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- Would you like to explore Tolkien’s classic stories
in greater depth, under the guidance of a
dedicated college professor who loves Tolkien as
much as you do?
- If you are
- A serious Tolkien fan, interested in a close and engaging
examination of Tolkien’s texts
- A casual reader of the Lord of the Rings, eager to learn more
about Tolkien’s thought and his imagined world
- A fan of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, curious to
discover more about Middle Earth
- Try a class with the Tolkien Professor!
- What value Tolkien believed that the genre of fantasy has
for its readers?
- What prompted Tolkien to have the name "Luthien"
carved on his beloved wife's tombstone?
- Who Gandalf is and what his function is in the story?
- What Tolkien’s stories tell us about his understanding of
hope, of grief, of pride, of loss, and of grace?
- My name is Corey Olsen. I am an English PhD, a professor
of medieval literature, and a Tolkien scholar. On this site, I
will be posting an ongoing series of lectures on Tolkien's
major works for you to download and listen to on your
computer, your iPod, or any other MP3 player. I hope that
they will be as much fun for you to listen to as they are for
me to make.
If you are interested in joining me on a rich and
exciting exploration of Tolkien’s stories, then…
| Click friend, and enter! |
| Student Testimonials |
I teach in the English department
of Washington College, a small
liberal arts college in Chestertown,
Maryland. Here is what some of
my students have to say about my
classes:
of Washington College, a small
liberal arts college in Chestertown,
Maryland. Here is what some of
my students have to say about my
classes:
This is me with Teresa, one of my
students from the class of 2007.
students from the class of 2007.
- Would you
like to know...
| Questions? Comments? Email me at olsen@tolkienprofessor.com |
"Before I took Prof. Olsen's Tolkien course, I had no idea of the depth of
J.R. R. Tolkien's work, but now I have gained a much deeper appreciation
and knowledge of his literature. Prof. Olsen teaches his classes with great
clarity and great passion. Of the four classes I have taken with Prof.
Olsen, the Tolkien class was my favorite because of his obvious
enthusiasm and love for Tolkien's work."
- Rebecca, Class of 2007
J.R. R. Tolkien's work, but now I have gained a much deeper appreciation
and knowledge of his literature. Prof. Olsen teaches his classes with great
clarity and great passion. Of the four classes I have taken with Prof.
Olsen, the Tolkien class was my favorite because of his obvious
enthusiasm and love for Tolkien's work."
- Rebecca, Class of 2007
"I found Dr. Olsen's class on Tolkien both engaging and enlightening. His
lectures are animated and light hearted, leading you through his own
thought process in such a way that you feel as though you and he are
discovering his conclusions simultaneously. In my opinion, when
lecturing on a topic that is as well known and enjoyable as Tolkien's
literature, the greatest danger is that the lecturer will stifle the characters
with weighty philosophical thoughts; Dr. Olsen masterfully avoids this
pitfall so that, rather than causing reader to see the characters as dreary
literary case studies, he gives Tolkien's characters a depth of personality
that makes them simultaneously more powerful and enjoyable. I would
highly recommend Dr. Olsen's lectures to both those who wish to make a
serious study of Tolkien as well as those who simply love spending time
in Tolkien's fairy world."
- Emily Storm, Class of 2007
lectures are animated and light hearted, leading you through his own
thought process in such a way that you feel as though you and he are
discovering his conclusions simultaneously. In my opinion, when
lecturing on a topic that is as well known and enjoyable as Tolkien's
literature, the greatest danger is that the lecturer will stifle the characters
with weighty philosophical thoughts; Dr. Olsen masterfully avoids this
pitfall so that, rather than causing reader to see the characters as dreary
literary case studies, he gives Tolkien's characters a depth of personality
that makes them simultaneously more powerful and enjoyable. I would
highly recommend Dr. Olsen's lectures to both those who wish to make a
serious study of Tolkien as well as those who simply love spending time
in Tolkien's fairy world."
- Emily Storm, Class of 2007
"Prof. Olsen and I met through our mutual love of Tolkien's works. His
way of speaking and lecture style are very friendly and engaging, and
some of my best time has been spent in his office, geeking out together
over our favorite characters, themes, etc. A great Professor even a Bio
major like me can adore."
- Jessica, Class of 2007
way of speaking and lecture style are very friendly and engaging, and
some of my best time has been spent in his office, geeking out together
over our favorite characters, themes, etc. A great Professor even a Bio
major like me can adore."
- Jessica, Class of 2007
"Prof. Corey Olsen is an immensely well-informed Medievalist,
possessing both the academic expertise to appreciate Tolkien’s own
literary influences, as well as the insight and inclination to analyze
Tolkien’s works in their own laudable sphere. Universally loved and
appreciated by students, Prof. Olsen’s own palpable delight in his subject
never fails to inspire the same feeling in those who hear him teach.
Delivered in an amiable, conversational style, his lectures thoroughly
illuminate the text and make even the lengthiest and driest passages
spring brilliantly to life."
- Liam Daley, Class of 2007
Winner of the Sophie Kerr Prize for Literature
possessing both the academic expertise to appreciate Tolkien’s own
literary influences, as well as the insight and inclination to analyze
Tolkien’s works in their own laudable sphere. Universally loved and
appreciated by students, Prof. Olsen’s own palpable delight in his subject
never fails to inspire the same feeling in those who hear him teach.
Delivered in an amiable, conversational style, his lectures thoroughly
illuminate the text and make even the lengthiest and driest passages
spring brilliantly to life."
- Liam Daley, Class of 2007
Winner of the Sophie Kerr Prize for Literature
"Professor Olsen is a brilliant professor who is dedicated to his work and
his students; I took his Medieval Studies course on a whim and wound up
taking every other class he offered during my college career. His
lectures on Tolkien were by far my favorite because of the ways his
humor and insight convey his absolute love of Tolkien's works and his
unending enthusiasm for all things Middle-Earth. Professor Olsen's
reputation as a beloved teacher and dedicated scholar continues to
spread, and he will no doubt make an indelible mark in the world of
literary studies."
- Afton W, Class of 2006
his students; I took his Medieval Studies course on a whim and wound up
taking every other class he offered during my college career. His
lectures on Tolkien were by far my favorite because of the ways his
humor and insight convey his absolute love of Tolkien's works and his
unending enthusiasm for all things Middle-Earth. Professor Olsen's
reputation as a beloved teacher and dedicated scholar continues to
spread, and he will no doubt make an indelible mark in the world of
literary studies."
- Afton W, Class of 2006