Literature   

This will be the first of three courses on Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings and will focus on Part One, otherwise known as The Fellowship of the Ring. Needless to say, this is a masterwork, and Richard is prepared to build this case from a literary perspective and also to share how Tolkien drew from other great myths of the world: Celtic, Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Finnish, Greek, and Indian. His goal was to create a myth for his “northern” people, and he did so borrowing from many other traditions. Frankly, this is not unlike what “Homer” and other great writers of the past did with their great myths. This will be a page by page examination, like you might experience in graduate school.

New remote course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOKS: The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien, ISBN 9780547928210 (Mariner Books) It is essential that students have the same edition as the instructor.

US Poet Laureate Ada Limón claims, “poetry is the place where we can go to break open.” We’ll explore what she means by reading a variety of mostly contemporary poems and discussing how they work through voice, language, sound effects, imagery, metaphor, and other elements. As we discover the how, we’ll reflect on our encounters with our own poetic selves. Suffer from poetry anxiety? No worries — this is a great class for you. No books required; all of our poetry will be found free and online at the Poetry Foundation and other websites. Bring paper to write on.
New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

Despite the early tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer, Edgar Allan Poe is widely credited, circa 1840, with defining and establishing the modern short story as a distinct literary genre. Join a group of enthusiastic readers (and talkers) to explore the short story — this term’s text is The Best Short Stories, 2023, edited by Lauren Groff — also the O.Henry Prize Winners. Don’t be misled by the O. Henry — they will not all have twists at their finish.

New remote course. Format includes discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: The Best American Short Stories 2023, The O. Henry Prize Winners; Lauren Groff, ed.; ISBN 9780593470596

Comics (blending words and pictures to tell stories) stretch from cave paintings and the Bayeux Tapestry to today’s Batman and Spider-Man. Far more than superhero tales, comics are a versatile literary artform, capturing intimate and epic stories, social issues, and cultural moments through panels and word balloons. In this course, we will trace their history, explore their power, and read and discuss works including Understanding Comics, Watchmen, Maus, Fun Home, and Persepolis.

This course is for everyone who wants to read, discuss, and write poetry, whether you’ve written before, or not. Each class will be divided among workshopping participant poems, discussing the topic of the week from The Poetry Home Repair Manual, and examples of poetry. Writing prompts will be offered for in-class writing and optional sharing. We believe that writers learn best with both praise and friendly honesty in a nurturing setting of fellow learners. Requirements: An open mind, a sense of fun and discovery, and a readiness to read and write during and in-between the classes. 

Format includes discussion and hands-on.

REQUIRED BOOK: The Discovery of Poetry, Frances Mayes, ISBN 9780156007627

If you find pleasure and beauty and wisdom in poetry and would like to share your experience with like-minded classmates, this class is for you. Each week we will bring a favorite poem, recite it, and discuss it. There’s no one correct interpretation and no one superior type of poem. We will be guided by what our fellow students are most moved by. From Rumi to Pound, from the psalms to Dr. Seuss, your favorites are welcome. No one’s an expert. We’re just sharing what we love.

Repear in-person course. Format includes discussion.

This class will read novels from four renowned Black authors with distinctive narrative styles exploring the complexities of contemporary Black American life. The novels will engage with major themes, including racial identity, systemic and generational trauma, the burdens of Black artistry, poverty, and resilience. Using both humor and pathos, the class will analyze
the unique viewpoints of these writers and the profound insights they offer on what it means to be Black in America today. Guided by experienced facilitators from the previous classes, we will read and discuss four novels in eight weeks. The class is highly participatory so come prepared to immerse yourself. Please read the first half of I Am Not Sidney Poitier for the first class.
New remote course. Format includes discussion.
REQUIRED BOOKS: I Am Not Sidney Poitier, Percival Everett, ISBN 9781555975272; Colored Television: A Novel, Danzy Senna, ISBN 9780593544372; Salvage the Bones: A Novel, Jesmyn Ward, ISBN 9781608196265; Hell of a Book, Jason Mott, ISBN 9780593330982

This course is the Second Installment of the reading of Ulysses. As a reminder, we’re using an annotated, projectable text augmented by audio from Irish RTE. Those who missed the First Installment and wish to join may do so. To catch up a bit, read the first three chapters of Harry Blamires’ book. Also, there’ll be a synopsis of progress-to-date to open the Second Installment. Don’t miss this unique presentation and guided opportunity to experience the most influential novel of the 20th Century!

New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOKS: The New Bloomsday Book, Harry Blamires, ISBN 0415138582; Ulysses, James Joyce, Annotated, D. Gifford with R.J. Seidman, ISBN 0520067452