Tag Archives: University

Wake Me Up When September Comes: A Note on Teaching this Fall

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Brenton Dickieson

Summer has come and passed, at least here in Prince Edward Island. As the unofficial farmer’s almanac committee that have their meetings at the Tim Horton’s gauge it, our PEI summer typically breaks on the Gold Cup & Saucer weekend. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Eugene Peterson, Maritime Christian College, Prince Edward Island, Regent College, Signum University, Soulcraft, The King's College, University, University of Prince Edward Island, UPEI | 13 Comments

Can Cod-liver Oil Cure Us of Poetry? A Thought on the Uselessness of Poets in Today’s Economy from L.M. Montgomery’s Rainbow Valley

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Brenton Dickieson

It was probably unfair that I had this much fun in a government meeting, but it is even more unfair that the fun came at another’s expense. It is no secret that North American state, provincial, and federal governments view … Continue reading →

Posted in L.M. Montgomery, Memorable Quotes, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged academics, economics, fantasy literature, L.M. Montgomery, Milton, Poetry, Prince Edward Island, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside, Ronald Reagan, Shakespeare, speculative fiction, University, utilitarianism | 9 Comments

What is Signum Culture? A Signum Symposium hosted by Brenton Dickieson (Thursday, 2pm EST)

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Brenton Dickieson

Signum University is a unique institution of learning. Beginning with the Mythgard Academy and a model of diving deep into some of our most engaging books, Signum University has developed an online, low-cost MA programme with majors in Tolkien Studies, … Continue reading →

Posted in News & Links | Tagged academia, British Literature, Corey Olsen, Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien, literature, Mythgard Academy, Signum University, speculative fiction, University | Leave a comment

Doctor Doctor

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Brenton Dickieson

So, one of the fun things about successfully defending my PhD was landing back at my local university. While students were congratulatory, it is my colleagues who know the tremendous work (and often deep pain) that goes into a PhD. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged academia, PhD, Teaching, University, UPEI | 5 Comments

What Counts as an Old Book? A Response by Dale Nelson

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Brenton Dickieson

This is a response to “What Counts as a Classic? A Conversation with C. S. Lewis and Goodreads,” a blog post I wrote on 18 Dec. 2018 centred on images like the one above. There was quite a conversation that … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogs | Tagged Arthuriana, Bible, C.S. Lewis, canon, Cultural Capital, Dale Nelson, Harold Bloom, John Guillory, literature, The Western Canon, University | 29 Comments

This Time of Year, This Time of Life

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Brenton Dickieson

As a house full of educators and students, normally this week our family is having first first days, second first days, and third first days. My son’s first day of high school was yesterday. He was off to school, nervous … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged academic, archival research, Bodleian, Bodleian Library, C.S. Lewis, Oxford, Oxford C.S. Lewis Society, PhD Research, Planet Narnia, research, spiritual theology, Teaching, University, UPEI | 11 Comments

C.S. Lewis’ Normal and Not-So-Normal Life as a Student

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

As the cobblestone streets and hallowed halls of Oxford are beginning to fill for Michaelmas term, University students and faculty have been back to work here in North America. As I have a busy semester of teaching, I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Letters, Lewis Biography | Tagged Anna Karenina, C.S. Lewis, Canterbury Tales, Cecil Harwood, diaries, Erewhon, History, owen barfield, Oxford, Poetry, Rudolph Steiner, University, writing | 11 Comments

A Lament for the Loss of Young Teachers (A Feature Friday Post from the Vault)

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

I am doing work in the statistical analysis division of our labour market research unit in government. Of course, I am. After all, I’m doing a PhD in fantasy literature. I wrote this piece a couple of years ago, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature Friday, On Writing, Original Research, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged academic, art, Education, higher education, Mr. Holland's Opus, On Writing, Richard Dreyfuss, Ronald Reagan, Teaching, theology, Theology of Culture, University | 8 Comments

My Teaching Philosophy on the 1st Day of School

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

In the springtime I was thrilled to receive a teaching award. Today I’m walking into the classroom for the first time since then. Every time I step in front of students, I think about what I am doing. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Original Research, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged academic, higher ed, higher education, Pedagogy, Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Teaching, University, UPEI | 14 Comments

My Teaching Philosophy

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Brenton Dickieson

Last week I was duly chuffed to receive a teaching award. I mentioned my “teaching philosophy” in that post, which piqued some curiosity. I thought I would post my teaching philosophy, developed over my decade or so in the classroom … Continue reading →