Mythgard Institute Partners with UWIC

Mythgard Institute Press Release:

We are pleased to announce that the Mythgard Institute has agreed to a partnership with UWIC, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff!  We still have some paperwork to complete, but when it is done, our Mythgard courses will be fully accredited in the UK higher-education system.  We’ll explain all the details when everything is finalized.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dimitra Fimi will again be teaching her online Tolkien course at UWIC this October 2011.

The course is entitled J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context, and is taught entirely online in 10 week units that explore Tolkien’s medieval sources and cultural context. Enrollment for this UWIC course is now open.

Good news!  The course is fully accredited and carries 20 British/European credits at the Masters level.

Even better news! Dr. Fimi’s course (20 European credits = an American 3-credit course) will be accepted here at the Mythgard Institute as counting towards our M.A. program.

EXCLUSIVE: Middle-earth Network Takes on Publishing, Producing, and a Record Label

If you think there has been a lot of news surrounding Middle-earth Network lately with the launch of Mythgard Institute for Tolkien Studies, then hang on to your churchwarden pipe. In a recent letter posted on My Middle-earth (the network's social site) from network founder, Mark Ostley, we find out what other exciting projects the company has up their sleeves.




Mark writes, "We have indeed been promising a new blogging platform for awhile now. And yes we are a bit behind schedule. Keep in mind though, that this beta launched roughly 12 weeks ago. In the meantime we've have been working with the platform developer and budgeting ... both time and money resources to make this happen. And trust me, it will in [just] a few days. What we've done is to contract the individual who built the guts and platform for Ning and other social network providers. I've seen some of the bells and whistles he's come up with, and they're pretty impressive. In fact I'll go as far as to say that I think there's nothing like it out there."


Mark goes on to state that the new social platform will be tested this week and over the weekend and hopes to launch it within a week or two.


Meanwhile, Mythgard Institute, although newly launched, will also be seeing some improvements. Mark explains, "We've already brought in as guest lecturers 4 of the most recognized Tolkien scholars in the world. We're also working on full accreditation and are offering a Masters Degree program, and will be adding many more classes in the spring." 

So, Middle-earth Network is a social site, news source, radio station, and partner of an Institute. What else could they take on? How about producing, publishing, and a record label? 


In a phone interview I had with Mark moments ago he stated, "We are in the midst of negotiations with the well-know producer Kate Madison ('Born of Hope') and Actors at Work Productions on creating a high end fantasy movie/video series and as soon as things are finalized we'll announce the details."


Further down the letter we find out Middle-earth Network is also working with the members of the My Middle-earth social network community on a publishing label as well as a music label (with four bands already under it's belt) which Marks calls "a humble and hopeful start". 


Mark ends the letter with this: "Part of our vision and goal is to provide quality content, but the other goal is to become a haven and vehicle for artists, writers, educators, broadcasters & podcasters, musicians, and a greater community of people and fans who believe, as I do, that we can actually inspire the world around us by sharing the world we have in common. Many of these people who write music, literature, or work in the medium of paint and brush, for too long have been overlooked and have been given no support and no real outlet for some of the brilliant things they're doing...Already you see this reflected in [our] social community. Because in the end that's exactly what we are. A community. We started this because we all felt there was a need for people, and artists to interact and develop real working relationships and friendships. I personally believe (idealistic as I am) that this, in a small way actually makes the world a better place. Our job has been to not only develop some of these things, but to provide the best vehicles we can to make it work well, and make it as easy as possible for people to access... so suffice it to say that we've big plans, high hopes, and a massive amount of determination."


You can follow Middle-earth Network on Facebook. For the latest in network news follow Middle-earth News on Twitter.


To donate to the Middle-earth Network community click here.

EXCLUSIVE: Middle-earth Net and The Tolkien Professor Launch Mythgard Institute

That's right Tolkien fans! This is big news. Huge News! Thanks to Corey Olsen (The Tolkien Professor) and Middle-earth Network, anyone from around the world can have a chance to study Tolkien, his life, novels, and the effect they've had on us.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Mythgard Institite: Offering Tolkien Studies

Starting this fall, Tolkien fans will have an exciting new opportunity to learn more about the works that they love at the Mythgard Institute.

Mythgard is a new center for Tolkien studies, offering fully interactive courses online with world-class professors. The Institute is founded by Professor Corey Olsen, host of the celebrated Tolkien Professor podcast, in partnership with founders of Middle-Earth Network. Mythgard will be offering classes on Tolkien, the Inklings, and other fantasy authors which students can either audit or take for credit towards an MA in English. 

This Fall 2011, Mythgard is offering its first class: Tolkien and the Epic.  Readings will include Beowulf, the Volsungasaga, The Children of Hurin, and the Lord of the Rings.  The course will be taught by Professor Olsen with very special guest lectures by Tom Shippey, Verlyn Flieger, and Michael Drout.

Be sure to listen in to Middle-earth Network Radio this Tuesday, July 19th at 10pm EST for the official live radio announcement of the Mythgard Institute with Dr. Corey Olsen and founders from Middle-earth Network. You can also access MEnet Radio through the Tune-in application for mobile devices.


Follow Mythgard Institute on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest information on class schedules.