For the record, I’m still taking classes towards my MA at Mythgard, although I took the summer “off” — which is to say I merely audited Dr. Amy H. Sturgis’ Dystopian Traditions class (which is now available as a course pack), rather than taking it for MA credit. We read a lot of great books, including George Orwell’s classic 1984 which I recently reviewed, and even got to watch a couple of movies — and while I may be in my *cough*cough*mid-30s*cough*cough, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I still like watching movies for school. Some things never change….
This fall, Mythgard is offering another bunch of great classes, and I’ll be back to the MA grind. But before I get into that, I wanted to make note about Mythgard’s current IndieGoGo campgain.
Mythgard’s IndieGoGo Campaign
A few days ago, Mythgard launched an IndieGoGo campaign (do you think I’ve written “Mythgard IndieGoGo campaign” enough times for the search engines to pick it up – yayz for SEO!) You can go on over and read all about it, but here’s the skinny, the low-down and the real deal:
- Mythgard will be producing up to 20 class sessions — through its Mythgard Academy — on fantasy/science-fiction literature, which will be free to the public
- The funds contributed to the campaign will go toward the production and distribution of those class sessions through Mythgard
- Anyone who contributes at least $25 will have the opportunity to vote on the topics of the class sessions.
- As with similar campaigns, there are other perks as well, depending on the contribution amount.
Given that I’ve been a student at Mythgard since its inception 2 years ago, I have full confidence that these will be high-quality classes on topics you are unlikely to be able to study anywhere else. So please consider chipping in a little!
Now, on to the fall class schedule.
Philology Through Tolkien
I will be taking Philology through Tolkien, to be taught by the dynamic duo of Dr. Tom Shippey — yes, that Dr. Shippey — and Nelson Goering. I’m really excited for this class, and if you’re not, then clearly you haven’t seen this great promotional video for it:
Sherlock, Science and Ratiocination
I wish I could take Sherlock, Science and Ratiocination from Dr. Sturgis as well, but alas my monetary and temporal constraints won’t allow me. Starting with Edgar Allen Poe and continuing right up to the modern BBC production of Sherlock Holmes, this class will look at the development of detective fiction over the last couple hundred years and its particular influence on modern literature. Guess what: There’s a video for this class, too.
Tolkien and Tradition
Lastly, but certainly not leastly, comes Tolkien and Tradition by another great Tolkien scholar, Dr. Verlyn Flieger, who recently won her third Mythopoeic Award for Inklings Studies and who is co-editor of the Tolkien Studies journal. This class will take a look at Tolkien’s academic interest in real-world myth (vs. his Middle-earth legendarium) and his adaptations of those myths — including a look at the recently published The Fall of Arthur. Do I need to mention that there’s a video for this one, as well?
Sign up!
If any of these classes look good to you, there’s still time to sign up! Even if you’re not interested in a master’s degree, you can still audit and have access to the live streaming lectures, great forum discussions and class materials. I promise, you will have a great time!