The Hobbit Series Lecture 5, Part 1, in which we consider the forest of Mirkwood and its denizens. Text: Chapters 8, 9, and 10: "Flies and Spiders," "Barrels Out of Bond," and "A Warm Welcome."

Call-In Office Hours 1

Jan 9th, 2010 25m

The Tolkien Professor takes calls by Skype from listeners. Topics covered include the Eye of Sauron, the death of the Witchking, and Gandalf's death.

Announcements: Fall 2009

Oct 5th, 2009 7m 10s

Announcements of imminent events and upcoming new content.

Tolkien Chat 2: Tara Holste

Oct 2nd, 2009 44m 38s

A chat with Tara Holste, Washington College Class of '07, about class relations in Tolkien's fiction, with a primary focus on the relationship between masters and servants.

Tolkien Chat 1: Ben Kozlowski

Sep 13th, 2009 42m 58s

A chat with Ben Kozlowski, Washington College Class of '08, about the knowledge of evil in Tolkien's world.

Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 3

1 Sep 6th, 2009 29m 22s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 3, in which we examine Beorn, then step back and draw some conclusions about the Wild, followed by a brief discussion of fate and a close reading of the dwarves' song, "The Wind Was on the Withered Heath." Tex

Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 2

1 Aug 3rd, 2009 14m 39s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 2, in which we take a close look at the goblins, the wargs, and the eagles. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 1

1 Jul 31st, 2009 13m 7s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 1, in which we look at the changes in Bilbo and his relationship with Gandalf and the dwarves. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

On Tolkien's Secondary World

Jul 27th, 2009 17m 57s

A third informal podcast, in which the Tolkien Professor doesn't exactly answer anybody's questions, but talks about some of the issues involved in doing so

On Dragons and Orcs

Jul 20th, 2009 21m 37s

A second informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses Smaug's family history and the social life of orcs

Tolkien and the Environment

Jul 13th, 2009 1h 4m

TP Bonus Content: A live recording of a joint lecture I gave in October 2008 with a former student, Shannon Holste, Washington College '07

On Wingless Balrogs and Tom Bombadil

Jul 8th, 2009 22m 39s

An informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses his views on the winglessness of Balrogs and the identity of Tom Bombadil

At the Roots of the Mountain

1 Jun 16th, 2009 49m 52s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 3, in which we come to the turning point of Bilbo's career. Containing a discussion of orcs and a careful reading of the Gollum encounter, riddle by riddle. Text: Chapters 4 and 5, "Over Hill and Under Hill" and "Rid

The Ridiculous and the Sublime

1 Jun 16th, 2009 32m 48s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 2, in which I look at the beginning of Bilbo's burlarious career and examine the natures of trolls and elves. Text: Chapters 2 and 3, "Roast Mutton" and "A Short Rest"

Took and Baggins

1 Jun 16th, 2009 37m 10s

The Hobbit Series Lecture 1, in which I examine how Tolkien introduces his fantasy world through his flustered little protagonist. Text: Chapter 1, "An Unexpected Party"

How to Read Tolkien and Why

Jun 16th, 2009 28m 25s

The Intro Lecture, in which I discuss Tolkien's understanding of the nature and importance of storytelling. Primary Text: Tolkien's essay "On Fairy-Stories"

SilmFilm 7-10: Nirnaeth Arnoediad

13 days ago 2h 37m

Having planned the outline of Season 7, it is now time to think in a little more detail about the last quarter of the season: the Battle itself.Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Other Minds and Hands, Episode 70

13 days ago 1h 22m

Today Maggie and Corey return to Tolkien in order to begin looking more carefully at the act of translation being done in the process of the conversion from book to film.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptat

Other Minds and Hands, Episode 69

22 days ago 1h 31m

Maggie and Corey make a brief return to Arrakis this evening, joined once more by our resident Dune experts, Dom Nardi and Trevor BrierlyOther Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 69,recorded on Apri

Other Minds and Hands, Episode 68

22 days ago 49m 48s

Happy Gondorian New Year! Corey and Maggie celebrate the day with a discussion of their discussion of the adaptation of the Prologue to the Lord of the Rings.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episod

Other Minds and Hands, Episode 67

Mar 24th, 2024 1h 25m

Maggie and Corey turn from Arrakis and return to their Children's Lit Adaptation sub-theme with Peter Pan.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 67,recorded on March 18 2024.Join us on Mondays a