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Academic Fine-Print for Grownups: Students in this class will create imaginary characters and interact as those heroes to mend fractured classic stories, defeat the Master Prompter, and save the multiversal Master Folio. This course offers students a unique, interdisciplinary journey that blends Renaissance-era history and Shakespearean literature with the enchanting worlds of European folklore, early science, and classical mythology. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of early modern Europe—from 16th-century Italian city-states to the stormy highlands of Scotland and enchanted fey realms—students will step into the roles of royal scholars, investigators, stagehands, and diplomats. They will interact as diplomats, strategists, and natural philosophers to restore love to Verona, bring harmony to the Feywild, unravel historical prophecies, and heal a broken multiverse.
Through this immersive, fantastical narrative, students will be deeply connected to real-world history, literature, and folklore, with optional homework available exploring Elizabethan stagecraft, Renaissance politics, early modern medicine, and Tudor-era culinary arts that players can complete to earn special in-game credit. It is an engaging, warm, and highly collaborative environment where students will gain rich insights into history and literature while sharpening their teamwork, improvisation, creative writing, and practical math skills.
For your Curriculum Records, we will cover:
Early Modern History & Renaissance Culture
Shakespearean Literature & Narrative Structure
Comparative European Folklore & Mythology
Early Scientific Inquiry & Early Modern Medicine
Creative Writing & Dramatic Analysis
Diplomacy, Ethics & Conflict Resolution
Introduction to Academic & Historical Research
Learning Goals:
Literary Analysis & Narrative Structure: Students will examine classic theatrical works (Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, and The Tempest), identifying core themes, dramatic arcs, and poetic forms while understanding how Early Modern English shaped modern storytelling.
Historical Literacy & Early Modern Context: Students will explore 16th- and 17th-century European history, learning to distinguish between documented historical phenomena (such as Renaissance sumptuary laws, early modern theater mechanics, and Tudor politics) and the fantastical elements woven into the campaign's narrative.
Comparative Folklore & Diplomacy: Students will study the structure of traditional European fairy tales and fey mythology, practicing creative negotiation, ethics, and conflict resolution by interacting with complex, rule-bound legendary figures and royal courts.
Collaborative Narrative Design & Critical Thinking: Through interactive roleplay, problem-solving, and cooperative decision-making, students will develop communication skills, learning how individual choices alter a larger, branching narrative while applying practical math and strategy during tactical encounters.
Dates and Location:
Please select your preferred date and time in the drop-down box. Classes will run from the week of January 11th through the week of March 8th. All 9 classes will be held over Zoom.
Requirements: Age 8+, or at the instructor's discretion. No prior knowledge or experience of Dungeons and Dragons is required, as instructions for creating a character will be sent ahead of time. Students will be given access to an online dice roller, so physical dice are not required.
Class Etiquette: I expect and require gentle, respectful language in my classes, and ask that all students come to class prepared to treat each other with kindness. These classes are a great opportunity for your kiddos to practice social/soft skills, with the underlying perspective that we’re all in this together.