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The Tolkien Professor

The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, Assistant Professor of English at Washington College in Maryland. Find me on Facebook at “The Tolkien Professor,” on Twitter at @tolkienprof, or at my website at www.tolkienprofessor.com. I have also begun a grand new venture: the Mythgard Institute, offering courses on Tolkien studies for credit at the MA level, or just for fun! Join us at www.mythgard.org.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 13: Tolkien Chat 2: Tara Holste Oct 02, 2009

Show notes

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.

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Episode 12: Tolkien Chat 1: Ben Kozlowski Sep 13, 2009

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

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Episode 11: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 3 Sep 06, 2009

Show notes

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." Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

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Episode 10: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 2 Aug 03, 2009

Show notes

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"

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Episode 9: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 1 Jul 31, 2009

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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"

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Episode 8: On Tolkien's Secondary World Jul 27, 2009

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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

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Episode 7: On Dragons and Orcs Jul 20, 2009

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

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Episode 6: Tolkien and the Environment Jul 13, 2009

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

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Episode 5: On Wingless Balrogs and Tom Bombadil Jul 08, 2009

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

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Episode 4: At the Roots of the Mountain Jun 15, 2009

Show notes

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 "Riddles in the Dark"

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