Tolkien "newbies" education activity at the Guild Of Tolkienology

[Lhunithiliel]

There has been an idea of organizing a large and long-lasting teaching - learning activity dedicated to the "newbies" to Tolkien writings.
The project is about to start at the Guild of Tolkienology and almost all preparations have been made in order this activity to be successful.

What we ask here is :
YEA! or NAY! would be the TTF - members' response to such a project.
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Basic Outline of the Project:

1/ A chapter-by-chapter Reading Discussion, managed by tutors - some of the most learned loremasters at TTF !!!!

Note: First book under research - "The Hobbit"!

2/ Assignements! - The tutors will give the "students" tasks as Q&A, tests, quizes, essays, etc.... with the purpose of making the "newbies" get a better understanding in Tolkien's works.
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We expect your high interest and participation! :) :cool:


V O T E ! ! !

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P.S. The Vote will go on untill the end of the coming week - March, 29-th.
Thank you!

[samjor]

Id just like to say that this is a fantastic idea and a great opporunity to better enjoy the world of Tolkien.

Count me in!!

[Lossengondiel]

Yes, I would like to join to see if I can understand the books a bit better.

I'll join! pm me when you have the final details!

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by samjor
Id just like to say that this is a fantastic idea and a great opporunity to better enjoy the world of Tolkien.

Count me in!!

Of course, samjor...
Besides it was YOUR idea! :D

[YayGollum]

Well, I have nothing to do with any of those crazy guilds for people to act smart, but I'm always ready to help people in my own crazy little way. I wouldn't think that this crazy idea would be good. sorry about that. Seems too much like work. Sure, it might be fun for the people that get to show off trivial knowledge, but I would think that a fan that is new to Tolkien would have more fun just winging it. oh well. *hides* just tossing an opinion out there. Maybe lots of people new to Tolkien won't mind walking up to you people and saying, "Hi. I want to go back to school to learn how to understand a bunch of books that are just supposed to be entertainment in the first place. Can you help me?" :rolleyes:

[samjor]

Well Lhun I thought that if there was one positive post people would read it and hopefully follow suit


lol

[YayGollum]

Yikes! I hope that you don't expect the people you're planning on teaching to be that brainless! :eek:

[Lhunithiliel]

I have checked the poll and it says: 8 - Yes and 1- No.

This is good :)..... but, hey, you, who voted, why haven't you dropped a line to say a few words?! ;)

Anyway, I would also like to say that this is NOT going to be anything like having dull and boring classes on Tolkien!
The tutors have promissed quite an emotional and sometimes even "unconventional" approach towards the whole matter. ;) :D

So, I hope those in the forum, who finds it not sufficient just to "surf" on the Middle-earth "wave" but wish to get a deeper understanding, will find it interesting.

[Idril]

Good idea - anything which helps in our understanding and enjoyment of Tolkien - bring it on.

[Ol'gaffer]

Who's Tolkien?

[HW_rapace]

wouldn't it be nice if everyone had his own idea about Tolkiens works :) instead of just accepting the 'Tutors' ideas.

[Idril]

just accepting the 'Tutors' ideas
I don't think that's the idea. I expect it will encourage us to expand our own thoughts on the subject.

[samjor]

Thats a very good point.

I think this is a good idea because it can help people to form their own opinion and understand the ideas of Tolkien. and who knows the history of Tolkien and his ideas better but the people who have studied the subject and are willing to help the ignorant.

[Ithilin]

ah...I agree with YayGollum...If you're going to read them it should be for enjoyment...

and when you think about it, none (or atleast most of them anyway) of the "tutors" or Tolkienologists had these sort of lessons when they started off either...everyone should discover Tolkien's world by themselves..just like everyone else does.
If they have questions they can always ask here at TTF...

Not a bad idea, just unnecessary I think..

[Lhunithiliel]

Strange that some of you have understood the ide of the project as an attempt of "brain-washing"!
Because if you think so, then you are very very wrong!

But if you prefer understanding the hobbits just as little funny people and the Ring just as a magic item ... or the Elves... just as some fairy-tale creatures from babies bed-time stories.... Well, then ... as Ol'gaffer has asked .... WHO THE H*** IS TOLKIEN? ...and I'd continue.... WHAT IS THIS FORUM ABOUT IF NOT ABOUT UNDERSTANDING TOLKIEN?

:confused: :rolleyes:

[Ol'gaffer]

My dear Luthie. I asked that who is tolkien by means of being sarcastic. Obviously that didn't work for you lot.

Secondly, I don't think that telling newbies who come to "The TOLKIEN forum" and then question that who's tolkien and who are those little guys with furry legs?

Brainwashing is a completely different matter. See the "war on terrorism" commercials for that.

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Ol'gaffer
[B]My dear Luthie. I asked that who is tolkien by means of being sarcastic. Obviously that didn't work for you lot.
My dearest Ol'gaffer, :D
Please allow me to assure you that I have very well sensed your sarcasm! And it's OK with me!
Secondly, I don't think that telling newbies who come to "The TOLKIEN forum" and then question that who's tolkien and who are those little guys with furry legs?
Will you finish your thought?
Because I am sure that there are a lot of people who look for TOLKIEN forums in order to DISCUSS Tolkien writings and exchange opinions and points of view and find some more information from those who have "spent" more years in Middle-earth.
So, I don't think there is need to be sarcastic about or criticise their wish to learn more, don't you think?

You are not interested - FINE! :)
There is a lot of space at TTF - for different interests and for different people, right?

[Ol'gaffer]

I never said I'm not interested! Where on earth did you read that?

[Beleg]

I voted in affirmative. As you very well know Lhun:)

[Walter]

Originally posted by HW_rapace
wouldn't it be nice if everyone had his own idea about Tolkiens works :) instead of just accepting the 'Tutors' ideas.Well of course... and having fun while reading it. And - as I see it - the main job of the tutors would be to try helping that "everyones own idea about Tolkien's works" can be developed with some underlying facts and not having to be based on wild speculations only...

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
But if you prefer understanding the hobbits just as little funny people and the Ring just as a magic item ... or the Elves... just as some fairy-tale creatures from babies bed-time stories... But, but, ... isn't that why Tolkien wrote The Hobbit, to begin with??? ;)

Originally posted by Nóm
But now I am at a point where any suggestions on the reading of HoMe from any scholars (and I mean the kind of which TTF probably has less than 4 who have posted within the last 2 months) would be very much appreciated.Aaah, I'd be eager to learn more about and from those "scholars" too. So much to learn, so little time...

----

Generally I'd like to say that I - of course - support this idea and would gladly share what little I do know with those who would like to hearken to the idle chatter of a withering old man... ;)

[YayGollum]

Helping that "everyones own idea about Tolkien's works" can be developed with some underlying facts and not having to be based on wild speculations only...? What's wrong with wild speculations? :D Adds spice. If somebody caught me while I was reading LOTR, I wouldn't be as crazy as I am now. Also, who gets to decide what's right and what's wrong? Having crazy tutor type people walking you through a story just seems creepy to me. Reading a book shouldn't be monitored like this. Maybe I'm just crazy. oh well. I'm sure that people that want to form their own opinions won't even want to pay any attention to tutor type people anyways. Whoever actually walks up to you people for help with understanding in a certain way while reading must be a pretty scary person anyways. *hides*

[Ecthelion]

I say yea

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by YayGollum
Helping that "everyones own idea about Tolkien's works" can be developed with some underlying facts and not having to be based on wild speculations only...? What's wrong with wild speculations? :D Adds spice. If somebody caught me while I was reading LOTR, I wouldn't be as crazy as I am now. Also, who gets to decide what's right and what's wrong? Having crazy tutor type people walking you through a story just seems creepy to me. Reading a book shouldn't be monitored like this. Maybe I'm just crazy. oh well. I'm sure that people that want to form their own opinions won't even want to pay any attention to tutor type people anyways. Whoever actually walks up to you people for help with understanding in a certain way while reading must be a pretty scary person anyways. *hides*
:) My young wild soul-mate, :)
I understand you perfectly well.
I am and have always been one of those who want to see the world throught their OWN eyes and NOT through those of someone else!
But you miss the point here, I'm afraid.
Tha point is NOT to tell you HOW to understand but to MAKE YOU THINK over issues and also PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION related to the subject of discussion.

What's wrong with having MORE information?!
This can only widen the "horizons" of your thought!

[YayGollum]

That doesn't creep anyone else out? That people are wanting to MAKE YOU THINK over issues? No enjoying the story just for the story? Stuff like ---> Oh, look! A scary tree that puts people to sleep and then eats them! Woah! Some crazy dude with big feet can mess with sentient trees just by singing at them! Weird! Not ---> Oh, you read the part with Old Man Willow and Tom Bombadil. Tolkien says that Tom Bombadil is an enigma, you know. There have been lots of debates about what he's really supposed to be? What do you think? Well, let's look at all the evidence and I'll let you come up with your own opinion, then I'll tell you what I think and since I'm the tutor here, you'll probably think that I know best. <--- Written with extreme sarcasm! :D

[Gil-Galad]

I would very much like to help "newbies" to understand and learn more about Tolkien and his ideas.what is more,nobody knows everything,so I would be glad to learn some additional information from more experienced members like Grond,Anc,Lhun,etc.

[samjor]

I think our idea has had a very positive response and that the interest is there?

So now that the numbers are there what about a starting date for the project?

Thank you

[Lhunithiliel]

Thank you, samjor! :D

With all the emotional happenings around the forum lately, this thread has received not many posts in more...
But, as you say, it is over now and we shall have to face the results:

THE RESULTS:

1/ It is more than obvious that there are lots of people here that have come to a TOLKIEN forum in order to have fun and play games.
This conclusion if extremely true taking into consideration the simple mathematics:

from about 2500 TTF-members - ONLY about 18 (if so at all!) have expressed their willingness to participate in an activity, which may only broaden the knowledge and understanding in Tolkien! :eek:

2/ According to the poll, there are 18 votes "Yes" for the project.

The important thing from here on is:

Let's find out WHO wishes to be a "student" and WHO - a "tutor"!

Please, use this thread in order to enlist yourselves.
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There are a few more steps to be taken further on the organization of the project and as soon as we are ready, it will start!
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I would like to thank all of you who have shown interest in the project! :)

I consider you true Tolkienologists and therefore

I would be very much pleased to invite ALL true tolkienologists to join the Guild of Tolkienology! :) :) :)

[samjor]

Please anyone interested in joining the newbie workshop please post at the relevant thread (ingnore Lhun's request above).
You will find the thread here at members announcements or at the Guild of Tolkienology.

Please for all of the above who have voted enlist now!!!!

AND REMEMBER YOU DONT HAVE TO BE A NEWBIE TO JOIN IN WITH THE WORKSHOP!