Edmond Dantès
Dantès the White
For anyone looking to take their Tolkien and fantasy appreciation to another level.
The Cardiff Metropolitan University is offering two short courses on J.R.R. Tolkien, both taught by the renowned Dr. Dimitra Fimi:
Mythgard Institute and Signum University
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Looks very enticing, I graduated many moons ago, so I'd be classified as an adult learner though and it would just be for pleasure, rather than academic credit. Might consider it.
The Cardiff Metropolitan University is offering two short courses on J.R.R. Tolkien, both taught by the renowned Dr. Dimitra Fimi:
http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/english/education/enterprise/courses/pages/tolkienfantasy.aspxFantasy Literature: Tales Before and After Tolkien - In this twelve-week course, students will explore the world of fantasy literature, beginning with its Victorian roots and ending with a look at fantasy in contemporary popular culture. The course will explore the impact of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings on the genre; debate whether science fantasy exists as a sub-genre; discuss the future of fantasy as both a literary and popular culture genre; and more.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context - This twelve-week course will examine Tolkien’s legendarium, from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion, including an exploration of his inspiration, his invented languages and alphabets, his portrayal of the various races and cultures of Middle-earth, and his continuing influence on popular culture.
Mythgard Institute and Signum University
http://www.mythgard.org/embark/enrollment/Science Fiction, Part I - Taught by award-winning scholar Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, this course will focus on the literary genre which the late Ray Bradbury described as "the most important literature in the history of the world."
The Story of The Hobbit - Taught by Dr. Corey Olsen "the Tolkien Professor," and featuring guest lecturers John D. Rateliff and Douglas A. Anderson, this course will focus on the growth and development of JRR Tolkien's classic children's story, and discuss its adaptation to film.
Elementary Latin II - This course, offered through Signum University and taught by Dr. Philip Walsh, will complete the introductory Latin courses, providing students with an understanding of the basic elements of the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Fantasy Literature: Tales Before and After Tolkien
From Victorian Fairy Tales to Modern Imaginary Worlds
Course Length: 12 weeks (including a reading week & essay writing week)
Entry Requirements: None
Course Content: This course will explore the fascinating world of fantasy literature, from its Victorian roots to its most recent examples. We will start with Victorian and Edwardian fantasists (William Morris, George MacDonald, and the mythology of childhood developed by Charles Kingsley and J.M. Barrie), explore the enormous impact on fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings; evaluate Tolkien’s legacy (C.S. Lewis Narnia books, and Terry Brooks and Stephen Donaldson’s work); look at the best works of American fantasy (including Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz and Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea series) and debate whether science fantasy exists as a sub-genre by looking at Frank Herbert’s Dune, and the Star Wars (extended) mythology. We will end with looking at fantasy in contemporary popular culture, focusing on TV fantasy and its powerful female heroines (including the mythology of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and some discussion of the future of fantasy as a literary and popular culture genre.
Course Objectives:
• To introduce and differentiate between modes and types of fantasy literature
• To examine the origins and major themes in fantasy literature
• To explore the literary conventions and stylistic devices employed in fantasy literature
• To explore how fantasy literature responds to contemporary cultural changes and intellectual and social developments
• To investigate recent critical and theoretical debates about fantasy literature
• To analyse and re-evaluate the classification of fantasy literature as “genre” or “popular” fiction
Academic Credit: 20 credits at Year 3 Undergraduate Level
Course aimed at: Undergraduate students and adult learners interested in fantasy literature
Programme Leader: Dr Dimitra Fimi
Cost: £390
Additional Information: This is an online course, delivered through Cardiff Met's virtual learning environment.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context
Course Length: 12 weeks (including a reading week & essay writing week)
Entry Requirements: None
Course Content: This course will examine the J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, from his much-loved The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, to his extended mythology most commonly known from the published Silmarillion. We will explore Tolkien’s early project for a “mythology for England” and trace his inspiration and creative re-working of myth and folklore (including Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, Celtic, Arthurian and Classical material) and the literary tradition (from Shakespeare to Victorian and Edwardian literature). We will look at Tolkien’s invented languages and alphabets as an integral part of his mythology; discuss Tolkien’s portrayal of the “races” and cultures of Middle-earth, and end with a consideration of Tolkien’s continuing influence on popular culture, including Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.
Course Objectives:
• To examine the work of J.R.R. Tolkien as one of the main authors of the fantasy literature genre
• To examine the creative uses of Tolkien’s sources in medieval and renaissance literature, myth and folklore, and Victorian and Edwardian literature
• To explore how Tolkien’s work responds to contemporary cultural changes and intellectual and social developments
• To explore major themes and continuities in Tolkien’s work
• To investigate recent critical and theoretical approaches to Tolkien’s work
• To re-evaluate Tolkien’s position in the literary canon
• To examine Tolkien’s influence in modern popular culture
Academic Credit: 20 credits at Masters Level
Course aimed at: Postgraduate students and adult learners interested in fantasy literature
Programme Leader: Dr Dimitra Fimi
Cost: £420
Additional Information: This is an online course, delivered through Cardiff Met's virtual learning environment.
Looks very enticing, I graduated many moons ago, so I'd be classified as an adult learner though and it would just be for pleasure, rather than academic credit. Might consider it.