI and an elderly super-empowerd Detective Inspector Ainsley work to avoid the blades of the looming Jackpot. Although a sequel to The Peripheral, you need not have read that book to enjoy Agency. Please join us!

Precepted by Dr. Patrick Malloy

Fairy Tales: From Apples to Bears

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...

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 East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Fairy Tales: Rats, Mice, and Birds

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...

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 Sausage”, “The Forest Bride”, “The Daisy”, and “Five out of a Pod”.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Fairy Tales Studies: Exploring Fairy Tales from Around the World and from Different Authors

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...

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 explore different authors and fairy tales from around the world. Students will have the opportunity to read and re-read the Grimm brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, Andrew Lang, Oscar Wilde and fairy tales from differnet cultures such as Russia, and Japan. Each month, our preceptors will survey the group using to see which text students are most interested in exploring next. We offer the following Fairy Tales Studies modules: • Fairy Tales: An Adventure from the Writer's Perspective • Fairy Tales: From Apples to Bears • Fairy Tales: Rats, Mice, and Birds • Fairy Tales: Tricksters, Fools, and Villains • Introduction to Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales • Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: A House of Pomegranates • Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: The Happy Prince and Other Tales • Japanese Fairy Tales and Children's Literature • Russian Fairy Tales: Journeys, Quests, and Chicken Legs • Yōkai and Legends: Exploring the Weird in Japanese and Latin American Cultures • Encountering the Japanese Weird through Lafcadio Hearn's Kwaidan • Exploring Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham • Fairy Tales: Beauty and the Beast Note: Each module stands on its own and no previous knowledge is required. The idea is to read and discuss these stories, their themes, imagery, and see how we respond to them.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Fairy Tales: Tricksters, Fools, and Villains

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”, “...

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”, “Momotaro, the Peach Boy”, “The Bremen Musicians”, “The Old Woman and the Tramp”, and “The Tinder Box”.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Folk Horror: Journey into Modernity's Nightmares

Folk Horror, having initial roots in the early 20th century, has continued steadily in multiple media to explore societal fears of our day. This SPACE class will look at the origins of the genre, its explosion in the upheaval in the 1970's, and its current place of cultural relevance in a world fill...

Folk Horror, having initial roots in the early 20th century, has continued steadily in multiple media to explore societal fears of our day. This SPACE class will look at the origins of the genre, its explosion in the upheaval in the 1970's, and its current place of cultural relevance in a world filled with anxious nightmares regarding its future. Session One: The Tools of Engagement: Modern Folk Horror Studies Session Two: The Stories of Ambrose Pierce Session Three: The Stories of Thomas Hardy Session Four: The Grandmaster of Folk Horror: M.R. James Part I Session Five: The Grandmaster of Folk Horror: M.R. James Part II Session Six: The "Folk" of the 1970's: The Unholy Trinity Session Seven: Movies/Media of the 80's and 90's: The Blair Witch and Steven King Session Eight: Modern Manifestations: True Detective

Precepted by Jay Moses

Geology of Fictional Worlds

This course introduces the student to the various aspects of geology and how they can relate to worldbuilding and mapmaking. This includes continents, plate tectonics, mountains, water, glaciers, planetary patterns, the distribution of rock types and natural resources, natural disasters and weather...

This course introduces the student to the various aspects of geology and how they can relate to worldbuilding and mapmaking. This includes continents, plate tectonics, mountains, water, glaciers, planetary patterns, the distribution of rock types and natural resources, natural disasters and weather patterns. This background would allow students to better evaluate fictional maps as well as create them. Examples will be drawn from Middle-earth, Earth-sea, Westeros, Dungeons and Dragons, and suggestions from students.

Precepted by Shawn Gaffney

Harry Potter - The Films

Let's get together to discuss the eight Harry Potter films. Across one month, we'll get together to discuss each film in turn. What adaptation choices did the creators make and why? What works and what doesn't? What are the major themes of the films? And why did this film series become a phenomenon ...

Let's get together to discuss the eight Harry Potter films. Across one month, we'll get together to discuss each film in turn. What adaptation choices did the creators make and why? What works and what doesn't? What are the major themes of the films? And why did this film series become a phenomenon in its own right? This module combines the warmth of our cosy book club with the magic of film appreciation.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

February 2026

His Dark Materials in Context Non-Sequential Series

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array...

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Note: Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites.

Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker and Dr. Gabriel Schenk

1: 2: 3:

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Beginnings

Grab a cup of tea and join Keli for a relaxed viewing and discussion of the first half of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is the first of two modules dedicated to covering the entire original series in preparation for a future module on Netflix's upcoming live action as an adaptation of Boo...

Grab a cup of tea and join Keli for a relaxed viewing and discussion of the first half of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is the first of two modules dedicated to covering the entire original series in preparation for a future module on Netflix's upcoming live action as an adaptation of Book 1 from the original series.

Precepted by Keli Fancher

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Endings

Grab a cup of tea and join Keli for a relaxed viewing and discussion of the second half of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is the second of two modules dedicated to covering the entire original series in preparation for a future module on Netflix's upcoming live action as an adaptation of B...

Grab a cup of tea and join Keli for a relaxed viewing and discussion of the second half of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is the second of two modules dedicated to covering the entire original series in preparation for a future module on Netflix's upcoming live action as an adaptation of Book 1 from the original series.

Precepted by Keli Fancher

Babylon 5: Who Are You?

The first of the two essential questions raised in Babylon 5, “Who are you” demands that listeners and respondents consider the nature of their own mortality and personhood, delving deeply into their multifaceted identities. This four-week seminar explores the responses to this question as gi...

The first of the two essential questions raised in Babylon 5, “Who are you” demands that listeners and respondents consider the nature of their own mortality and personhood, delving deeply into their multifaceted identities. This four-week seminar explores the responses to this question as given by six core members of the Babylon 5 universe and considers its presentation as a core Vorlon question, examining the world of Babylon 5 as a space of introspection and self-discovery.

Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker

His Dark Materials in Context: The Amber Spyglass

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing fro...

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. • Module 1: His Dark Materials in Context: The Golden Compass (a.k.a. Northern Lights) (October 2023) • Module 2: His Dark Materials in Context: The Subtle Knife (December 2023) • Module 3: His Dark Materials in Context: The Amber Spyglass (January 2023)

Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker and Dr. Gabriel Schenk

His Dark Materials in Context: The Golden Compass

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing fro...

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites.

Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker and Dr. Gabriel Schenk

His Dark Materials in Context: The Subtle Knife

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing fro...

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. • Module 1: His Dark Materials in Context: The Golden Compass (a.k.a. Northern Lights) (October 2023) • Module 2: His Dark Materials in Context: The Subtle Knife (December 2023) • Module 3: His Dark Materials in Context: The Amber Spyglass (January 2023)

Precepted by Dr. Faith Acker and Dr. Gabriel Schenk

Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World Non-Sequential Series

This is the Landing Page for Dr. Koke Saavedra's two-module series, Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World: Module 1 explores the rich Chilean Gothic, where, amidst sublime, disquieting and disjointed physical and cultural landscapes, Poe and Lovecraft continue exerting much influence...

This is the Landing Page for Dr. Koke Saavedra's two-module series, Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World: Module 1 explores the rich Chilean Gothic, where, amidst sublime, disquieting and disjointed physical and cultural landscapes, Poe and Lovecraft continue exerting much influence. Famous works, like The Shrouded Woman by María Luisa Bombal, coexist with many unknown jewels. Given Chile’s extreme and vast geography, and persistent ‘frontier culture’, fantastic ‘lost cities’ and ‘lost worlds’ adventures have abounded here. We will look at local classics of this fun, gripping subgenre. Module 2 explores how, under dictatorship, Chilean SFF creation mainly moved abroad, together with its exiled creators, such as Isabel Allende, and her The House of Spirits. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Note: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series. There are no prerequisites.

Precepted by Dr. Koke Saavedra

Candidate

Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World: Chile’s Extraordinary Science Fiction and Fantasy I

Note: Although this is a two-part series, each module stands on its own. Students are welcome to join in for any module of the series. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Surely life at the world's end will unhinge your imagination! See by yourself by explo...

Note: Although this is a two-part series, each module stands on its own. Students are welcome to join in for any module of the series. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Surely life at the world's end will unhinge your imagination! See by yourself by exploring the extraordinary, diverse science fiction and fantasy (SFF) of Chile, a remote land barely hanging at the edge of our planet. Boasting a grand literary tradition, and literally zero interest in hard science, Chilean SFF is different, opening unusual vistas into the imaginative landscape. In the first part of this two-module series, we will first explore the rich Chilean Gothic, where, amidst sublime, disquieting and disjointed physical and cultural landscapes, Poe and Lovecraft continue exerting much influence. Famous works, like The Shrouded Woman by María Luisa Bombal, coexist with many unknown jewels. Given Chile’s extreme and vast geography, and persistent ‘frontier culture’, fantastic ‘lost cities’ and ‘lost worlds’ adventures have abounded here. We will look at local classics of this fun, gripping subgenre. After losing ourselves on remote places in search of treasure and immortality, we will explore the incisive ‘New Wave’ feminist SFF of the Chilean sixties—in particular Elena Aldunate and Ilda Cádiz Ávila, two remarkable authors whose influence grows every year as female voices are rediscovered and empowered. Perhaps a cautionary tale, Chilean proud 150-year-old democracy burned and crashed on 9/11/1973. Chile has also produced remarkable SFF comics, creatively expressing (or repressing) changing local moods. We will explore exciting works, little known in the US, including the adventures of Mampato and the extraordinary Guardians of the South, a decolonizing comics depicting indigenous Mapuche as superheroes, precisely at a time of their political uprising. Part 1 – Outline: Lecture 1: Poe & Lovecraft in the South Pacific: At the real mountains of madness' and other awesomely disquieting Gothic stuff. Discussion 1: Class discussion on Lecture 1 material. Lecture 2: Lost Worlds and Fantastic Cities Aplenty: Why not just grab some horses and go in search of eternal life and gold by the bucketfuls in the foreboding Andes and the forbidding Patagonian fiords? Discussion 2: Class discussion on Lecture 2 material. Lecture 3: Forget Neruda! The amazing feminist 'New Wave' sixties science fiction of Isabel Aldunate and Ilda Cádiz Ávila. Discussion 3: Class discussion on Lecture 3 material. Lecture 4: Top comics in the Andes: From time-traveling Mampato and Jodorowsky’s Incal to the decolonizing, native Mapuche superheroes, The Guardians of the South. Discussion 4: Class discussion on Lecture 4 material.

Precepted by Dr. Koke Saavedra

Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World: Chile’s Extraordinary Science Fiction and Fantasy II

Surely life at the world's end will unhinge your imagination! See by yourself by exploring the extraordinary, diverse science fiction & fantasy (SFF) of Chile, a remote land barely hanging at the edge of our planet. Boasting a grand literary tradition, and literally zero interest in hard science...

Surely life at the world's end will unhinge your imagination! See by yourself by exploring the extraordinary, diverse science fiction & fantasy (SFF) of Chile, a remote land barely hanging at the edge of our planet. Boasting a grand literary tradition, and literally zero interest in hard science, Chilean SFF is different, opening unusual vistas into the imaginative landscape. In the second part of this two-module series, we will explore how, under dictatorship, Chilean SFF creation mainly moved abroad, together with its exiled creators, such as Isabel Allende, and her The House of Spirits. Since the return to democracy in 1990, Chilean SFF has been shaped by profound, historically unresolved social conflicts, such as colonial and patriarchal legacies, an ambiguous relationship with technology, persisting ‘classism’ and socio-economic inequalities, and the lingering traumas of the military regime. Post-humanist SF, Cyber- and Steam-Punk, have taken strong roots in Chile by addressing those old conflicts in impactful literary works, such as Alicia Fenieux’s Clone’s Love or Muñoz Valenzuela’s Flowers for a Cyborg. A decade of massive foreign immigration, of over 10% of the national population, compounded social tensions. And the optimism that followed redemocratization and lightning-fast economic growth ended abruptly in 2019 with a dramatic ‘social explosion’, where millions of people took to the streets after a minor rise in the cost of public transportation. Remarkably, SFF is thriving under these unsettling social conditions, as Chilean SFF authors alchemically transform the new anxieties into extraordinary imaginative creations. A true Chilean Golden Age of SFF is being born as zombies and other dreadful creatures run rampant. Inspired, though dystopian social visions combine with technological nightmares to create some of the best imaginative literature ever created in the country. Lastly, we will look at the Cyber-Shamanism of Jorge Baradit—Magic Realism 2.0?—an inspired, neo-techno-Gothic expression of the ‘new pessimism’, mixing Cyber-Punk and indigenous spirituality to express the new fears arising from the expansion of organized crime, violence and corruption, threatening social dissolution not only in Chile but in the Americas as a whole. Although this is a two-part series, each module stands on its own. Lecture 1: Magic Realism & real dictatorship: Isabel Allende’s 'The House of Spirits' & other potent exiled imaginations. Discussion 1: Class discussion on Lecture 1 material. Lecture 2: Posthumanism's alive & well in the South Pacific: From cyborg social justice revenge to clones’ love betrayals. Discussion 2: Class discussion on Lecture 2 material. Lecture 3: Chilean zombie attacks, vampires on the lose, & other easily preventable catastrophes: Pop goes the future! Discussion 3: Class discussion on Lecture 3 material. Lecture 4: A pessimist Golden Age and Magic Realism 2.0? Cyber-Punk, Cyber-Shamanism & Jorge Baradit's “Magical Conquest of America”. Discussion 4: Class discussion on Lecture 4 material.

Precepted by Dr. Koke Saavedra

In the Age of Wonder: The Many Themes of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal, a film directed and created by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, was released at Christmastime in 1982. An attempt at a more mature and decidedly darker direction for Henson, it performed modestly in the box office to mixed reviews. Despite its poor initial beginnings, over the next...

The Dark Crystal, a film directed and created by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, was released at Christmastime in 1982. An attempt at a more mature and decidedly darker direction for Henson, it performed modestly in the box office to mixed reviews. Despite its poor initial beginnings, over the next 42 years, The Dark Crystal became a cult classic. Why the appeal all these years later? In this class we will explore this multifaceted dark fantasy as a stand of world building from the better appreciated “Muppet” canon. Over the course of eight sessions we will discuss the world of Thra through the film itself, seen afresh with the new lenses of various forms of modern criticism. Please join us for a combination of short lectures and lively discussion of this visual and technical masterpiece whether you’re a long-time fan or neophyte.

Precepted by Kerra Fletcher and Jay Moses

Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: A House of Pomegranates

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 ...

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 nuances of the language, use of irony, and symbolism. We will also discuss stories that influenced some of the tales, especially Andersen’s tales such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Shadow,” “The Darning Needle,” and others. This module is part of a two-module series, but each one stands alone and is independent from the other. In the first module, we will talk about the fairy tales from The Happy Prince and Other Tales, and in the second module we will discuss A House of Pomegranates.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: The Happy Prince and Other Tales

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 ...

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 nuances of the language, use of irony, and symbolism. We will also discuss stories that influenced some of the tales, especially Andersen’s tales such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Shadow,” “The Darning Needle,” and others. This module is part of a two-module series, but each one stands alone and is independent from the other. In the first module, we will talk about the fairy tales from The Happy Prince and Other Tales, and in the second module we will discuss A House of Pomegranates.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Smith of Wootton Major: Tolkien and the Dark Side of Faerie

The last story Tolkien ever published is one of the most curious stories he ever wrote, and provides rare insight into his final thoughts on storytelling and the world of Faerie he first explained in "On Fairy-Stories." This module will explore the ways in which Tolkien explored philosophy, mytholog...

The last story Tolkien ever published is one of the most curious stories he ever wrote, and provides rare insight into his final thoughts on storytelling and the world of Faerie he first explained in "On Fairy-Stories." This module will explore the ways in which Tolkien explored philosophy, mythology, and the nature of inspiration in his final adventure into the Perilous Realm. Session 1: Introduction and the Golden Key Session 2: Smith (Part I) Session 3: Smith(Part II) Session 4: Smith(Part III) Session 5: The Drafts (Part I) Session 6: The Drafts (Part II) Session 7: Essay on Faerie Session 8: Overview and Conclusion

Precepted by Patrick Lyon

The Bovadium Fragments: Tolkien and Satire

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...

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

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 of...

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 of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the module follows the narrative presented in Tolkien's own words in his letters, the class sessions will allow for discussions of Tolkien's thoughts and problems as he raises them --- as well as the chance to read and discuss selections of his creative works along the way. Throughout the course, we will be discussing the events of Tolkien’s life in tandem with the letters and filling out a more complete picture of the man through his work, his personal life, and his creative endeavours. Names, places, and stages of history can all too easily become abstractions on a page but, in this course, we will see the way in which Tolkien's personal environment was intimately connected to his works, and how it shaped the life of the man behind the legendarium. You can join us for the whole series or just jump in a month at a time as we explore the newly revised and expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien!

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 of...

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 of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the module follows the narrative presented in Tolkien's own words in his letters, the class sessions will allow for discussions of Tolkien's thoughts and problems as he raises them --- as well as the chance to read and discuss selections of his creative works along the way. Throughout the course, we will be discussing the events of Tolkien’s life in tandem with the letters and filling out a more complete picture of the man through his work, his personal life, and his creative endeavours. Names, places, and stages of history can all too easily become abstractions on a page but, in this course, we will see the way in which Tolkien's personal environment was intimately connected to his works, and how it shaped the life of the man behind the legendarium. You can join us for the whole series or just jump in a month at a time as we explore the newly revised and expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien!

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 of...

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 of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the module follows the narrative presented in Tolkien's own words in his letters, the class sessions will allow for discussions of Tolkien's thoughts and problems as he raises them --- as well as the chance to read and discuss selections of his creative works along the way. Throughout the course, we will be discussing the events of Tolkien’s life in tandem with the letters and filling out a more complete picture of the man through his work, his personal life, and his creative endeavours. Names, places, and stages of history can all too easily become abstractions on a page but, in this course, we will see the way in which Tolkien's personal environment was intimately connected to his works, and how it shaped the life of the man behind the legendarium. You can join us for the whole series or just jump in a month at a time as we explore the newly revised and expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien!

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 of...

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 of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the module follows the narrative presented in Tolkien's own words in his letters, the class sessions will allow for discussions of Tolkien's thoughts and problems as he raises them --- as well as the chance to read and discuss selections of his creative works along the way. Throughout the course, we will be discussing the events of Tolkien’s life in tandem with the letters and filling out a more complete picture of the man through his work, his personal life, and his creative endeavours. Names, places, and stages of history can all too easily become abstractions on a page but, in this course, we will see the way in which Tolkien's personal environment was intimately connected to his works, and how it shaped the life of the man behind the legendarium. You can join us for the whole series or just jump in a month at a time as we explore the newly revised and expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien!

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 ...

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 of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the module follows the narrative presented in Tolkien's own words in his letters, the class sessions will allow for discussions of Tolkien's thoughts and problems as he raises them --- as well as the chance to read and discuss selections of his creative works along the way. Throughout the course, we will be discussing the events of Tolkien’s life in tandem with the letters and filling out a more complete picture of the man through his work, his personal life, and his creative endeavours. Names, places, and stages of history can all too easily become abstractions on a page but, in this course, we will see the way in which Tolkien's personal environment was intimately connected to his works, and how it shaped the life of the man behind the legendarium. You can join us for the whole series or just jump in a month at a time as we explore the newly revised and expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and Patrick Lyon

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrún

Love, power, betrayal, death; the occasional dragon and cursed ring. All these are to be found in the legends of the Vǫlsungs and Niflungs, amongst the most popular and abiding legends of the medieval Germanic-speaking and Norse worlds. J.R.R. Tolkien reworked these into two poems in Modern English ...

Love, power, betrayal, death; the occasional dragon and cursed ring. All these are to be found in the legends of the Vǫlsungs and Niflungs, amongst the most popular and abiding legends of the medieval Germanic-speaking and Norse worlds. J.R.R. Tolkien reworked these into two poems in Modern English patterned after the alliterative style of Old Norse poems. In this module, we read Tolkien’s poems and their accompanying commentary to see how Tolkien wrought his own retelling of these ancient tales, and we’ll trace the connections across from the original medieval legends through Tolkien’s retelling to his original works of fantasy set in Middle-earth.

Precepted by Dr. Carl Edlund Anderson

J.R.R. Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club setting and discuss the joy of Tolkien’s beloved Christmas tale.

Precepted by Elise Trudel

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy and relaxed Book Club as we read and discuss J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic, The Hobbit.

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Knewbetta’s Guide to The Silmarillion Non-Sequential Series

Is The Silmarillion your favorite book? Is it your least-favorite book? Whether you’re reading it for the first or fiftieth time, KnewBettaDoBetta will help you see it in a more fun, relatable way! Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is inarguably a complex read. KnewBetta seeks to make it mor...

Is The Silmarillion your favorite book? Is it your least-favorite book? Whether you’re reading it for the first or fiftieth time, KnewBettaDoBetta will help you see it in a more fun, relatable way! Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is inarguably a complex read. KnewBetta seeks to make it more accessible by teaching the lore in an understandable way. His hope is that everyone can share his knowledge and passion! This course will look at characters, relationships, relatable themes, and meanings that you may not have explored yet.

Precepted by Knewbetta

Knewbetta’s Guide to The Silmarillion: The Dawn of Arda

Precepted by Knewbetta

May 2024

Knewbetta’s Guide to The Silmarillion: The Twilight of Heroes

Precepted by Knewbetta

Le Guin's Earthsea Non-Sequential Series

Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we...

Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Candidate

Le Guin's Earthsea: A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan

This present module is for Module 1 of the Earthsea Series, exploring A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literar...

This present module is for Module 1 of the Earthsea Series, exploring A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Candidate

Le Guin's Earthsea: The Farthest Shore and Tehanu

This present module is for Module 2 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Farthest Shore_ and Tehanu. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, reli...

This present module is for Module 2 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Farthest Shore_ and Tehanu. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Candidate

Le Guin's Earthsea: The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea

This present module is for Module 3 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Other Wind_ and Tales from Earthsea. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophi...

This present module is for Module 3 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Other Wind_ and Tales from Earthsea. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Candidate

Le Guin’s Hainish Cycle: The Dispossessed

What makes a utopia? What kind of world do we want to live in, and how do we create a better society? The Dispossessed, often subtitled “An Ambiguous Utopia,” wrestles with weighty questions related to utopia, dystopia, and their relationship to the life of the individual. The novel approach...

What makes a utopia? What kind of world do we want to live in, and how do we create a better society? The Dispossessed, often subtitled “An Ambiguous Utopia,” wrestles with weighty questions related to utopia, dystopia, and their relationship to the life of the individual. The novel approaches these questions through the themes of anarchism, socialism, capitalism, individualism, and solidarity. Unlike many utopian visions, Le Guin’s is as ambiguous as the title suggests, raising questions without pushing the reader toward a universal answer. In this module we will consider Shevek’s journey between worlds, including the literary, philosophical and political aspects of the novel, and will deepen our understanding via class discussion. Session 1: Context & introduction to the book. Chapter 1 Session 2: Chapters 2-3 Session 3: Chapters 4-5 Session 4: Chapter 6 Session 5: Chapter 7 Session 6: Chapter 8 Session 7: Chapters 9-10 Session 8: Chapters 11-13

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Le Guin’s Hainish Cycle: The Left Hand of Darkness

Ground-breaking when it appeared, and profoundly influential in both science fiction and feminist literature, The Left Hand of Darkness, offers an extended meditation on the nature of sex and gender in society. These ideas are explored in the thematic contexts of intercultural contact, langua...

Ground-breaking when it appeared, and profoundly influential in both science fiction and feminist literature, The Left Hand of Darkness, offers an extended meditation on the nature of sex and gender in society. These ideas are explored in the thematic contexts of intercultural contact, language, and identity in a story that emphasizes both political intrigue and individual relationships. Approaching the novel through its literary, philosophical, and anthropological aspects of the work, we will discuss and consider all the above and more. Session 1: Context and introduction to the book. Introduction and Chapters 1-3 Session 2: Chapters 4-6 Session 3: Chapters 7-8 Session 4: Chapters 9-11 Session 5: Chapters 12-14 Session 6: Chapters 15-17 Session 7: Chapters 18-19 Session 8: Chapter 20, A Gethenian Calendar and Clock

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Many Voices, One Song: Leadership in Tolkien’s Middle-earth

Leadership is one of the most enduring and complex themes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. From reluctant leaders like Frodo to commanding figures such as Aragorn, Tolkien explores leadership not as a single style but as a dynamic interplay of voices, virtues, and choices. This course examines leade...

Leadership is one of the most enduring and complex themes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. From reluctant leaders like Frodo to commanding figures such as Aragorn, Tolkien explores leadership not as a single style but as a dynamic interplay of voices, virtues, and choices. This course examines leadership through Tolkien’s works using the GiANT 5 Voices framework, connecting modern leadership theory with literary analysis. Participants will identify their own leadership voice, analyze the leadership styles of key Tolkien characters, and explore practical leadership tools as they appear, explicitly or implicitly, within Middle-earth. The course culminates in applying these insights to real-world leadership contexts, helping learners grow as thoughtful, adaptable, and values-driven leaders. This course is ideal for all readers of Tolkien, leaders, and lifelong learners interested in the intersection of literature, leadership, and personal development. Course Outline Outline 8-Session Structure Week 1 Lecture 1: Discovering Your Leadership Voice Discussion 1: Leadership in Tolkien's World Week 2 Lecture 2: Leadership Voices in Middle-earth Discussion 2: Leadership Voices in Action Week 3 Lecture 3: Leadership Tools Discussion 3: Tools at Work through Tolkien Week 4 Lecture 4: Tapping into All Five Voices Discussion 4:

Precepted by Henry Wilson

June 2026

Media as Medicine: Iyashikei (癒し系) in Anime and Manga

Iyashikei (癒し系), or “healing type”, is a category of anime, manga, and games focused on healing the viewer by giving them a peaceful and relaxing experience. It achieves this with a focus on a beautiful environment, low-stakes stories, and a relaxing tone. In a time of natural disasters, po...

Iyashikei (癒し系), or “healing type”, is a category of anime, manga, and games focused on healing the viewer by giving them a peaceful and relaxing experience. It achieves this with a focus on a beautiful environment, low-stakes stories, and a relaxing tone. In a time of natural disasters, political turmoil, and pandemics, this calming style has grown in popularity, and its influence has been seen in many works that might not be considered iyashikei proper. In this module, we will consider many aspects of the type of story, including its history, its status as a genre (or not), its value for its audience, what really “counts” as iyashikei, and the appeal of a story in which, some say, “nothing much happens.” Please join us for a relaxing discussion that may or may not soothe your soul.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg and Aidan Aannestad

Meeting the Horned God of the Witches

The Horned God, alongside being modern paganism's most popular deity, enjoys a rich heritage in speculative fiction and popular culture. In this module, we will explore his ancient (and modern) origins, his appearances in both esoteric and popular literature, and his surprising role as an environmen...

The Horned God, alongside being modern paganism's most popular deity, enjoys a rich heritage in speculative fiction and popular culture. In this module, we will explore his ancient (and modern) origins, his appearances in both esoteric and popular literature, and his surprising role as an environmental figure. Throughout the module, students will gain familiarity with the four core figures that make up the Horned God (Pan, Cernunnos, the Sorcerer of Trois Freres, and Herne the Hunter), and key narratives associated with him. They will also have an opportunity to ponder the complex web of influences between modern paganism and speculative fiction. This module builds on the work of Margaret Murray and the module 'The Witch-Cult Hypothesis', but does not require prior knowledge of the material covered there.

Precepted by Dr. Anna Milon

Candidate May 2023 May 2025

Middle-earth Goes Anime: A Closer Look at The War of the Rohirrim

Focusing on The War of the Rohirrim, this module examines adaptation across mediums, cultures, and cinematic traditions. Students will analyze the film as an anime production, exploring its creators, aesthetic conventions, and cultural context, while also tracing its roots in Tolkien’s writin...

Focusing on The War of the Rohirrim, this module examines adaptation across mediums, cultures, and cinematic traditions. Students will analyze the film as an anime production, exploring its creators, aesthetic conventions, and cultural context, while also tracing its roots in Tolkien’s writings and Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth films. Emphasis will be placed on animation as a storytelling tool, character construction, visual language, and the challenges of expanding a mythic world through a new artistic form.

Precepted by Dr. Maggie Parke and Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

Narnia Book Club: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club as we read and discuss the magic of C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian . In this Book Club style module, each participant comes to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU guide the magic!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Narnia Book Club: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy and relaxed Book Club as we read and discuss the magic of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Narnia Book Club: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy, relaxed Book Club as we read and discuss the magic of C.S. Lewis's The Voyage of the Dawn Treader . In this Book Club style module, each participant comes to our Club meetings with their own reflections and discussion questions about the text. YOU guide the magic!

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Narnia Book Club: The Chronicles of Narnia Non-Sequential Series

Join Ms. Elise for a cozy and relaxed Book Club as we read and discuss the magic of C.S. Lewis’s highly esteemed series, The Chronicles of Narnia.

Precepted by Elise Trudel

Nordic Madness: Exploring Children's Literature in Three Nordic Authors

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 ...

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 emotions and beautiful imagery. You will need two books: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson.

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Over the Rainbow: The Many Incarnations of The Wizard of Oz

This module provides a broad survey of Oz's remarkable longevity as a franchise over the 20th and 21st centuries. We will discuss how Oz operates as a quintessentially American fairy tale that, like all fairy tales, is ripe for reinterpretation by each new generation. Session 1: Intro...

This module provides a broad survey of Oz's remarkable longevity as a franchise over the 20th and 21st centuries. We will discuss how Oz operates as a quintessentially American fairy tale that, like all fairy tales, is ripe for reinterpretation by each new generation. Session 1: Introduction to L. Frank Baum and the Oz franchise/The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900) Session 2: Bringing Oz to the big screen — The Wizard of Oz (dir. Victor Fleming, 1939) Section 3: Ozas 1970s Musical Extravaganza -- The Wiz (dir. Sidney Lumet, 1978) Section 4: Ozas 1980s Dark Fantasy -- iReturn to Oz (dir. Walter Murch, 1985) Session 5: Ozas Literary Fiction -- Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire Session 6: OzReinterpreted for the 21st Century: Wicked — Part One (dir. John Chu, 2024) Session 7: OzReinterpreted for the 21st Century, continued: Wicked — For Good (dir. John Chu, 2025) Session 8: Ozas American mythology — screening clips of other Ozadaptations not previously covered, as we discuss the question "What makes Oz so pervasive in American culture?"

Precepted by Dr. Thomas Johnson

Russian Fairy Tales: Journeys, Quests, and Chicken Legs

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...

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 brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, and the unforgettable Arabian Nights. Module Outline Session 1: Intro to Russian Folklore and Fairy Tales Session 2: Tales of Magic Session 3: Animals Helpers Session 4: Fables and Everyday Stories Session 5: Stories of Brave Heroes – Part 1 Session 6: Stories of Brave Heroes – Part 2 Session 7: Journeys and Marvels Session 8: On Pushkin’s Fairy Tales

Precepted by Pilar Barrera

She Watered It With her Tears: Grief, Mourning, and Death in Tolkien's Legendarium

Among the many themes Tolkien contemplates through his legendarium, that of grief and mourning is prominent. In this class, we will unfold the implications of expressions of grief and mourning in his work. For example, why do lamentations matter, and how might they offer healing? Why does Nienna w...

Among the many themes Tolkien contemplates through his legendarium, that of grief and mourning is prominent. In this class, we will unfold the implications of expressions of grief and mourning in his work. For example, why do lamentations matter, and how might they offer healing? Why does Nienna weep? Are there cases of “inappropriate” grief? What roles do grief and mourning play in the creation of wisdom and beauty? Does Elven grief have special characteristics? What about that of Dwarves and Humans? We will explore these topics and more.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Candidate

Signum Classics: A Christmas Carol / The Chimes

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Let’s finish the year by savoring two of Dickens’ Christmas tales! A Christmas Carol is a beloved classic for a reason. Bitter and lonesome, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge loathes Christmas and everyt...

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Let’s finish the year by savoring two of Dickens’ Christmas tales! A Christmas Carol is a beloved classic for a reason. Bitter and lonesome, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge loathes Christmas and everything to do with it. Three ghostly visitations will show Scrooge the error of his ways, taking him on a transformative journey toward redemption. Published one year later, The Chimes is one of Dickens’ lesser-known Christmas stories. A poor man, the elderly Toby ("Trotty") Veck is convinced he and his family deserve their wretched condition. Is there any point giving his blessing for his daughter Meg to marry? A vision brought on by goblins invites him toward a gentler and more merciful understanding of the world, reminding him of the power of love at the turning of the new year. Together, these two Christmas novellas give readers hope in the face of poverty and despair.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

November 2026

Signum Classics: Dracula

"Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" Let’s sink our teeth into Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel that defined vampire literature. In misty Transylvania, Jonathan Harker is lured into the shadow-haunted castle of Count Dracula. Hungry for dominion over the ...

"Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" Let’s sink our teeth into Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel that defined vampire literature. In misty Transylvania, Jonathan Harker is lured into the shadow-haunted castle of Count Dracula. Hungry for dominion over the living, the undead Dracula will stop at nothing to feed his craving for blood. As Dracula’s dark influence spreads to London, a desperate band of heroes must rally their courage and unravel ancient secrets to stand against the corruption that stalks the night. Narrated through letters, diaries, and telegrams, Dracula combines modern storytelling with ancient folklore, immersing the reader into a world of baleful desire and ageless bloodthirst.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr
with guest lecturer Dr. Sara Brown

Spotlight March 2026

Signum Classics: Frankenstein

“Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?” It’s spooky season, so let’s read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein! Consumed by his need to unlock the secrets of life, scientist Victor Frankenstein pieces together a living being from body parts of the dead...

“Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?” It’s spooky season, so let’s read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein! Consumed by his need to unlock the secrets of life, scientist Victor Frankenstein pieces together a living being from body parts of the dead. Horrified by his own creation, Frankenstein casts it aside. His misshapen offspring craves love and acceptance, but meets only revulsion and cruelty. As their lives spiral toward revenge and ruin, Frankenstein and his monster must confront the terrifying cost of playing God. A foundational text of gothic horror and science fiction, Mary Shelley explores profound ethical questions with compassion and humanity.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

October 2026

Signum Classics: Lilith

“I tell you there are more worlds, and more doors to them, than you will think of in many years!” Let’s read George MacDonald’s darkest fantasy! Exploring his family’s haunted residence, Mr. Vane uncovers a portal to a strange mirror dimension. He plunges into a parallel realm where ravens s...

“I tell you there are more worlds, and more doors to them, than you will think of in many years!” Let’s read George MacDonald’s darkest fantasy! Exploring his family’s haunted residence, Mr. Vane uncovers a portal to a strange mirror dimension. He plunges into a parallel realm where ravens speak, skeletons do battle, and sleepers dream of a world redeemed… And where Lilith, exile of Eden, holds dominion. A mesmerizing allegory of death and salvation, Lilith exerted a powerful influence on C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. H.P. Lovecraft hailed MacDonald’s novel for its “compelling bizarrerie.”

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

June 2026

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 amb...

“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 ambitious Amy. The lives of the four March sisters have inspired several movies and continue to be popular. A beloved classic and based largely on autobiographical information, Little Women has never been out of print since it was published in 1868. Louisa May Alcott’s novel is more than a cozy tale of 19th-century family life; it’s a surprisingly sharp study of character and the role of women. This module focuses on Part 1 where the March sisters grapple with poverty, society’s expectations, and their own turbulent desires. We’ll move beyond nostalgia to examine the novel’s active tensions: Jo’s fierce independence, Meg’s longing for luxury, Beth’s selfless contentment, and Amy’s social ambition. We’ll also discuss how Alcott’s classic poses a question still relevant today: How do we forge our own path while staying true to the ones we love?

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr and Pilar Barrera

August 2026

Signum Classics: Phantastes

“It is no use trying to account for things in Fairy Land; and one who travels there soon learns to forget the idea of doing so…” Let us wander into George MacDonald’s dreamlike Phantastes, the first fantasy novel for adults! Having just come of age, Anados wakes to find himself swept ...

“It is no use trying to account for things in Fairy Land; and one who travels there soon learns to forget the idea of doing so…” Let us wander into George MacDonald’s dreamlike Phantastes, the first fantasy novel for adults! Having just come of age, Anados wakes to find himself swept into the fairy realm. Wandering through its sun-dappled woods, he is hunted by his own sinister shadow. Compelled to face malevolent trees, questing knights and living statues, Anados will come face-to-face with his own mortality, emerging forever changed… Rich with lyrical prose and fantastic imagery, Phantastes takes you on a journey like no other, which will stay with you far beyond its end.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

May 2026

Signum Classics: The House of the Wolfings

A most fell warrior was he, whose deeds no man of the Mark could equal… Let’s read a tale that directly inspired Tolkien! Deep in the primordial Mirkwood, the free folk of the Mid-mark must take up arms to protect their home. When the Roman war machine rolls across their lands, the Valkyri...

A most fell warrior was he, whose deeds no man of the Mark could equal… Let’s read a tale that directly inspired Tolkien! Deep in the primordial Mirkwood, the free folk of the Mid-mark must take up arms to protect their home. When the Roman war machine rolls across their lands, the Valkyrie Wood-Sun and warrior chief Thiodolf rally their clan to save their idyllic way of life. An epic romance of survival and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds, William Morris weaves his tale through archaizing prose and verse. Inspired by Norse storytelling, The House of the Wolfings is by turns bloody and otherworldly, a celebration of community and the natural world.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

July 2026

Signum Classics: The Princess and the Goblin / The Princess and Curdie

“Seeing is not believing—it is only seeing.” The first modern novels to take place entirely in an imaginary world, George MacDonald’s fantasies were formative in the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In this module, we’ll read MacDonald's children’s novels, as well as his essay,...

“Seeing is not believing—it is only seeing.” The first modern novels to take place entirely in an imaginary world, George MacDonald’s fantasies were formative in the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In this module, we’ll read MacDonald's children’s novels, as well as his essay, "The Fantastic Imagination." Eight-year-old Princess Irene is forbidden from exploring her father’s castle. Little does she suspect that hordes of goblins dwell beneath her feet, scheming to overrun the kingdom. Soon, a chance encounter with heroic miner (and occasional poet) Curdie sweeps Irene into an adventure of which she never dreamed. Enter a world where legends rise from a labyrinth under the earth and immortal grandmothers bestow magic rings from above, where rhymes drive back monsters and belief reveals the path home.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

April 2026

Signum Classics: The Roots of the Mountains (Part 1)

“And there abide the ghosts of those that may not rest; and there wander the dwarfs and the mountain-dwellers, the dealers in marvels, the givers of gifts that destroy Houses…” Over two months, let’s read The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris! Ensconced at the roots of the mou...

“And there abide the ghosts of those that may not rest; and there wander the dwarfs and the mountain-dwellers, the dealers in marvels, the givers of gifts that destroy Houses…” Over two months, let’s read The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris! Ensconced at the roots of the mountains, the peaceful Dalemen are craftspeople, woodsmen and shepherds. Only the restless Face-of-God dares to roam beyond the safe confines of his village. In the wilds, he soon discovers his world is far from safe, as the Huns are poised to invade Dale and cast its people into slavery. Taking up his sword alongside the beautiful Sun-Beam, Face-of-God vows to protect his folk at any cost. Only by bringing together the disparate tribes of the Dale do they have any hope of victory. William Morris returns to the world of wights and shield maidens. An epic of bravery and sacrifice, imbued with a deep love of Norse myth, Morris revives the medieval romance tradition where true love endures against terrible foes.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

August 2026

Signum Classics: The Roots of the Mountains (Part 2)

“And there abide the ghosts of those that may not rest; and there wander the dwarfs and the mountain-dwellers, the dealers in marvels, the givers of gifts that destroy Houses…” Over two months, let’s read The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris! Ensconced at the roots of the mou...

“And there abide the ghosts of those that may not rest; and there wander the dwarfs and the mountain-dwellers, the dealers in marvels, the givers of gifts that destroy Houses…” Over two months, let’s read The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris! Ensconced at the roots of the mountains, the peaceful Dalemen are craftspeople, woodsmen and shepherds. Only the restless Face-of-God dares to roam beyond the safe confines of his village. In the wilds, he soon discovers his world is far from safe, as the Huns are poised to invade Dale and cast its people into slavery. Taking up his sword alongside the beautiful Sun-Beam, Face-of-God vows to protect his folk at any cost. Only by bringing together the disparate tribes of the Dale do they have any hope of victory. William Morris returns to the world of wights and shield maidens. An epic of bravery and sacrifice, imbued with a deep love of Norse myth, Morris revives the medieval romance tradition where true love endures against terrible foes.

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

September 2026

Signum Classics Series Non-Sequential Series

Precepted by Dr. Julian Barr

1: Spotlight 1: March 2026

Star Wars: Mysteries of the Force

In this module, we will discuss the aspects of the Force as depicted in Star Wars films, tv, and video games. We will look at specific characters and cults (Jedi v. Sith, the Bendu, Nightsisters, etc.) to understand where they fit in the wider mythology far far away, as well as other mystical motifs...

In this module, we will discuss the aspects of the Force as depicted in Star Wars films, tv, and video games. We will look at specific characters and cults (Jedi v. Sith, the Bendu, Nightsisters, etc.) to understand where they fit in the wider mythology far far away, as well as other mystical motifs and ideas (Mortis, the World Between Worlds). There are tons of different topics to choose from, so there will be plenty to discuss in this course.

Precepted by Joshua Sosa

Candidate

Susan Cooper: Ghost Hawk

In Ghost Hawk, Susan Cooper turns her lyrical storytelling toward the early years of colonial America, weaving a tale that bridges worlds divided by culture, history, and loss. The story begins with Little Hawk, a young member of the Wampanoag people, who must face a solitary test of survival...

In Ghost Hawk, Susan Cooper turns her lyrical storytelling toward the early years of colonial America, weaving a tale that bridges worlds divided by culture, history, and loss. The story begins with Little Hawk, a young member of the Wampanoag people, who must face a solitary test of survival that will mark his passage into adulthood. When tragedy strikes, his path becomes bound to that of John Wakely, an English settler boy, and together their intertwined lives reveal both the possibilities of friendship and the devastating consequences of misunderstanding and conquest. Over eight sessions, we will read and discuss Ghost Hawk as both historical fiction and spiritual reflection, exploring Cooper’s portrayal of contact between Native and English worlds and her meditation on memory, belonging, and the legacies of colonization. We will situate the novel within its historical context—the early seventeenth century in New England—and examine how Cooper uses elements of myth and the supernatural to confront enduring questions of justice, identity, and reconciliation. Through guided discussion and close reading, we’ll consider howGhost Hawk challenges us to listen to the voices of the past and to think deeply about the stories a landscape holds.

Precepted by Dr. Maggie Parke

Susan Cooper: King of Shadows

In King of Shadows, Susan Cooper weaves together time travel, theatre, and history to create a powerful story about loss, belonging, and the transformative power of art. When young American actor Nat Field joins a troupe performing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the newly rebuilt Globe Theatr...

In King of Shadows, Susan Cooper weaves together time travel, theatre, and history to create a powerful story about loss, belonging, and the transformative power of art. When young American actor Nat Field joins a troupe performing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the newly rebuilt Globe Theatre, he is mysteriously transported to Elizabethan London, where he finds himself acting alongside none other than William Shakespeare. As Nat navigates the dangers and wonders of sixteenth-century England, he begins to discover what connects him—across time and grief—to the playwright and to the play itself. Over the course of this month-long, eight-session class, we will read and discuss Cooper’s novel in depth, exploring its key themes of identity, friendship, healing, and the endurance of creativity. We will also consider the historical and theatrical context of Elizabethan London, Shakespeare’s world and works, and the way Cooper blends fantasy and realism to bridge centuries. Through guided discussions and close reading, we’ll reflect on how King of Shadows speaks to both the past and the present, and why the story continues to resonate with readers today.

Precepted by Dr. Maggie Parke

Tales of Korea: Core Traditional Tales

This module seeks to introduce students to some of the core stories at the heart of Korean society. The module will include an exploration of the foundation myth of Dan Gun, the Tale of Shim Cheong, two other P'ansori tales, an exploration of Hong Gil Dong (Korea's "Robin Hood"), and a few shorter f...

This module seeks to introduce students to some of the core stories at the heart of Korean society. The module will include an exploration of the foundation myth of Dan Gun, the Tale of Shim Cheong, two other P'ansori tales, an exploration of Hong Gil Dong (Korea's "Robin Hood"), and a few shorter folk tales.

Precepted by Sam Roche

Candidate

The Anime Films of Shinkai Makoto 新海誠

Shinkai Makoto is an anime director whose films are known for the hyperrealistic beauty of their background art, but also for their star-crossed lovers and the way they play with time. Shinkai's films are often considered "sekai-kei"; that is, the world may be in crisis, but we see this crisis from ...

Shinkai Makoto is an anime director whose films are known for the hyperrealistic beauty of their background art, but also for their star-crossed lovers and the way they play with time. Shinkai's films are often considered "sekai-kei"; that is, the world may be in crisis, but we see this crisis from the point of view of individual lives. In this module, we will watch several films, based on availability, as per the proposed outline below. Session 1: Biography, influences, context, short films, and Voices of a Distant Star Session 2: The Place Promised in Our Early Days Session 3: 5 Centimeters per Second Session 4 :Your Name Session 5: Your Name, continued Session 6: Weathering With You Session 7: Weathering with You, continued Session 8: Suzume

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

The Body in Tolkien's Legendarium

This module will focus on bodies in Middle-earth from a multitude of directions and fields of enquiry. We will address fascinating subjects such as Sauron's body, the physical differences between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White and the age old question "Do Balrogs have wings?" [No, the case i...

This module will focus on bodies in Middle-earth from a multitude of directions and fields of enquiry. We will address fascinating subjects such as Sauron's body, the physical differences between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White and the age old question "Do Balrogs have wings?" [No, the case is not settled on this.] We will explore how Tolkien writes about gendered and racialized bodies and how he uses slap-stick carnivalesque bodily humor in The Hobbit. We will explore the artwork and film images too. The point will be that bodies very much mattered in the narratives that make up Tolkien's Cauldron of Story, and they matter in his Legendarium!

Precepted by Dr. Chris Vaccaro

Candidate June 2024

The Dark is Rising Sequence Non-Sequential Series

This is the landing page for Dr. Sara Brown's series on The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper. Using the links on this page, you can explore each member of this series by going to its associated module page for more details. Note that students can jump in at any month/part of the series...

This is the landing page for Dr. Sara Brown's series on The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper. Using the links on this page, you can explore each member of this series by going to its associated module page for more details. Note that students can jump in at any month/part of the series. There are no prerequisites. 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.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

The Dark is Rising Sequence: Greenwitch

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 ofte...

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 third of the series, we return to Cornwall with the Drew children and encounter more of the Cornish folklore and traditions we first saw inn Over Sea, Under Stone. Like the previous books in the series, this is an atmospheric and eerie story, steeped in magic and ancient folklore. The ‘Greenwitch’ of the title is a giant effigy made of sticks in the form of a woman, constructed by the women of Trewissick and sacrificed to the sea in a yearly ritual – not just an inanimate object, but a living being, with a mind of her own. This is ‘Wild Magic’, or the magic of nature, another element in the ongoing battle between Light and Dark. The Greenwitch holds the key to understanding the Grail, but the children will have to persuade her to give up her secrets before the agents of the Dark get there first. 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

The Dark is Rising Sequence: Over Sea, Under Stone

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 ofte...

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 first of the series, Cooper introduces us to the folklore of Cornwall, interweaving ancient customs with a modern confrontation against forces of evil. 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

The Dark is Rising Sequence: Silver on the Tree

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 ofte...

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. “‘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 Dark is Rising Sequence: The Dark Is Rising

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 ofte...

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 second of the series, we are introduced to Will Stanton, who is approaching his 11th birthday. On Midwinter’s Eve, the day before his birthday, there is an atmosphere of fear that pervades the otherwise familiar countryside around him, but is the day itself that will be a birthday like no other. On that day, Will discovers that he has the power of the Old Ones, and that he must embark on a quest to vanquish the terrifyingly evil magic of the Dark. 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

The Dark is Rising Sequence: The Grey King

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 ofte...

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 fourth of the series, we are back with Will Stanton, who has been dangerously ill and has been sent to his aunt’s farm in Wales to recuperate. During Will’s illness, he has forgotten the details of the quest begun in the previous novels, but as his memories slowly return, he remembers that his next task is to find the golden harp that will awaken six sleepers who will join the final battle between Dark and Light. The villain this time is the Brenin Llwyd, or the ‘Grey King’, an ancient and powerful Lord of the Dark who lives high in the mountains, his breath forming a ragged grey mist that can be seen for miles around. 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 Fantastic in East Asia

Come join us as we explore various aspects of the weird, the strange, the uncanny, the dreamlike, and the visionary in East Asian literature, religion, folktales, poetry, and popular media. Whether it is ecstatic visions in Daoist texts, shamanistic expressions in Chinese poetry, gumiho and ghosts i...

Come join us as we explore various aspects of the weird, the strange, the uncanny, the dreamlike, and the visionary in East Asian literature, religion, folktales, poetry, and popular media. Whether it is ecstatic visions in Daoist texts, shamanistic expressions in Chinese poetry, gumiho and ghosts in KDramas, or stories such as that of the Yuki Onna (Snow Woman) in Japanese folklore, we’ll explore them all (and perhaps more!) in this class.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

October 2023

The History, People, and Culture of Tolkien's Númenor

With the publication of The Fall of Númenor (November 2022) we finally have much of Tolkien’s writing on this period in the history Middle-earth drawn together in one place. This offers a unique opportunity, at a moment when the island of Númenor has come to greater public awareness via Amazo...

With the publication of The Fall of Númenor (November 2022) we finally have much of Tolkien’s writing on this period in the history Middle-earth drawn together in one place. This offers a unique opportunity, at a moment when the island of Númenor has come to greater public awareness via Amazon’s show ‘The Rings of Power’, to fully examine this aspect of Tolkien’s secondary world. In this course, we will explore the history of Númenor, with particular focus on important events, significant people, the geography of the island, and the evolving culture of the Númenóreans.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

November 2022

The Imperial Radch Series: Ancillary Justice

Fascinating and highly acclaimed, Ancillary Justice, the first book in Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch series, explores the consequences of imperialism and the nature of identity through the experience of a multiple-bodied protagonist who has lived as both a ship and a human being. Philosophica...

Fascinating and highly acclaimed, Ancillary Justice, the first book in Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch series, explores the consequences of imperialism and the nature of identity through the experience of a multiple-bodied protagonist who has lived as both a ship and a human being. Philosophically, the novel is interested in language, culture, gender, revenge, and the nature of personal responsibility, among other things; from a literary point of view, it is in deep conversation with its science-fiction ancestors and employs an interesting non-linear narrative structure. In this module, we will discuss all the above and more.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

The Imperial Radch Series: Ancillary Mercy

Ancillary Mercy, the conclusion to the Imperial Radch trilogy, pulls together the themes and threads of the previous novels. Continuing the trilogy’s meditations on identity, culture, and power, it delves into the meaning of personhood and the question of how to build a good society, especia...

Ancillary Mercy, the conclusion to the Imperial Radch trilogy, pulls together the themes and threads of the previous novels. Continuing the trilogy’s meditations on identity, culture, and power, it delves into the meaning of personhood and the question of how to build a good society, especially when starting from a deeply damaged and corrupt one. This book is deeply interested in alterity, forgiveness, and the possibility of building relationships among those with deep differences. In this module, we will discuss all the above and more, as well as what we can learn about the mysterious Presger.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

The Imperial Radch Series: Ancillary Sword

`The second book in the Imperial Radch series, Ancillary Sword continues the story and builds on the themes of Ancillary Justice. In this book, we get a closer look at both the society of the colonized and the particulars of administration within the Radch. The novel casts a critical eye on...

`The second book in the Imperial Radch series, Ancillary Sword continues the story and builds on the themes of Ancillary Justice. In this book, we get a closer look at both the society of the colonized and the particulars of administration within the Radch. The novel casts a critical eye on colonial policy and its systems of control, and considers the possibilities of resistance. This installment of the series continues the themes of identity and culture, politics and compassion, tea and translation. In this module, we will discuss all the above and more.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

The Imperial Radch Series: Unpacking a Sci-Fi Masterwork in Three Acts Non-Sequential Series

In these modules, we’ll dig into Ann Leckie’s acclaimed science fiction series, the Imperial Radch. While they are in conversation with many other science fiction predecessors, these books offer unique worldbuilding and a sharp perspective on the complicated cultures they depict. Thematically, this...

In these modules, we’ll dig into Ann Leckie’s acclaimed science fiction series, the Imperial Radch. While they are in conversation with many other science fiction predecessors, these books offer unique worldbuilding and a sharp perspective on the complicated cultures they depict. Thematically, this series is deeply interested in questions of identity and imperialism. The spaceships of the Radch are equipped with an unusual type of artificial intelligence which is embodied both in the ship and in a series of human bodies known as “ancillaries,” all of which are simultaneously managed by the same consciousness. The story follows one such ancillary, Breq, who has lost all of her bodies except for one. Along the way, we come to understand the consequences of imperialism, and we’re invited to think about how they affect the identities of both the colonizers and the colonized – not to mention someone like Breq, whose identity is inherently complex. There is a good deal to consider here in terms of language, culture, power, personal responsibility, and the possibility of resistance. The first book, Ancillary Justice, introduces us to Breq, the Radch, and her quest for revenge, while also raising questions about Breq’s complicity with the empire that created her. In the second book, Ancillary Sword, we get a better look at life within the empire, as Breq makes new allies and comes to understand the realities of Radchaai policy. Finally, Ancillary Mercy explores the relationship between the Radch and the mysterious Presger and the possibility of building relationships with those who are deeply Other. In this series of modules, we will work through these novels together, considering the themes outlined above and perhaps others that module participants may notice. We will rely primarily on discussion, perhaps with some preceptor framing and commentary.

Precepted by Nancy "Anni" Foasberg

The Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, Barfield, and Williams

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 m...

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.

Precepted by Dr. Gabriel Schenk

November 2025

The Nature of Things: Shards of the Fall in Tolkien's Work

Throughout Tolkien's works, the sense of loss is pervasive, building upon Tolkien's personal belief that to create myth was to engage the cultural awareness of a past "fall." This course will analyze Tolkien's most obvious allusions to a Fall in the legendarium, while looking at literary examples of...

Throughout Tolkien's works, the sense of loss is pervasive, building upon Tolkien's personal belief that to create myth was to engage the cultural awareness of a past "fall." This course will analyze Tolkien's most obvious allusions to a Fall in the legendarium, while looking at literary examples of a "Fall" in society of which Tolkien built upon. Session One: "There must be a Fall": Tolkien's idea of story-telling Session Two: The Biblical Back Drop Session Three: The Greek Awareness Session Four: The Fall of Rome Session Five: The Great War Session Six: The Attraction of the North: The Nordic Influence Session Seven: Modernity's theft Session Eight: Life as Teacher: Tolkien's Loss

Precepted by Jay Moses

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 1 (Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and onli...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry. Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series. Note: Dr. Olsen's first bonus lecture will occur on Sat. Nov 16 at 9:30 AM Eastern. Moreover, this first lecture will be unique in that it will be the kick-off to our Fall Space Showcase (Registration is open!). The showcase is a FREE event and therefore will be accessible to all showcase participants (and afterwards disseminated to all students enrolled in Poetic Corpus in November 2024).

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturers James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 2 (Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most...

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry. Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturers James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Early Poems 3 (Volume 1: The Years 1910-1919)

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most...

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry. Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturers James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Later Poems 1 (Volume 3: The Years 1931-1967)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer Dr. Chris Vaccaro

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Later Poems 2 (Volume 3: The Years 1931-1967)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer Patrick Lyon

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Later Poems 3 (Volume 3: The Years 1931-1967)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 3 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer Dr. Chris Vaccaro

January 2026 (3) January 2026 (2) January 2026 (1)

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Mature Years 1 (Volume 2: The Years 1919-1931)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry. Week 1 Lecture – The Introduction + The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin Class - Light as Leaf on Lind · As Light as Leaf on Lindentree ·The Tale of Tinúviel/ Nieninqe · Nieninque/ The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin/ The Golden Dragon · Túrin Son of Húrin and Glórund the Dragon · The Children of Húrin (alliterative) · Winter Comes to Nargothrond/ The Clerkes Compleinte Week 2 Lecture - Iúmonna Gold Galdre Bewunden · The Hoard Class - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/ Enigmata Saxonica Nuper Inventa Duo/ Úþwita Sceal Ealdgesægenum/ Moonshine Week 3 James Tauber Lecture - Class - The Nameless Land · The Song of Ælfwine/ Ave atque Vale · Lines Composed on an Evening · Lines Composed in a Village Inn/ From One to Five/ Ruddoc Hana/ Ides Ælfscýne/ Bagmē Blōma Week 4 Lecture - Pēro & Pōdex · The Root of the Boot · Sam’s Song · The Stone Troll Class – Éadig Béo Þu/ Ofer Wídne Gársecg/ I Sat upon a Bench/ Frenchmen Froth/ Lit’ and Lang’

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer James Tauber

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Mature Years 2 (Volume 2: The Years 1919-1931)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer James Tauber

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: The Mature Years 3 (Volume 2: The Years 1919-1931)

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing...

Module description from Dr. Sara Brown (Lecturing Preceptor): In this triad of modules we explore Volume 2 of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: Three-Volume Box Set, edited by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. All are welcome to join the class whether new to the series or continuing from a previous module! JRR Tolkien one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. But now for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturer Dr. Chris Vaccaro

The Poetic Corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien: Tolkien's Collected Poems (The Years 1910-1967 in Three Volumes) Non-Sequential Series

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most...

JRR Tolkien is one of those rare authors whose poetry is as accomplished as his prose writing. Up to this point, though, those who wished to focus primarily on Tolkien’s poetry had to access a significant number of books and online resources to do so, as they were scattered far and wide. Now, a Most Delightful Event has occurred – for the first time, a collected volume of Tolkien’s poetry is available, and it is a Tome of Significant Size! In this hybrid course, we will read and discuss a selection of these poems, enjoying them for their aesthetic appeal as well as analysing them for Tolkien’s style, use of language, and the poetic forms he employed. This is a hybrid course, in which one class per week will be a lecture and the second class will be group discussion. There are so many poems in these volumes that the intention is to spread the course over several months. If you can’t make one or more of the months, feel free to dip in and out as suits you! I am also delighted to announce that one lecture session per month will be led by the one and only James Tauber, who will focus on language and the formal elements of the poetry. Bonus Lecture from Dr. Olsen each month! We are delighted to announce that each month Dr. Corey Olsen will offer a bonus lecture on Tolkien's poetry. Each month the SPACE team will share Dr. Olsen's bonus lecture with all enrolled students that month in The Poetic Corpus of J. R. R. Tolkien series.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown
with guest lecturers James Tauber and Dr. Corey Olsen and Dr. Chris Vaccaro and Patrick Lyon

November 2024 9: January 2026 (3) 9: January 2026 (2) 9: January 2026 (1)

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book I)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book II)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book III)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book IV)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings: Books I - VI (The Music of Middle-earth series) Non-Sequential Series

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

3: 4: 5: 6:

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book V)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Poetry of The Lord of the Rings (Book VI)

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The...

An in depth discussion of the various musical settings of all the poems in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss each poem and its surrounding prose, as it pertains to musical adaptation, before digging into the arrangements that have been recorded of the poem. Most poems in The Lord of the Rings have been recorded several times.

Precepted by Jack Schabert

The Realm of Arnor

This module will be about the history and lore of the realm of Arnor. It will cover its geography, kings, civil war, wars with Angmar, and important artifact sites.

Precepted by Knewbetta

May 2023

'The Rings of Power' Discussion Group

The wait is over and the second season of Amazon's Tolkien-inspired series is upon us! Already, this series has stimulated much heated discussion across various social media, with the images and trailers dividing opinion among Tolkien fans. In this discussion group, we will watch the show and discus...

The wait is over and the second season of Amazon's Tolkien-inspired series is upon us! Already, this series has stimulated much heated discussion across various social media, with the images and trailers dividing opinion among Tolkien fans. In this discussion group, we will watch the show and discuss what we have seen, linking it to what we already know about Tolkien’s creation, and exploring the ways in which ‘The Rings of Power’ is extending the world of Middle-earth. Access to copies of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is desirable. Prior knowledge of the texts is also desirable, but you could manage without. Knowledge of The History of Middle-earth series and The Unfinished Tales is a bonus!

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown and James Tauber

The Second Age of Middle-earth

The Second Age of Middle-earth saw the rise and fall of Númenor, the rise and (apparent) fall of Sauron, and the creation of the Rings of Power. This course will look at the events of the Second Age with readings from LOTR (especially Appendix A and B), Unfinished Tales, and The Silmarilli...

The Second Age of Middle-earth saw the rise and fall of Númenor, the rise and (apparent) fall of Sauron, and the creation of the Rings of Power. This course will look at the events of the Second Age with readings from LOTR (especially Appendix A and B), Unfinished Tales, and The Silmarillion. It will also be of particular interest to people who want to know more about the Second Age in light of the Amazon Prime series, The Rings of Power.

Precepted by James Tauber

The Witch in Fact and Fiction

The witch is one of the most contentious figures of the present day: from victim of persecution to stock character to magical practitioner the witch embodies our fears and desires. In the Anglosphere, the witch has been actively reimagined since at least the late nineteenth century. This module tack...

The witch is one of the most contentious figures of the present day: from victim of persecution to stock character to magical practitioner the witch embodies our fears and desires. In the Anglosphere, the witch has been actively reimagined since at least the late nineteenth century. This module tackles some popular myths associated with the witch, explores their origins, and ask how these myths are used today. Are witches always female? Why do they fly on broomsticks and wear pointy hats? And where does a witch’s magic come from? The module answers these and other questions using a mix of historical, esoteric, literary and critical texts that get to the crux of how witches are depicted in fiction and history, and what witches themselves have to say about that.

Precepted by Dr. Anna Milon

January 2026

The Women of Beowulf

Yes, there are indeed women in Beowulf. Vital and potent women in fact. From the valkyrie-esque figures to the weeping peace-weavers, a broad spectrum of women characters exists as both historical representation and imaginative mythology. Grendel's Mother is ferocious and masculine. Hildebur...

Yes, there are indeed women in Beowulf. Vital and potent women in fact. From the valkyrie-esque figures to the weeping peace-weavers, a broad spectrum of women characters exists as both historical representation and imaginative mythology. Grendel's Mother is ferocious and masculine. Hildeburh laments the death of her brother and son before being carried off. Modthryth behaves like a sadistic queen. Wealhtheow is mindful of so much in her husband's hall. Freawaru seems destined for tragedy. And could the dragon be a female too? Maria Headley seems to think so. This module will explore this topic using dual-language editions of texts so we can see the original language alongside translations by J.R.R. Tolkien, Roy Liuzza, and Maria Headley.

Precepted by Dr. Chris Vaccaro

Tolkien and Alchemy

Transformation and the process of transformation, either physical or of the self, is a significant theme in Tolkien’s writing and appears throughout the Middle-earth legendarium. In this SPACE course, we will explore how the practice, philosophy and symbolism of alchemy resonate in the texts and pro...

Transformation and the process of transformation, either physical or of the self, is a significant theme in Tolkien’s writing and appears throughout the Middle-earth legendarium. In this SPACE course, we will explore how the practice, philosophy and symbolism of alchemy resonate in the texts and provide another way to read the changes that are apparent throughout. Amongst other topics, we will look at the Music of the Ainur and Tolkien’s creation myth, the recurring symbolism of the alchemical colours: Black, White and Red, the metaphor of Gold, the nature of the One Ring, and Frodo as alchemical subject.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Candidate Spotlight April 2026

Tolkien and the Classical World

Based on the preceptor's edited volume, Tolkien and the Classical World, this module takes students on a tour of the classical influences and ideas on the life, writings, and thought of English fantasy writer ...

Based on the preceptor's edited volume, Tolkien and the Classical World, this module takes students on a tour of the classical influences and ideas on the life, writings, and thought of English fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien, while also introducing seminal Greco-Roman texts to those without any classical background.

Precepted by Dr. Hamish Williams

May 2024

Tolkien and the Romantics: Nature and Ecology

J.R.R. Tolkien's revolutionary depictions of nature have inspired many to respect and cherish the environment. However, if we journeyed back two hundred years, we would discover that radical British Romantic authors were also challenging how readers perceived their surroundings! In this module, we w...

J.R.R. Tolkien's revolutionary depictions of nature have inspired many to respect and cherish the environment. However, if we journeyed back two hundred years, we would discover that radical British Romantic authors were also challenging how readers perceived their surroundings! In this module, we will use ecology to explore the many parallels and contrasts between Tolkien's Arda and the Romantic's portrayals of nature big and small: mountains and meadows, woods and wildernesses, daffodils and dead marshes. This will include examining how characters react to the environment, nature's existence as separate from our own, and the broader concern of the Industrial Revolution's destructive potential. The module will follow an 8-lesson structure as follows: • Lecture 1: Visions of Nature • Workshop 1: What do your Elf-eyes see? • Lecture 2: All things Sublime and Beautiful • Workshop 2: Sublime, Beautiful, or both at once?! • Lecture 3: I want to see mountains! • Workshop 3: One with our environment • Lecture 4: Ecology without Humanity • Workshop 4: What is actually out there beyond the Human sphere? Note: The hybrid 8-lesson structure above is the new format for this module moving forward.

Precepted by Will Sherwood

Tolkien and the Sea

From the subcreation of Ulmo to travels from Cornwall to Avallonë, the Sea has played a special role in Tolkien’s world. This module looks at key instances of the Sea’s appearance in his writing corpus so that fellow readers can more fully appreciate the haunting beauty of water’s meaning and Tolkie...

From the subcreation of Ulmo to travels from Cornwall to Avallonë, the Sea has played a special role in Tolkien’s world. This module looks at key instances of the Sea’s appearance in his writing corpus so that fellow readers can more fully appreciate the haunting beauty of water’s meaning and Tolkien’s imaginative ability. We will be reading excerpts from Tolkien’s legendarium, poetry, and creative historical works.

Precepted by Jennifer Rogers

Tolkien as Mythmaker: The Architecture of Middle-earth

This course examines how J.R.R. Tolkien constructed his secondary world with the deliberate craft of a mythmaker and the precision of a master architect. Designed for participants already familiar with Tolkien's major works, the course delves into the rich philosophical, linguistic, and cultural fou...

This course examines how J.R.R. Tolkien constructed his secondary world with the deliberate craft of a mythmaker and the precision of a master architect. Designed for participants already familiar with Tolkien's major works, the course delves into the rich philosophical, linguistic, and cultural foundations of Middle-earth. Each discussion session analyses the building blocks of Tolkien's mythological framework: his theory of subcreation, cosmological blueprints, linguistic foundations, character archetypes, moral frameworks, environmental design, and how these elements combine to create an enduring fictional universe. Participants will engage with primary texts alongside Tolkien's essays, letters, and posthumously published materials to gain deeper appreciation of how his scholarly background in philology and medieval literature informed his creative vision—illuminating how Tolkien constructed one of literature's most enduring secondary worlds. Session 1: The Mythmaker’s Vision Learning Objectives: • Understand Tolkien’s theory of subcreation and its theological underpinnings • Examine how Tolkien’s academic background influenced his creative work • Introduce key concepts that will frame the entire course Session 2: Creation Myths and Cosmology Learning Objectives: • Analyze Tolkien’s creation myth and its structural significance • Compare Tolkien’s cosmology with other world mythologies • Understand how Tolkien’s cosmological foundation shapes his entire legendarium Session 3: Languages as Cultural Foundation Learning Objectives: • Examine how Tolkien’s invented languages shape his fictional cultures • Analyse the relationship between language evolution and historical events in Middle-earth • Experience the aesthetic qualities of Tolkien’s linguistic creations Session 4: The Hero’s Journey Through Ages Learning Objectives: • Trace the evolution of heroic archetypes Session 5: Power and Corruption Learning Objectives: • Analyse the Ring as a symbol of power and its corrupting influence • Compare various characters’ responses to power and temptation • Explore Tolkien’s views on power, authority, and moral choice Session 6: Death, Immortality and Time Learning Objectives: • Understand Tolkien’s treatment of mortality as a gift rather than a curse • Explore the philosophical and theological dimensions of immortality in Middle-earth • Analyse Tolkien’s personal reflections on death through his fiction Session 7: Nature, Technology and Modernity Learning Objectives: • Examine Tolkien’s environmental themes and their contemporary relevance • Analyse the contrast between natural harmony and industrialization in Middle-earth • Connect Tolkien’s environmental concerns to his personal experiences Session 8: Legacy and Influence Learning Objectives: • Evaluate Tolkien’s impact on fantasy literature and modern mythology • Explore posthumously published works and their contribution to understanding Tolkien • Reflect on the course themes and their integration in Tolkien’s work Reading List by Session Session 1: The Mythmaker's Vision - "On Fairy Stories" (essay) - Focus on concepts of "subcreation," "recovery," "escape," and "consolation" - "Mythopoeia" (poem) - Complete - Letter #131 to Milton Waldman - Selected paragraphs on Tolkien's passion for myth and fairy-story Session 2: Creation Myths and Cosmology - "Ainulindalë" and "Valaquenta" from The Silmarillion - Complete - "The Music of the Ainur" from The Book of Lost Tales, Part One - Focusing on differences from the published Silmarillion version - Selected passages from Morgoth's Ring - "Myths Transformed" essays I and II Session 3: Languages as Cultural Foundation - Appendix F from The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age" - "The Lhammas" from The Lost Road and Other Writings - Introduction and sections on Elvish languages - Elvish poems with translations: "Namárië" and "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" - Complete texts with pronunciation guides Session 4: The Hero's Journey Through Ages - "Of Túrin Turambar" from The Silmarillion - Sections describing Túrin's character and major confrontations - From The Hobbit: "Riddles in the Dark" and "The Last Stage" - Complete chapters - From The Lord of the Rings: "The Shadow of the Past" and "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm" - Complete chapters Session 5: Power and Corruption - "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" from The Silmarillion - "The Council of Elrond" from The Fellowship of the Ring - Discussions of the Ring's history and power - "The Mirror of Galadriel" and "The Breaking of the Fellowship" from The Fellowship of the Ring Session 6: Death, Immortality and Time - "Akallabêth" from The Silmarillion - Sections about the Númenóreans' growing fear of death - "Leaf by Niggle" - "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth" from Morgoth's Ring - Dialogue about mortality - Letter #153 - Sections discussing the "doom and gift" of mortality Session 7: Nature, Technology and Modernity - "Treebeard" and "The Voice of Saruman" from The Two Towers - "The Scouring of the Shire" from The Return of the King - Tolkien's foreword to the second edition of The Lord of the Rings - Letter #178 - Sections discussing industrialization Session 8: Legacy and Influence - "The Quest of Erebor" from Unfinished Tales - "The Notion Club Papers" from Sauron Defeated - Frame narrative and discussions of time and memory - "Epilogue" from The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle-earth - Selections from The Road to Middle-earth by Tom Shippey - Chapter 1 "Lit. and Lang."

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

March 2026 (2) March 2026 (1)

Tolkien's Great Tales Non-Sequential Series

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. This series each of his Great Tales in turn, namely, The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The C...

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. This series each of his Great Tales in turn, namely, The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall of Gondolin. Some parts of these Tales can be found within the published version of The Silmarillion, but the more recently available individual books provide additional and extensive details for each story.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

Tolkien's Great Tales: The Children of Húrin

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall...

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall of Gondolin. Some parts of these Tales can be found within the published version of The Silmarillion, but the more recently available individual books provide additional and extensive details for each story. In this course, we will have a ‘read-along’ discussion of The Children of Hurin. Each session we will consider our close reading of a section of the story, examining Tolkien’s use of language and narrative structure, as well as exploring ideas about what each Tale tells us about Tolkien’s secondary world. Access to a copy of The Children of Hurin will be necessary, and you may find having a copy of The Silmarillion very useful.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

July 2026

Tolkien's Great Tales: The Fall of Gondolin

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall...

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall of Gondolin. Some parts of these Tales can be found within the published version of The Silmarillion, but the more recently available individual books provide additional and extensive details for each story. In this course, we will have a ‘read-along’ discussion of The Fall of Gondolin. Each session we will consider our close reading of a section of the story, examining Tolkien’s use of language and narrative structure, as well as exploring ideas about what each Tale tells us about Tolkien’s secondary world. Access to a copy of The Fall of Gondolin will be necessary, and you may find having a copy of The Silmarillion very useful.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

September 2026

Tolkien's Great Tales: The Tale of Beren and Lúthien

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall...

Although they were never completed in his lifetime, JRR Tolkien wrote what he considered his three "Great Tales" of the Elder Days and intended them to be a significant part of his wider Silmarillion. These Tales are The Tale of Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin, and The Fall of Gondolin. Some parts of these Tales can be found within the published version of The Silmarillion, but the more recently available individual books provide additional and extensive details for each story. In this course, we will have a ‘read-along’ discussion of The Tale of Beren and Lúthien. Each session we will consider our close reading of a section of the story, examining Tolkien’s use of language and narrative structure, as well as exploring ideas about what each Tale tells us about Tolkien’s secondary world. Access to a copy of The Tale of Beren and Lúthien will be necessary, and you may find having a copy of The Silmarillion very useful.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

May 2026

Tolkien's Unfinished Tales

The Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth is a collection of stories and essays by J.R.R. Tolkien which are filled with all the wonderful elements of story-telling that are to be found in The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and yet, for some reas...

The Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth is a collection of stories and essays by J.R.R. Tolkien which are filled with all the wonderful elements of story-telling that are to be found in The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and yet, for some reason, they are less well-known and less studied. Some, like ‘Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner’s Wife’, offer a compelling insight into the Second Age and the time of Númenor. Others, such as ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’, ‘The Quest of Erebor’, or ‘The Hunt for the Ring’, shed further light on the events of the Third Age that are so familiar to readers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. We will discuss some of these stories and place them in the context of the other Middle-earth works. Access to a copy of The Unfinished Tales is essential. Prior knowledge of the stories within is desirable, but you could read them as we go along.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

December 2026

Tolkien, the Anglo-Saxon Minstrel

Explore Tolkien’s Anglo-Saxon poetic inspiration. We will enjoy an introduction to a few Anglo-Saxon poems and then compare Tolkien’s adaptations to their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. Discussions of poetic style and technique will be with us along the way! Texts discussed include Beowulf, The...

Explore Tolkien’s Anglo-Saxon poetic inspiration. We will enjoy an introduction to a few Anglo-Saxon poems and then compare Tolkien’s adaptations to their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. Discussions of poetic style and technique will be with us along the way! Texts discussed include Beowulf, The Fall of Arthur, and other poems.

Precepted by Jennifer Rogers

To Repair Arda: Tolkien's Dwarves through Jewish Mysticism

J.R.R. Tolkien explicitly and publicly associated his subcreated race of the Dwarves with the Jewish people. This raises all sorts of interesting questions and problems, not least of which is why does he do this, and what within Jewish culture is he referring to? Usually scholars point to Dwarven la...

J.R.R. Tolkien explicitly and publicly associated his subcreated race of the Dwarves with the Jewish people. This raises all sorts of interesting questions and problems, not least of which is why does he do this, and what within Jewish culture is he referring to? Usually scholars point to Dwarven language and Dwarven history for this association, but in this class we will explore the possibility that at the deepest level Tolkien is also drawing upon aspects of Jewish mysticism to support his claim.

Precepted by Dr. Robert Steed

Túrin's Bones: The Influences of Sigurd, Oedipus, and Kullervo on J.R.R. Tolkien's Tale of Túrin Turambar

One of the earliest stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium committed to writing was the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar. As Tolkien himself acknowledged, in creating Túrin’s tale, he drew on elements of real-world legends, particularly those of Sigurd the Volsung, Oedipus, and the Finnish Kullervo. I...

One of the earliest stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium committed to writing was the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar. As Tolkien himself acknowledged, in creating Túrin’s tale, he drew on elements of real-world legends, particularly those of Sigurd the Volsung, Oedipus, and the Finnish Kullervo. In this module, we’ll look at the interplay between these legends (in the forms that young Tolkien had likely encountered them) and Tolkien’s own creation of the tale of Túrin. The module’s objective is twofold: a semi-biographical examination of young Tolkien’s early creative processes, and familiarization with the historical sources for these legends that proved so inspirational for him.

Precepted by Dr. Carl Edlund Anderson

November 2024

Vampires, Werewolves and Wights – Oh My! Uncanny Creatures in Middle-earth

There are dragons in Tolkien’s works, of course, as well as Ents, Trolls, and Orcs, all enabling Tolkien to give shape and dimension to his world of Middle-earth. Less discussed amongst readers of the legendarium are the weird creatures that sit in the shadows – the ones designed to really make the ...

There are dragons in Tolkien’s works, of course, as well as Ents, Trolls, and Orcs, all enabling Tolkien to give shape and dimension to his world of Middle-earth. Less discussed amongst readers of the legendarium are the weird creatures that sit in the shadows – the ones designed to really make the back of your neck prickle. In this course, we will discuss these more troubling inhabitants of Middle-earth, with some close reading of the texts to guide our way. Access to copies of The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is essential. Prior knowledge of the texts is desirable, but you could read them as we go along.

Precepted by Dr. Sara Brown

October 2026

Wayward Children Novella Series Non-Sequential Series

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, N...

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, No Visitors, and No Quests.

Precepted by Laurel Stevens

Candidate

Wayward Children Novellas: Part 1

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, N...

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, No Visitors, and No Quests. Explore the first three novellas (Every Heart a Doorway, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, and Beneath the Sugar Sky) of the Hugo and Nebula-winning Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. Join in for a discussion on portal fantasies, children's adventures, and what it can mean to believe in a world you may never see again.

Precepted by Laurel Stevens

May 2023

Wayward Children Novellas: Part 2

Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children has three rules: No Solicitations, No Visitors, and No Quests. Pity that most worlds give no care for rules not their own.

Precepted by Laurel Stevens

Wayward Children Novellas: Part 3

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, N...

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, No Visitors, and No Quests.

Precepted by Laurel Stevens

When Tolkien Wrote Time-Travel

Tolkien’s essay into the time-travel genre is little known and even less likely read. However, his "Lost Road" and "Notion Club Papers" showcase his grappling with concepts at the heart of his legendarium. This module highlights those works, taking readers through a genre study, philological walkthr...

Tolkien’s essay into the time-travel genre is little known and even less likely read. However, his "Lost Road" and "Notion Club Papers" showcase his grappling with concepts at the heart of his legendarium. This module highlights those works, taking readers through a genre study, philological walkthrough, and conceptual discussion of the fragments. Buckle in for a Tolkien-guided adventure through Earth’s history back to the time of the Elves.

Precepted by Jennifer Rogers

Who's Best? Who's Worst? The Highs and Lows of Classic Doctor Who

Doctor Who is the longest running Science Fiction program on television earning great recognition and accolades in the process. Despite this, Doctor Who is infamous for writing/producing some of the best in Science Fiction television, and at the same time arguably the worst. This Class wil...

Doctor Who is the longest running Science Fiction program on television earning great recognition and accolades in the process. Despite this, Doctor Who is infamous for writing/producing some of the best in Science Fiction television, and at the same time arguably the worst. This Class will make use of a free streaming device (tubi) in order to view these episodes individually once again, so that we can discuss their merits or “demerits”; to view some of "the best" and "the worst" of Classic Doctor Who. Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee, the Bakers, Peterson and McCoy are ready to open the TARDIS doors for us; Let the conversation begin! Session One: Criteria and Process Session Two: The Best: The Talons of Weing Chiang Session Three: The Worst: The Macra Terror Session Four: The Best: The Caves of Androzani Session Five: The Worst: The Twin Dilemma Session Six: The Best: The Daemons Session Seven: The Worst: Paradise Towers Session Eight: The Best: The Dalek Invasion of Earth

Precepted by Jay Moses

Candidate

Study Fantasy literature with the experts in a purely fun month of engaging discussion and learning!

Current and Upcoming Fantasy Studies Modules

February 2026

March 2026

April 2026

May 2026

All Fantasy Studies Modules

A Journey Through The History of the Hobbit Non-Sequential Series

A Journey Through The History of Middle-earth (HoMe Series) Non-Sequential Series

Book Club: Dune by Frank Herbert Non-Sequential Series

Book Club: Chapterhouse Dune Non-Sequential Series

Book Club: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Non-Sequential Series

Book Club: Heretics of Dune Non-Sequential Series

Book Club: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Books I - VI) Non-Sequential Series

Discovering Terry Pratchett's Discworld Non-Sequential Series

Exploring Natsume’s Book of Friends Non-Sequential Series

His Dark Materials in Context Non-Sequential Series

Imagination Unhinged at the End of the World Non-Sequential Series

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

Knewbetta’s Guide to The Silmarillion Non-Sequential Series

Le Guin's Earthsea Non-Sequential Series

Narnia Book Club: The Chronicles of Narnia Non-Sequential Series