Signum Symposia comprise a collection of conversations across a wide range of topics appealing to both fans and scholars of literature. Episodes include chats with members of Signum's world class faculty, presentations by students in our Masters program and interviews with some of the leading lights in academic and popular circles. With a rich variety of topics and speakers, there is bound to be something here for everyone.
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Signum Symposia
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- Summer Courses 2023Find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Summer Term (May 1 – July 30) and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses will be on hand to explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer questions from the live audience. The Summer 2023 Courses: Please note: Unfortunately, following the recording of this Signum Symposia event, we have decided to postpone "Literary Copernicus: The Cosmic Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft" until the Fall 2023 semester. "Tolkien Illustrated," "The Inklings and King Arthur," and "Introduction to Old Norse" are still open for registration. Thank you. Tolkien Illustrated: Picturing the Legendarium – This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the history of Tolkien illustration and its visual, contextual, and critical analyses. Literary Copernicus: The Cosmic Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft – This course explores the work of H.P. Lovecraft and his impact on literature and popular culture. Students will study the foundations of Lovecraft’s writing, the meaning behind his works, along with his cosmic vision and legacy. The Inklings and King Arthur – This course explores how J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and other Inklings authors interpreted the Arthurian legends in their work. Introduction to Old Norse – The first half of this course provides a focus on Old Icelandic grammar, and the second half allows students to begin reading from a selection of Old Icelandic prose and poetic texts. To view our course offerings for Summer 2023, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... To learn more about Signum University: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ For more upcoming news and Signum events: https://signumuniversity.org/news-and... Want to learn more about Signum's educational offerings? Start here: https://signumuniversity.org/non-degr...0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Jennifer EwingThesis Theater: Jennifer Ewing, “The Promises to the Overcomer” This recording from April 3rd, 2023. Signum MA student Jennifer Ewing will present her thesis “The Promises to the Overcomer: The Gifts and Rewards Given to the Fellowship in The Lord of the Rings” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Jennifer’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Michael Corso. Abstract J. R. R. Tolkien’s devout Catholicism and Biblical knowledge, through personal study and professional translation and commentary on medieval works, is well known. This Catholic and biblical ‘leaf-mould’ finds its way into the gifts and rewards which were given to the Fellowship in completion of their quest in The Lord of the Rings (Letters 409). This thesis presents evidence that the gifts or rewards articulated as promises to the overcomer in the book of Revelation seem to correspond in theme and value to a gift or a reward in The Lord of the Rings and include: the tree of life (Rev. 2.7), no second death (Rev. 2.11), manna, a white stone, and a new name (Rev. 2.17), rule of the nations, the morning star (Rev. 2.26, 28), white raiment (Rev. 3.5), to be a secure as a pillar in the temple of My God (Rev. 3.12), and to sit with Jesus on his throne (Rev. 3.21). In addition to the religious symbolism, there is a cursory exploration of the stewardship aspects of the gifts and rewards. Without prudent use of these gifts (or rewards), the War of the Ring would have been lost and quest would have surely failed. About the Presenter Jennifer Ewing read the Bass & Rankin illustrated edition of The Hobbit when she was ten years old. Despite this auspicious start, fourteen years passed before she read The Lord of the Rings. Some say that entering a course of study with an aim in mind brings a certain depth to that subject. Jennifer has known for the past twenty years that she wanted to write a thesis on Tolkien and Revelation 2-3. She attended seminary (where she is the library director), taking courses with that object in mind, and after graduation she waited two whole months before enrolling at Signum. About Signum Thesis Theaters Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ Registration is open for the Summer 2023 semester! Classes begin Monday, May 1st. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/non-degr...0 comments0
- Signum Symposia Dec 4 · 1h 3m Spring Courses 2023This recording from December 1, 2022. Find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Spring Term (January 9 – April 2) and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses will be on hand to explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer questions from the live audience. Your host, Professor Sparrow Alden, will introduce you to some of our amazing Spring Term professors: Sara Brown, Gabriel Schenk, Liam Daley, and Nelson Goering. The Spring 2023 Courses: Race, Gender, and the Other in Tolkien’s Middle-earth – This course explores the issues of race, sexuality, gender, and Othering in the mythological legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien. The Gothic Tradition – This course will investigate the fascinating and subversive Gothic imagination, identify the historical conditions that have inspired it, and consider how it has developed across time and place and medium. Chaucer I: Visions of Love – This class is the first semester in a two-part survey of Chaucer’s major works, looking at his early dream vision poems and his greatest completed work: Troilus and Criseyde. Introduction to Germanic Philology II – This class provides an introduction to Germanic comparative philology in a broad sense. Students are not expected to have prior familiarity with any language other than modern English. To view our course offerings for Spring 2023, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... Gift the joy of learning. Our Anytime Audit Holiday Special runs from now until December 31st. To view a full list of eligible courses and register for a certificate: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOqBiJ7akJl37Oo5RPfGKnrBALR0SxtZXoBLNyW_G8fqMA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 To learn more about Signum University: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ For more upcoming news and Signum events: https://signumuniversity.org/news-and...0 comments0
- State of the University Address, Fall 2022This is Part 1 of the separate recordings from The 2022 Fall Fundraising Campaign Finale, recorded on November 19, 2022. Our teaching programs Signum Graduate School https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... Signum Academy Clubs https://signumuniversity.org/non-degr... Mythgard Institute https://mythgard.org/ SPACE Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education https://signumuniversity.org/non-degr... New programs Signum University Press https://press.signumuniversity.org/ Signum Studios About Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/ Mission https://signumuniversity.org/about/mi... Support Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/support/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Nadia SchaferThis recording from September 5, 2022. Signum MA student Nadia Schafer will present her thesis “One Strange (s) Elf: Deep Ecology, Decolonization and the Radical Hope of Legolas Greenleaf ” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Nadia’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Sara Brown. Abstract: While living through a national reckoning, a global pandemic, and a worsening climate change crisis, what The Lord of the Rings can offer to those living on Turtle Island in the 2020s? This thesis argues that the text offers its reader radical hope through the ecocritical voice through the character Legolas Greenleaf. Strongly influenced by the writings of Joanna Macy, Donna Haraway, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, “One Strange (s)Elf” explores the narrative of Legolas’ role in the process of decolonization and restoration in Middle-earth. Using a postcolonial analysis paired with Deep Ecology, this thesis establishes an Indigenous reading of the Silvan Elves. Building of this reading, it further demonstrates the power of making Oddkin as an act of decolonization, explores the elements of the Queer Gothic in the depiction of Fangorn’s Huorns, and acknowledges the power of shared grief. Finally, this work demonstrates how Tolkien suggests to his audience an alternative to despair by offering the choice to stray. About the Presenter: Nadia Schafer (she/her) is a Social Services Worker, Certified Human Resources Professional, and speculative writer living on the Haldimand Tract in Southwestern Ontario. Her career as a jack-of-all-trades has included everything from non-profit consulting to teaching preschool. You can find her promoting her creative work as Nadia Steven Rysing on Twitter @atendency (https://twitter.com/atendency). About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/0 comments0
- Fall Courses 2022This recording from August 25, 2022. Find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Fall Term (August 29 – November 20) and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses will be on hand to explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer questions from the live audience. Your host, Dr. Gabriel Schenk, will introduce you to our amazing Fall Term professors: Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, Dr. Faith Acker, Dr. Nelson Goering, Dr. Larry Swain, and Dr. Liam Daley The Spring 2022 Courses: Dark Academia – Dark Academia explores this thriving genre which combines the Gothic, schooldays stories, mystery, and speculative fiction. Foundations in Critical Reading and Research – This core course introduces students to current practices and conventions of graduate scholarship in Language and Literature, core literary theories, and foundational Humanities skills. Beowulf Through Tolkien – This course examines Tolkien and Beowulf together to provide insight into both the classic Old English epic and Tolkien’s modern fantasy works. Shakespeare and the Middle Ages – The course examines Shakespeare’s Comedies in the context of their medieval literary sources, his Histories in light of Tudor views of the recent medieval past, and his Tragedies in the context of medieval beliefs and cosmologies. Introduction to Germanic Philology I – This class offers a survey of the older Germanic languages (especially Gothic, Old Norse, and Old English), and the literatures written in those languages. To view our course offerings for Fall 2022, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-p... To learn more about Signum Univesity, visit: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ For more upcoming events and Signum news: https://signumuniversity.org/news-and... Don't forget to check out more videos on this channel for past events and our free, fun, and educational weekly activities.0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Jacob R. SchreinerThesis Theater: Jacob R. Schreiner, "Sub-creation Through Speech-Acts in Tolkien’s Legendarium" This recording from June 1, 2022. Signum MA student Jacob R. Schreiner will present his thesis “The Logos of Faith: Sub-creation Through Speech-Acts in Tolkien’s Legendarium” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Jacob’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Brenton Dickieson. Abstract: J.R.R. Tolkien’s theory of sub-creation has long been studied within his legendarium, and how humanity, being created by God, has the desire to imitate the Creator through sub-creation. However, what is the connection between God’s command for the universe to Be and humanity’s ability to sub-create? This thesis examines logos as “word” and “reason” in creation and its relationship to sub-creation through the investigative lens of speech-act theory. According to J.L. Austin and other speech-act theorists, when one speaks, it is not merely to say words, but by the act of speech, one performs, which produces consequential effects by the speaker. In The Silmarillion, Ilúvatar’s original speech-act brought all of creation into being and allowed the Ainur to sub-create within Arda according to the logical reason and design of the universe and by the word, “Eä!” The same is true in Middle-earth. Frodo and Sam harness the power of the logos in their speech-acts, and in prayer as a speech-act, by having faith, they can sub-create through language and bring about physical changes within their world. About the Presenter: Jacob R. Schreiner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Sam Houston State University. His first conference presentation was at TexMoot in 2019 where he presented his paper “God of War and the Norse Oral Storyteller,” and later that year presented at Mythmoot VI on “’What a worm’s made for!’: The Cure to Conquering Dragons in C.S. Lewis’ Pilgrim’s Regress and Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader.’” At Mythmoot VII, Jacob presented his paper, “A Light for Hobbit Feet: Moral Choices that Defy Darkness in Children’s Fantasy.” His research interests include fantasy, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, speech-act theory, and Germanic philology. Jacob currently runs a blog called The Tolkienian where he analyzes the works of Tolkien, fantasy, and science fiction. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! To view Jacob's blog, The Tolkienian: https://thetolkienian.wordpress.com/ For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Miriam DavidsonThesis Theater: Miriam Davidson, "Nonviolent Countercurrents in Tolkien's Epic of War" This recording from May 26, 2022. Signum MA student Miriam Davidson will present her thesis “The Sword Not for its Sharpness: Nonviolent Countercurrents in Tolkien’s Epic of War” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Miriam’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Brenton Dickieson. Abstract: The Lord of the Rings highlights Tolkien’s use of characters and narrative to accentuate the courage and honor earned by those who sacrifice themselves in combat. His plot demands, and often justifies, violent action. The people of Middle-earth will not stand by as Sauron works to enslave and kill the free folk. Still, there is a clear and consistent emphasis on the cost and devastation these violent engagements bring. Tolkien’s narrative strongly warns against the lust for power and the will to dominate others while elevating the importance of grace, forgiveness, and not striking without the gravest of need. War victors should be magnanimous, offering reconciliation and forgiveness to the defeated rather than destruction, slavery, or crippling reparations. Discovering the tensions at play between the honor of war and its human devastation, this thesis explores the countercurrents of nonviolence in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. These countercurrents ultimately demonstrate that Tolkien’s representation of war and nonviolence is impacted by his literary mode, educational background, personal beliefs, and exposure to war. About the Presenter: Miriam Davidson has been practicing as a forensic psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Department of Corrections for the past 15 years. She has a deep-rooted love for fantasy literature and pursued a MA degree to expand and strengthen her reading and writing skills. With the help of her husband and dogs, she spends her free time restoring a 200-year-old lighthouse in Downeast, Maine. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Signum Symposia May 23 · 46m Thesis Theater with Emily AustinThesis Theater: Emily Austin, "The Road Gives Ever On: the Road Motif in Lord of the Rings" This recording from May 21, 2022. Signum MA student Emily Austin will present her thesis “The Road Gives Ever On: Following the Road Motif in The Lord of the Rings ” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Emily’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Sara Brown. Abstract: The Lord of the Rings makes prominent use of “The Road” as a multifaceted symbolic image, but roads also play a more subtly powerful role in the text as a tool of narrative description. Tolkien’s stylistic treatment of roads and paths builds on his longstanding interest in the concept, visible in many earlier writings. In The Lord of the Rings, attention to the characters’ roads as they journey is a recurring motif that becomes particularly central for Frodo and Sam on the way to Mount Doom. This paper uses close reading and digital text analysis to identify four principal ways this narrative attention to roads can manifest, and examines how they undergird and enrich the concept’s thematic significance. About the Presenter: From an early age, Emily Austin has loved both reading and the visual arts, and pursued ways to combine these interests. Her favorite authors, particularly J.R.R. Tolkien and Jane Austen, shaped both her literary tastes and her artistic imagination, and they continue to provide both academic interest and inspiration for art projects. Born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii, Emily now lives in Indiana with her husband Ryan and runs a business creating art, illustration, and graphic design. Besides reading and painting, Emily also loves travel, photography, and sewing. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Taylor Johnson GuinanThesis Theater: Taylor Johnson Guinan, "Ventures into the Land of the Dead in Children's Literature” This recording from May 7, 2022. Signum MA student Taylor Johnson Guinan will present her thesis “Only in Dying Life: Ventures into the Land of the Dead in Children’s Fantasy Literature” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Taylor’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Sara Brown. Abstract: Modern children’s fantasy authors often depict the land of the dead as a dark and uninviting stage of a multi-stage death. How and why are these lands commonly depicted? Are there any key commonalities or divergences in the depiction of these lands of death? What is the effect of their depiction? This thesis examines children’s fantasy novels published in the last 30 years that contain a significant depiction of the land of the dead to determine what modern children’s fantasy authors are doing specifically, which may differ from previously published works. While the land of the dead is normally separated from life, dark, uninviting, and dangerous, the living’s journey through the land of the dead results in a greater appreciation for life, or reveals that the land of the dead is only a temporary transition stage to something greater, such as rebirth into life or an undescribed beyond. This revelatory experience replaces fear with peace and hope when death comes. About the Presenter: Taylor Johnson Guinan holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English from Arizona State University. In their honors program, she wrote her senior thesis on the benefits of using Science Fiction and Fantasy literature in the classroom accompanied by an implementable curriculum all titled “The Origins of Science Fiction and Fantasy in British Literature”. In 2015, she published a review of Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall in the Journal of Adult and Adolescent Literature, and at the 2021 Mythmoot she presented the paper “The Dystopian Looking Glass: Propaganda in Harry Potter and the Hunger Games.” About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Summer 2022 registration! The semester begins on May 2nd. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Phil KnightThis recording from April 15th, 2022. Signum MA student Phil Knight will present his thesis “Drauma-Jóns Saga: A Digital Edition and Translation” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theatre. The discussion will be facilitated by Phil’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Paul Peterson. Abstract: Though once long neglected and even disparaged by academia, the Old Norse-Icelandic genre of chivalric sagas or riddarasögur were, to judge by the number of surviving manuscripts containing these stories, clearly extremely popular with their Late Medieval Age audiences. Drauma-Jóns saga, itself preserved in over fifty manuscripts dating from the mid to late fourteenth century through to the nineteenth, was no exception. This study presents a digital edition and English translation of Drauma-Jóns saga (The Story of Dream-Jón) based on the AM 657 4° manuscript housed at the Den Arnamagnæanske Samling repository in Copenhagen, Denmark. About the Presenter: Phil Knight is from Wolverhampton in the UK. He has been studying for an MA with Signum University since 2017 with a special focus on Germanic Philology. Prior to this he obtained a BA (Hons) in Classical Studies with The Open University. His academic interests include studying and learning languages (both ancient and modern), Old Norse-Icelandic literature, history (especially medieval), mythology and folklore. In his spare time he enjoys reading (especially horror and the occult, fantasy and sci-fi), film, TV and theatre, listening to music, and following the fortunes of his beloved football team, West Brom. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Summer 2022 registration! The semester begins on May 2nd. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Summer Courses 2022This recording from April 22, 2022. Find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Summer Term (May 2 – July 31) and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses will be on hand to explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer questions from the live audience. The Summer 2022 Courses: Digital Text – This course is an introduction to developing and working with texts electronically, particularly literary and historical language texts. Germanic Myths and Legends – This course puts the myths and legends of the medieval Germanic world in their wider cultural and historical contexts. The Dystopian Tradition – This class will consider historical and current “what if?” thought experiments, including classics such as 1984 and bestsellers like The Hunger Games. Tolkien in Context – This course examines how Tolkien’s subcreated world of Middle-earth engages with issues and concepts relevant to readers, including racism, immigration, the place of women, the ongoing battle of good versus evil, environmental concerns and the rise of technology. For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Summer 2022 registration! The semester begins on May 2nd. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/0 comments0
- Spring Courses 2022recorded on January 4, 2022. Signum University Spring 2022 semester starts January 10! In this Course Preview event, you can find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Spring Term (January 10 – April 3) and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer questions from the live audience. The link to the announcement of this event. https://signumuniversity.org/event/sp... The Spring 2022 Courses The Return of King Arthur, lectured by Dr. Gabriel Schenk – This course tracks the return of King Arthur through British and American novels, poetry, plays, films, short stories, and comics. https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/... Old Saxon: Heliand and Genesis – Read and translate the major works of Old Saxon literature in this language seminar. https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/... Science Fiction Part I, lectured by Dr. Amy H. Sturgis– Join award-winning scholar Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as she explores the ways in which the literature of science fiction over time has asked the question: “What if?” https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/... Tolkien’s World of Middle-earth, lectured by Dr. Verlyn Flieger – In this course, students will read Tolkien’s critical essays, translations, and imaginative stories to explore how his world and his myth developed over time. https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/... For more information on the courses in the Spring semester. https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... To learn more about Signum University, visit: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ For more upcoming events at Signum University, visit us at: https://signumuniversity.org/event/ Don't forget to check out more videos on this channel for the past events and our free, fun, and educational weekly activities.0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Elise Trudel CedeñoThis recording from January 5th, 2022. Signum master’s student Elise Trudel Cedeño will present her thesis “Series Theory: Examining the Structure of the Modern Fantasy Epic” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Elise’s supervisor, Professor Kris Swank. Abstract: Series Theory is a new, critical approach to examining Modern Fantasy in a serial context. There are two disparate methods when analyzing fantasy series texts- either by way of their fantastic content or by discussing how the overall structure of the series contributes to their meaning. There is little scholarship that examines how the structure of a series adds to or fully composes the fantasy narrative. Series Theory, however, melds Structuralism and Seriality Studies concepts together by examining how the repeated patterns within a series set (trilogies, septologies, etc.) creates an exciting escape while remaining safe and consoled by the familiar, repetitive structures. This thesis aims to show how the overall structure of the Modern Fantasy epic, closed-ended series creates meaning to the fantastic through three key stages: the Repetition of familiar narrative structures, the progression and Elaboration of each repeated element, and finally closing with a Eucatastrophic event and the room for a new beginning. About the Presenter: Elise Trudel Cedeño makes magic by teaching Literacy and Literature through various homeschool platforms, including Signum Academy Clubs. She earned her B.A. at Wagner College and her Master of Arts in Teaching English at Teachers College, Columbia University. In her free time, when she has any, she fosters kittens with her local humane society, and she tries new recipes for delicious homemade pies. She lives in rural Massachusetts with her loving husband, and by the time this thesis airs, her first child will be making an arrival at any time. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Spring 2022 registration! The semester begins January 10th. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Signum Symposia Dec 21 · 1h 9m Hugo Award 2021: Best Novel RoundtableThis recording from December 18th, 2021 If the answer is always reading good Science Fiction and fantasy, then the question must always be “How can I best spend my time and escape the normal confines of our day?” Join us at 6pm Eastern on December 18th for our non-affiliated Hugo Awards evening, when a panel of Science-fiction and Fantasy readers will each talk about one of the shortlisted titles in the Best Novel category of the 2021 Hugo Awards! The Relentless Moon, by Mary Robinette Kowal (Macmillan) – reviewed by Trevor Brierly The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit) – reviewed by Sparrow Alden Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (Tor.com) – reviewed by Kris Swank Piranesi by Susanna Clark (Bloomsberry) – reviewed by Brenton Dickieson Black sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Simon and Shuster) – reviewed by Kat Sas Network Effect by Martha Wells (Tor.com) – reviewed by Laurel Stevens Each reviewer will take five minutes to introduce their novel and talk about what they liked or didn’t like about it. We will then open up for a wider discussion, taking questions and comments from the audience. The audience will then vote on which novel they most want to read, and which they think should win the prestigious Best Novel Hugo Award. The actual winner will be announced at DisCon III, shortly after our event! It will be a journey of discovery, exploration, mind expansion and just plain good fun. About the Hugo Award: The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention and chosen by its members. It was first delivered in 1953. For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Spring 2022 registration! The semester begins January 10th. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Ryan MonizThis recording from December 11, 2021. Signum master’s student Ryan Moniz will present his thesis “Brewing Óðinn’s Mead: A Reconstructive Approach to Germanic Verse Formula” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Ryan’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Nelson Goering. Abstract: ‘In this thesis, I approach formulaic elements in Germanic alliterative verse from a comparative historical linguistics perspective, applying the comparative method to cognate verse formulae which appear in multiple old Germanic languages including Old Norse, Old English, Old Saxon, and Old High German. I first present the raw data extracted from early mythological, heroic, legendary, and elegiac Germanic alliterative poetry, then I review the data and provide a linguistic reconstruction of each formula presented. The objective of applying this approach is to yield a list of pre-historical reconstructions of verse formulae common to West Germanic languages, and common to both West and North Germanic languages.’ About the Presenter: Ryan Moniz earned his BA in Linguistics and Cultural Studies from Seattle Pacific University. He has been an enthusiastic reader of ancient and medieval poetry from a young age, and is passionate about the historical connections between languages and cultures. He is currently planning his next journey in the woods with his partner and their dog in Seattle, Washington. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ We are open for Spring 2022 registration! The semester begins on January 10th. To view our upcoming courses: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/... Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Thesis Theater with Eugene SullivanThis recording from November 18 2021. Signum master’s student Eugene Sullivan will present his thesis “Red Indians in Middle Earth: The Woses of Drúadan Forest and the Racial Landscape of Tolkien’s Legendarium” and respond to questions from the audience in an interactive Thesis Theater. The discussion will be facilitated by Eugene’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Sara Brown. Abstract: The shift from the mythological mode of The Book of Lost Tales and the early Silmarillion, to the novelistic mode of The Lost Road and The Lord of the Rings brought the Men of Middle-earth into sharper focus. The Lord of the Rings is, as Tolkien noted, “a Mannish affair”. In populating Middle-earth with Mannish cultures, Tolkien drew on many sources for inspiration, both historical and literary. For the Woses, who appear unexpectedly from the forest in The Return of the King to help bring the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor, Tolkien looked to a cultural depiction that had captured his interest as a child: the Red Indian. As depicted in The Lord of the Rings, these people are the inheritors of a complicated legacy of stereotypes that reaches back through the Piccaninnies of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, through the Mohicans and Hurons of Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans, to the travelogues and romances generated by the interactions between European settlers and the Indigenous inhabitants of North America. This thesis explores the history and characteristics of the Romantic Indian trope, and the ways in which their presence, and Tolkien’s attempt to explain that presence, alters the cultural landscape of all three Ages of the history of Middle-earth. About the Presenter: Eugene Sullivan earned his BA in English from UC Santa Barbara. He is a lifelong fan of Tolkien, and was a regular listener of the Tolkien Professor podcast before beginning the Masters program at Signum University. He is employed as a System Engineer at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and also plays guitar in a Traditional Irish band. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two kids, and two dogs. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Tales in the Dark: A Samhain RompThis recording from October 31st, 2021. Add to your Halloween experience this October 31st at 5pm with a remembrance of the ancient Gaelic celebration of Samhain. Samhain, the forerunner of Halloween, was a time of reckoning and observing of the turning of the Fall season into the darkness of the Winter. Although many different communal activities were done, the ones remembered mostly are the recognition of the coming of the dark, and the telling of a good “tale’ of the travel into and out of fairy on this unique night; the Adventures of Nera is such a tale. On this evening join the ghoulish Signum circle of Prof. Gabriel “O lygad y ffynnon” Schenk, Prof. Sara “Fel cath i gythraul” Brown, Prof. Maggie “Mynd o flaen gofid” Parke, and Dr. Jay “diafol O’ Malley” Moses as the festivities begin. READ through the dark tale of The Adventures of Nera! DWELVE into the ancient lore of the Irish REVEL in the discussion of the attraction of the dark and macabre in tales of old Enjoy the delight of the coming dark with story and humor! For more information about Signum University and our degree program, please visit: https://signumuniversity.org/ Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- State of the University Address, Fall 2021Signum University State of the University Address by Corey Olsen, featuring the university updates and the SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) program launch. Recorded on Oct. 16, 2021, as part of the Annual Fundraising Campaign 2021 webathon. (You can watch the whole webathon recording here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLUPn...) 0:08 Signum University updates 41:12 SPACE launch announcement: really? Another Signum program? 1:02:30 SPACE launch announcement: the program details Signum University Annual Fund https://signumuniversity.org/fund/ SPACE: Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education https://signumuniversity.org/space/ For more information about Signum University, visit https://signumuniversity.org/ https://signumuniversity.org/start/0 comments0
- Summer Courses 2021Recorded on April 16th, 2021. Summer 2021 semester starts on May 3rd, 2021. Find out about the new courses offered at Signum University this coming Summer Term (May 3 – July 23), and meet the professors who will be teaching them! Representatives from the courses will be on hand to explain how the classes work, what people can expect if they sign up, and answer audience questions. The Summer 2021 Courses: Exploring Star Trek – Amy Sturgis boldly takes Signum where it’s never gone before: into Star Trek! Introduction to Old English – This course provides an introduction to Old English grammar, giving students a working reading competency in the language and the chance to put that knowledge into practice. Tolkien’s Poetry – In this class, we will examine Tolkien’s short poetic works in detail, taking a chronological look at Tolkien’s career through the window of his poetry. Classical Myths and Legends – This course puts the myths and legends of the Classical world in their wider cultural and historical contexts. To learn more about Signum University, visit: https://signumuniversity.org/about/ We are open for Summer 2021 registration! For a list of upcoming courses, visit: https://signumuniversity.org/classes/future/ For more upcoming events at Signum University, visit us at: https://signumuniversity.org/event/0 comments0
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