TumblogWritings, musings and generally lighthearted bantee

May

13

We’ve Been Nominated!

2012 Parsec AwardsThe Tolkien Professor podcast series has been nominated for a 2012 Parsec Award!

What are these awards, you ask?  According to the founders, a Parsec Award is given to exemplary speculative fiction, fantasy and scifi podcasts in a variety of subcategories each year.  Dr. Olsen and the team are thrilled to learn that we’ve been given a nod and are happy to join the rank of 2012’s contenders for the Fan/News category.

Thanks to all of you who may have suggested The Tolkien Professor!

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May

08

Faerie and Fantasy 25

The long awaited next installment of Faerie and Fantasy 25 is available! Download it here, or listen on iTunes.

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May

03

Riddles in the Dark: Episode Eight

Dr. Olsen and Dave Kale sat down for an emergency recording of Riddles in the Dark following “The CinemaCon Controversy”, as it’s come to be known.  Take a listen to Episode Eight for their takes on what was seen in the most recent footage!

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Apr

28

Riddles in the Dark: Episodes Six and Seven

After a slightly longer than usual delay, listeners will be delighted to know that Dr. Olsen and Dave Kale are back with another two installments of Riddles in the Dark.  Episodes Six and Seven will cover the much rumored about “split” between the two upcoming Peter Jackson Hobbit films.  Episode Seven even contains a special guest appearance by Fr. Roderick of SQPN!  Listen to both today!

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Apr

24

Dr. Olsen Interviewed by Jason Hartman

The Tolkien Professor was recently asked to sit down for an interview with Jason Hartman, host of the Speaking of Wealth podcast.  While a bit of a departure from the normal subject matter covered by Dr. Olsen, it was a great opportunity to talk about how the ease of creating content with new media tools has allowed for direct opportunities for teaching and learning that would never have existed before.  Listen in to episode #49 of the SoW show here.

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Apr

10

College Prep with Your Favorite Books

The Mythgard Institute has just opened the doors on a new college prep opportunity for high school students interested in the books of both J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling.  Mythgard Academy will offer three week online courses that will offer students not only a chance to go in-depth with their favorite works but to also experience a college lecture hall and practice their writing – with individual tutoring.

The Mythgard Academy Summer Camp takes it one step further by offering students a unique chance to  study on-campus at Washington College.  Participants will be asked to write about either The Fellowship of the Ring or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – both the book and the film adaptation – using iPads and new media tools.

Learn more about both at Mythgard’s site.  If you have younger fans of the Tolkien Professor in your household, we’re sure they are going to love it!

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Apr

08

Faerie and Fantasy 24

Faerie and Fantasy 24 continues with George McDonald’s “The Princess and the Goblin”, Chapters 11-20. Download it here.

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Mar

28

Silmarillion Seminar 21 is Posted!

At long last, Silmarillion Seminar Episode 21, “Random Things Mandos Said at a Party” (the second session on Chapter 19, “Of Beren and Luthien”) is now available for download.

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Mar

23

Riddles in the Dark: Episode Five

The latest installment of Dr. Olsen’s Riddles in the Dark podcast series has just been posted over at Mythgard’s site.  Take a listen as he and Dave Kale discuss “Bombur and Buffoonery” – the beginnings of the talks on how humor might be incorporated into Peter Jackson’s celluloid adaptation of Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

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Mar

18

The Dawn of a New Era

Signum University Banner

Recently, The Tolkien Professor has been very busy launching a brand new option in higher education.  Like its sister school, the Mythgard Institute, the newly founded Signum University aims to bring top-notch teaching to students everywhere using innovative educational technology – at a price that people can actually afford.

Learn more about Signum University.  We’re sure you’ll love what you see!

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