Lecture Schedule

[Eriol]

Greetings :).

Since Lhun asked very sweetly and nicely, I'll try to organize the new scheme of Tolkien Lectures. Let me tell you all beforehand that I'm not too organized myself :D; and I'm not too worried about that either.

Here's the deal: Beginning at the second Sunday of November, and every second Sunday after that, we will have a lecture written by one TTF member (this is NOT restricted to Tolkienologists; spread the word ;)).

This thread is just an "easy reference" thread for everybody to know what is the next lecture, who will talk about what, the themes, etc. etc. In a post beneath this one I will post the short list of themes I have imagined myself; everybody is urged to add to that list, to change themes, to combine themes, as they see fit.

The schedule proper will also be posted soon; as soon as I have applicants :D. Right now I only have two Lectures scheduled. The dates are flexible, but I'd like all to try to follow the scheme of one lecture every two weeks; to allow for discussion. Delays are expected ;); but as long as we strive for that goal, no problem will occur.

I'd also like to have a rotation of "major themes" in the Lectures; to avoid one philosophical lecture right after another, and so on.

I hope Lhun can "stick" this thread soon.

[Eriol]

Postponed - "The Problem of Evil in Arda" - Gil-Galad

Postponed - "The Ruin of Doriath and the Relationships between Elves and Dwarves" - Maedhros

December 21st - "Dwarvish Diplomacy" - InderjitS

January 4th - "Fate and Free Will in the Narn" - Aiwendil2.

January 18th - "A Speculative History of the Music of Arda" - Aiwendil2

February 1st - "Elvish Isolationism in the 2nd and 3rd Ages" - Gil-Galad.

February 15th, February 29th.... the endless cycle :)


Some spots to be filled in: just let me know and I'll schedule your Lecture here.

P.S. -- due to the postponements some dates have been rearranged.

[Eriol]

1) Philosophical

- The problem of Evil in Arda
- Manifestations of Evil in Arda, and their change through time
- Eru and the Valar -- the extent of independence among the Valar from the designs of Eru
- Souls: Properties and characteristics of fëar in Arda; the evolution of this concept in Tolkien's writings
- The Children of Ilúvatar and their relationship to Fate

2) Historical

- Origin of Hobbits
- Elven Pre-history
- Comparison of lifestyles among the races - similarities and differences
- History of Sauron
- Technological development in Arda
- Bans, Curses and Oaths in Tolkien's Works

3) Geo-political

- Economics in Arda
- The Realms of the Faithful Dúnedain
- Dwarvish diplomacy
- Relationships between Númenoreans and Men of Middle-Earth
- Elvish isolationism in the 2nd and 3rd ages

***

I think this is just a sample of the possibilities, guys. The major divisions are intended to make sure that there is something appealing to everybody. I don't want to let my mind roam too much and spoil the fun of finding out new ways of exploring and combining the themes... Just an example: I think one could write an essay exploring orcs, and in so he would examine all five of the philosophical themes proposed... in a very integrated way too.

[Nóm]

- Elven Pre-history

I will do this if no one else wants it, though I don't want to make any promises about when it can be done by. I tend to lose desire to do something when I have a deadline. So most likely I'll show up one day saying "It is done. Let me know when I should post it". :D

- Souls: Properties and characteristics of fëar in Arda; the evolution of this concept in Tolkien's writings

I can do this one as well. But if someone else wants these topics, go ahead. I'll come add to them after they are up.

[Lhunithiliel]

Nom....

It is either one takes up a topic and works on it seriously and posts it in due time or one doesn't .
It's as simple as that!

Besides, I would expect people to chose topics because they like them and they find them thrilling and worth doing some more research and studies and eventually assemble it all and share it with other Tolkien-fans.
All that ..... BUT! NOT because of some caprice or wrongly understood "generosity"!
I wonder very much at statemnets like:
I will do this if no one else wants it...
or
I can do this one as well. But if someone else wants these topics, go ahead. I'll come add to them after they are up.

You either take it because you like the topic or you simply leave it.
Believe me, there is no rush in this activity.

But once it starts, once the topics are distributed, the deadlines are to be observed!

[Nóm]

Well I wouldn't want to take a topic that someone else wants.

I would do it, I just don't know when it would be complete since I may end up going back to add more and more. But since I can not give a final date, I guess I will not do these.

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Nóm
Well I wouldn't want to take a topic that someone else wants.
C'mon, Nóm...
First come, first served as they say;):D.

[Gil-Galad]

Come on Nom!!!It's a great pleasure for everyone to read your ports and works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
Come on Nom!!!It's a great pleasure for everyone to read your ports and works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I second that...

*nods his head*

:D

[Eriol]

The deadlines are very far away... I hope Nóm will contribute to it. If you do not want a deadline, Nóm, what do you think of this: when your lecture is ready, you tell me, and then I fit it in in the earliest opened spot in the schedule? If this cycle is the rousing success we're planning it to be, this may be 2005 :D. But it allows for the lack of a deadline.

Seriously now, Nóm would make a marvellous lecturer, and if she does not want a deadline, the only effect (as I see it) is to set her lecture at an unknown date; and perhaps she will have a lecture "set and waiting" and will have to wait for a long time.

Also, I don't see any problem in two or more people writing different lectures on the same topic; it would be very interesting in my opinion, and not much of an overlap since there would be a great amount of time elapsed between the two lectures.

Bottomline: take the two topics that you want, Nóm. When a lecture is ready, tell me and I'll fit it into schedule. Or you may prefer to choose a late date; the six dates I put on the schedule are not supposed to end this activity! If you make the math and discover that June 24th is one of the Sundays in the sequence, you are free to take it... of course we'd want to read your lecture sooner, but if even Tolkien was a well known procrastinator, why should we not follow suit?

[Aiwendil2]

Perhaps I could do one.

Unfortunately, I may have to ask for the same kind of provision you offered to Nom - to do the essay whenever I've got time, and then let you know when it's ready. I may be able to get to work on it quite soon, but with school work being what it is I can't guarantee it.

I have a few topics in mind on which I think I could say something - "The Historical Development of Music in Arda"; "Fate and Free Will: The Genius of the Narn"; "On the Possibility of constructing a New Silmarillion".

Let me know which of these (if any) sounds most intriguing. (And don't worry, Eriol - I won't be invoking homonculi or solidity2 in any topic!)

[Eriol]

No homunculi? Then you won't take any hobbit topics... these are my favorites :D.

Pick one or two subjects, Aiwendil, and I'll add them to the list, with an unspecified date. I'd love to see that about Fate and Free Will... but that's me ;). I'm sure any of those topics have appeal to a lot of people.

[Gil-Galad]

Without a date?When this century or the next one?!!?
ok it's not a problem but I hope it will be soon!;) :p I think it's going to be really interesting Round of Lectures!!!!

[Aiwendil2]

Okay, I guess I'll do a lecture on the historical situation of music in Arda and one on fate and free-will in the Narn. But if this whole lecture thing is a success, I may be unable to restrain myself from doing the New Silmarillion one sometime in the future.

By the way, how long should these things be? I have a tendency toward long-windedness when it comes to nonfiction and I don't want to lose anyone's attention.

[Nóm]

Nóm, what do you think of this: when your lecture is ready, you tell me, and then I fit it in in the earliest opened spot in the schedule?
Eriol, that is just what I suggested myself and Lhunithiliel didn't want it. But as I said in my last post - if I decide to commit to a date I'll let you know. Meanwhile anyone else can take them.

[Maedhros]

This soul lecture seems interesting to me, but I don't know if Nom wants to do it.
If not, I would like to propose one about the Comparison of lifestyles among the races - similarities and differences, but I would focus it in the relationships between dwarves and Elves with regard to the Ruin of Doriath and how it evolved.

[Eriol]

Maedhros, if you don't mind, I'll place your name next to the November 23rd lecture spot in the Schedule at the beginning of this thread. I'll use as a title "The Ruin of Doriath and the Relationships between Elves and Dwarves"... if you don't agree with the scheduling or if you have another title let me know.

It's just that I'm getting anxious with all those blank spaces there in the schedule :D.

[Gil-Galad]

Maedhros I'm glad to see you want to take part,especially with such an interesting topic!!:)

[Maedhros]

I don't think I will have a problem with the date, because I have already devoted some time into researching the developments Of the Ruin of Doriath for a project. I find it fascinating, and the good thing is that you have the material from the Book of Lost Tales, Quenta Noldorinwa and a little tidbit from The Hobbit and of course The Published Silmarillion.
In there I think that you can see the entire evolution of the dwarves in the legendarium.
Maedhros I'm glad to see you want to take part,especially with such an interesting topic!!
I'm glad that you are glad.;)

[Nóm]

Maedhros, go ahead and take the spirit one if you want it. You've read everything I have on the subject.

And again, as I said before: If anyone else wants the topics, go ahead! They are not mine yet.

[Lhunithiliel]

All right...
I would like to take:

1/ "The Realms of the Faithful Dúnedain", w hich how ever I see closely related w ith "Relationships between Númenoreans and Men of Middle-Earth".
So, I suppose, w hen I start working on the main topic, I'll jus t have to start with the one that here above comes second. And also, I think that to a certain extent, this lecture will touch the subject of "Elvish isolationism in the 2nd and 3rd ages".

Anyway, Eri... ? May I have it?

Now.... There was a suggested topic at "The Study" /Noldorin Forge/ called "Bans, Curses and Oaths in Tolkien works" A couple of people started making up a list of them and then obviously the interest dried out :( Anywawy, as I am interested in this topic, Eri, could we probably include it as a Lecture and I'll do the research and write it ? Or........I have a BETTER idea: the people who started working on the lists could form up a team and as a team prepare this Lecture. Well ??????????

In either, case, what I ask for is to include this topic in the Lecture Round.

One more thing:
I was looking again through the List of the suggested topics and I think that "Origin of Hobbits" is one that the Guild has already worked on ....or could I be mistaken? :confused:

Now.... Nomeee... Common! Be wise! The only thing I objected to was the deadlines-issue! I am sure you w ill prepare a wonderful lecture and I'm looking forward to reading it! I only wish you didn't consider this activity as some kind of obligation or anything... Do it for the fun of learning more!

[Gil-Galad]

Lhun I think that the idea about the Curses,Bans and Oaths ig really good.
They need a deeper research,which can be fact only in the Hall of Lectures.

[Eriol]

The list in the beginning is not supposed to be the alpha and omega of Lectures :). Any topic is welcome. So, Lhun, if you want to give a Lecture on the relationship between Númenóreans and Men of Middle Earth, or a Lecture on the Realms of the Faithful (to me the main difference is that the second topic is focused on the 3rd age, and the first is focused on the 2nd age), go ahead!

Just give me a fitting title :).

I'll add the curses suggestion there... I think that's "historical".

Any other suggestion is welcome.

[Lhunithiliel]

S o, mine will be "Realms of the Faithful " but I think I shall have to touch a little from "Relationship between Númenóreans and Men of Middle Earth"
Yes - historical.
As for the "Bans , Curses and Oaths".... Hmm this one, if I'm alowed to take, will take me much more time!
W ell?

[Gil-Galad]

Lhun,I'm impatient to read your work on "Curses,Bans and Oaths",I like the topic so much..........
I see Madhros, and You and Eriol and Nom-it's going to be a real show!!

[Maedhros]

I see Madhros, and You and Eriol and Nom-it's going to be a real show!!
No, Aiwendil2 IS going to be the REAL show.

[Gil-Galad]

Why his lecture?:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Nóm]

Now.... Nomeee... Common! Be wise! The only thing I objected to was the deadlines-issue! I am sure you w ill prepare a wonderful lecture and I'm looking forward to reading it! I only wish you didn't consider this activity as some kind of obligation or anything... Do it for the fun of learning more!
The thing you objected to is the only thing I suggestd... that I would do it without a deadline. Eriol suggested the same thing I suggest (in different words of course) directly after you spoke against it. He was going over your head as guild leader, offering something you had just said you do not want. This is why i told Eriol that you were against. So this is it, it's final... if I get it done and no one else has taken it yet I'll let you guys know and you can accept it or not. But judging by what you said earlier you will not want it like this... you want deadline or no... which is fine by me, you make the rules.

[Lhunithiliel]

LOL.... Eri... You Brutus !!!!!!!!!! :p

Nom, how about just signing in the Round with those topics and start working on them?

BTW, I have received a valuable support for the "Ban..."-topic by Inder HIMSELF! We're forming up a team there. :cool: :)
Who else would like to join?

[Gil-Galad]

I am afraid you and Inder are too educated for me.I would very much like to help you but the problem is that I don't have the cognition you have in Tolkien's works.
Can I help you with something,Lhun,Inderjit?

[Aiwendil2]

Okay, Eriol - why don't you put me down for two lectures on whichever of the remaining dates you think are appropriate - "Fate and Free Will in the Narn" and "A Speculative History of Music in Arda".

[Inderjit S]

I would much rather do oaths then bans but both interest me. 'Curses' though are a no-no for me.

[Lhunithiliel]

Good! :)

The oaths are yours, then!

I'll take the curses .... Am I not a "cursed soul"!?! ;)

I would LOVE to see someone joining the team and take the bans, but if not... either I will take them or we can do them together, Inder..... Can we?

[Gil-Galad]

hey,Lhun,Inderjit,what about me?

[Inderjit S]

You can have bans, Gil-Galad.

[Gil-Galad]

oooooooo I can't take it because I've taken two topics and this will be the third one.It depends on Eriol,whether I'll take it or not.I suppose he would not like the fact I want to take third topic.:(
If I can't do it you can do it with Lhun together.

[Manveru]

Eager to work, huh, GG?;)
What an enthusiasm?

(maybe Eriol will be willing to grant you a 'permission' in the end...)

:D

[Gil-Galad]

Let's say that I'm in a new period of my life!!
That's my creative period!!!;) :p :cool:

[Aiwendil2]

Actually, Gil-Galad, I know what you mean - I'd be ready and eager to do a third essay as well.

Maybe we can convince Eriol to add some more dates.

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
hey,Lhun,Inderjit,what about me?
and then
oooooooo I can't take it because I've taken two topics and this will be the third one. It depends on Eriol,whether I'll take it or not.I suppose he would not like the fact I want to take third topic.
If I can't do it you can do it with Lhun together.
Now.... WHAT ??????????
I couldn't finally get it! Are you taking the bans or not?:confused:
Blue Angel, if my memory doesn't play tricks on me, I do have a memory of a "ceratin Manveru" actively participating in completing the three lists on that topic! ;) :p .... Am I right? ......

W E L L ??? ;) .....(You know what I mean! :p )

Inder, do you think the lists are full enough as to start working on them?

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel


Now.... WHAT ??????????
I

Ok,who will do bans?Manveru or me?I can do it if Eriol don't have anything in mind,because it will be my third topic.

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Blue Angel, if my memory doesn't play tricks on me, I do have a memory of a "ceratin Manveru" actively participating in completing the three lists on that topic! ;) :p .... Am I right? ......

W E L L ??? ;) .....(You know what I mean! :p )

Are you refering to me being banished... out here... up north, boss?;)
Originally posted by Gil-Galad
Ok,who will do bans?Manveru or me?
Well, two things...
First of all, I'm not much a kind of a 'scholar-type' person (rather 'artisic one', though I was 'alseep' for some time--should change soon).
Second of all (and I think more important than the first one above;)), I'm still far behind in reading. I'm struggling to finish UT and I don't even want to mention HoMe, which I didn't even see with my own eyes (only at amazon.com;)), except for some 'shards' of Athrabeth...
Maybe I'm lessening myself (again), but I think that it's a 'broad' topic (though very interesting--no question about that) and someone relying on The Sil only can miss some 'crucial' matters...

Unless, of course, someone thinks different...

[Lhunithiliel]

G-G, Manveru, ANY help would be MOST WELCOME! :)

[Gil-Galad]

ok I have a suggestion!
Manveru and I will the lecture about bans?!We can make it in a team!Thus it will be the first lecture done by two membres!!!
What would you say Manv?
Lhun what would you say too?!

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
ok I have a suggestion!
Manveru and I will the lecture about bans?!We can make it in a team!Thus it will be the first lecture done by two membres!!!
What would you say Manv?
Hmm... "What should I say?" there comes a brief thought thru a tiny 'illuminated' brain of an arch...

Alll righty then... if I can be a 'help' of some kind... sure, why not.

[Eriol]

This cycle is supposed to be endless, folks :). I just put 6 dates there because I didn't want a mile-long post. As soon as the first lecture is done I'll delete it and replace the date with another.

The restriction on two topics is to prevent 'hogging'. I'll drop it quickly if you wish. But perhaps G-G can wait until he gives his first lecture, and then take up bans ;).

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Eriol
This cycle is supposed to be endless, folks :). I just put 6 dates there because I didn't want a mile-long post. As soon as the first lecture is done I'll delete it and replace the date with another.

The restriction on two topics is to prevent 'hogging'. I'll drop it quickly if you wish. But perhaps G-G can wait until he gives his first lecture, and then take up bans ;).
I like the your idea,Eri!!!Let me finish The Problem of Evil in Arda(I've started working on it!!!!)and then I take bans together with Manveru.Is that ok?:confused:

[Eriol]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
I like the your idea,Eri!!!Let me finish The Problem of Evil in Arda(I've started working on it!!!!)and then I take bans together with Manveru.Is that ok?:confused:

Surely it is :)

I'm glad to add InderjitS's name to the list of our scheduled lecturers. Inder, if there is a problem with the date let me know.

[Aiwendil2]

Hmm . . . I see I was not added to the schedule. Maybe you missed my last post, Eriol. If it's okay I'd like to do "Fate and Free Will in the Narn" and "A Speculative History of the Music of Arda" for the two remaining dates.

[Eriol]

Originally posted by Aiwendil2
Hmm . . . I see I was not added to the schedule. Maybe you missed my last post, Eriol. If it's okay I'd like to do "Fate and Free Will in the Narn" and "A Speculative History of the Music of Arda" for the two remaining dates.

Sorry about that, it's done. I was not sure whether you'd like to to both so close to each other or pick a later date for one of them.

So we have the first 6 lectures now, folks :).

That does not mean that people can't pick topics and be scheduled in later dates! Please pick a topic, from that list of from your own devising, if you, dear reader, is interested in our Lectures!

[Lhunithiliel]

Swell! :mad:

What about me???????????

[Gil-Galad]

Hehehe....I don't know Lhun,just take something.Or if you don't you can finally concetrate on Feanor's biography for The Gallery of Characters.I'm going to change some things there and that is why I need to have all late biographies by the end of this week.Can you do it,pls?:(

[Lhunithiliel]

Hehehe :)

G-G, I have sort of picked a topic or two and in fact have already started gathering material about them.

As for Feanor .... I am working on it. But to be ready by the end of the week .....? I am afraid I can't do it.... although I'll try. :rolleyes:

[Gil-Galad]

I hope you can do it!!!:)
Otherwise I will not be able to start the changins I am planning to do.:)

[Eriol]

:D

The time for our first lecture is approaching. Gil-Galad will not be able to deliver his lecture on the Problem of Evil due to real life bothers like exams :(. But there will be a lecture on Sunday, never fear.

On what?

I'll keep it a secret, for the very good reason that I don't know yet :). We'll see. Tune in to this very channel on Sunday :).

[Gil-Galad]

Yes Eri,you are right.My first exam in Dutch is on Monday and I have to prepare myself.I've started working on my lecture and actually I've written about 6 Microsoft Word pages and I'm still talking about Melkor.
OMG,my lecture will be very very very long and I'm sure there will be many discussions about it,because of my thesis.But I'm talking too much.....:p just wait till November 17th!!!

[Gil-Galad]

I saw you opened the thread for the lectures and I read "eventually".
I WILL post for sure the lecture,just to pass the exam,please.:(

[Inderjit S]

sorry, but I am going not going to my 'Dwarvish Diplomacy' essay, my father passed away recently, and I really cannot be bothered at present.

[Aiwendil2]

I'm very sorry about this, but I'm afraid that it will be impossible for me to have my lecture on the Narn ready by tomorrow. I've been busier than I expected lately - though I know that's a poor excuse. I can , I hope, have it ready by later next week.

[Gil-Galad]

Don't worry boys,take the time you need.
Especially you Inder,take the time you need,we are all sorry for that tragedy :( I hope you will be better soon. :(

[Aiwendil2]

I must apologize for the fact that the Narn essay has not appeared yet. The beginning of the semester has turned what should have been a short delay into a long one.

[Finduilas]

So...how are the lectures going? :) Any left?

[Firawyn]

I'm confused. :confused: Are the lectures going to be posted here or somewhere else? Just-just-just someone please explain this thing to me. I would be interested in doing one or two in the future. Perhaps the history of Sauron...

[Eriol]

I'm confused. :confused: Are the lectures going to be posted here or somewhere else? Just-just-just someone please explain this thing to me. I would be interested in doing one or two in the future. Perhaps the history of Sauron...

This thread is just to discuss the schedule. So if you want to do one, you say what is the subject, and when do you think it will be done. Then, at the appointed time (hehe, we had our share of late lectures, so don't worry about that), you open a thread with your lecture, and in that thread the lecture is discussed.

The thread of your lecture becomes stickied by the Guild-Leader, once it is posted.

I hope that helps.

If you (or Finduilas :)) wants to do a lecture, just go ahead and state the subject and the date of the lecture right here.

[Lhunithiliel]

May I post a lecture? :cool: :p

[Firawyn]

How about...The History of Sauron and Melkor sometime in early June? That way I have a little time to prepare myself.

What say you?

[Eriol]

How about...The History of Sauron and Melkor sometime in early June? That way I have a little time to prepare myself.

What say you?

Ok by me. Set a date.

Even wraiths are welcome :cool:.