Bettering oneself
Alright, I've thought about this for years, but haven't really seriously considered it. Years ago I mentioned Mythgard Institute (now Mythgard Academy) and their Tolkien courses. From that starting point, they have now developed Signum University, an actual online university for studies of such things as Tolkien, philology, and various types of literature. They have a master's program (which I wouldn't do - a thesis and whatnot terrifies me), but they also have a certificate program, which involves taking five courses in a focused area.
I really want that certificate in Tolkien studies. How great would it be to be able to say that I have that, just for my own benefit, if nothing else. I'm a little intimidated by the thought of online master's level courses, but it's only five, right? And I'm in no rush, I could do them one at a time and be done in 2 1/2 years (or a little more, depending on what is offered when).
One problem, though, is that with the choices of courses they have, I think I might enjoy getting their Germanic Philology certificate more than their Tolkien one. "Philology Through Tolkien" doesn't count toward the Tolkien certificate, for example, and of course I'd love to learn Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse.
But I don't need to decide on that right now. Right now I've decided I'm going to take one of their 'Anytime Audit' courses and see how it goes. The Anytime Audit courses are courses that are not being offered currently that you can take at your own pace and learn just for fun. "Philology Through Tolkien" is one of those courses. My plan is to try to do it according to the 12-week schedule it was first created with and see if I can keep up. It won't be quite the same because I won't be doing assignments, exams, or discussion boards, but it will give me an idea of what is involved. And if the assignments are listed in the outline of the course, I can just do them anyway. Also, like I said, that course is in the Germanic Philology program, not the Tolkien one, so this way if I decide to go the Tolkien route, I won't miss out on it. And if I go the Germanic Philology route, it opens up space for one more philological course, with me being able to take this one for far cheaper. I've wanted to take this course for about six years, so it's about time I do it.
So there you have it. I may or may not be going back to school. I'm very glad they have the Anytime Audit option so I can try it out before committing. We'll see!
I really want that certificate in Tolkien studies. How great would it be to be able to say that I have that, just for my own benefit, if nothing else. I'm a little intimidated by the thought of online master's level courses, but it's only five, right? And I'm in no rush, I could do them one at a time and be done in 2 1/2 years (or a little more, depending on what is offered when).
One problem, though, is that with the choices of courses they have, I think I might enjoy getting their Germanic Philology certificate more than their Tolkien one. "Philology Through Tolkien" doesn't count toward the Tolkien certificate, for example, and of course I'd love to learn Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse.
But I don't need to decide on that right now. Right now I've decided I'm going to take one of their 'Anytime Audit' courses and see how it goes. The Anytime Audit courses are courses that are not being offered currently that you can take at your own pace and learn just for fun. "Philology Through Tolkien" is one of those courses. My plan is to try to do it according to the 12-week schedule it was first created with and see if I can keep up. It won't be quite the same because I won't be doing assignments, exams, or discussion boards, but it will give me an idea of what is involved. And if the assignments are listed in the outline of the course, I can just do them anyway. Also, like I said, that course is in the Germanic Philology program, not the Tolkien one, so this way if I decide to go the Tolkien route, I won't miss out on it. And if I go the Germanic Philology route, it opens up space for one more philological course, with me being able to take this one for far cheaper. I've wanted to take this course for about six years, so it's about time I do it.
So there you have it. I may or may not be going back to school. I'm very glad they have the Anytime Audit option so I can try it out before committing. We'll see!
posted by melilotnfosco | 4:06 PM
7 Comments:
YES awesome! It sounds right up your alley and a great opportunity to do it as an audit first! So proud of you for jumping in on it!!!!
Agreed (with Auto). I think that will be a lot of fun for you! And the class(es) too, when you get there. ;)
I've decided that if this works for me, I'm going to go with the Tolkien certificate. Who knows, I might someday do both, but currently they have the biggest names in Tolkien scholarship teaching (or at least guest lecturing) in their Tolkien program. I'd like to take advantage of that while they're still around. Then we'll see about the other. This is all still hypothetical, but that would be the route I would take.
Helloooo! This is wonderful!!!! That sounds totally up your alley and I disagree about a thesis being too scary for you! I'm actually hoping to head back to school too next year so we can complain to each other about master's level courses being THE WORST!
haha - that sounds lovely!
What are you heading back for, Kimberly?
Hi!
So these classes - they eat you ALIIIIIIIVVVVVE! :D
Slowly catching up here - because I'm avoiding work of course! ;)
I'm starting a (technically) 2 year masters course in theology. Though it might end up being in church ministry or an M.Div. though that is longer. At any rate, I'm on the 10 year very-part-time plan. Currently, I'm working on a course on Christian formation - so how we think about and build communities of education in our churches.
Post a Comment
<< Home