Spenser@Random

---

First originated by former ISS president, Joe Moshenska, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and in an effort to further develop and support the Spenser studies community online during lockdown, Spenser@Random has become one of our most beloved initiatives. The idea is simple. Spenser scholars, students and readers from around the world gather together online and select a stanza of The Faerie Queene to read together at random (using a random number generator). We then spend around an hour close-reading the stanza together in randomly-generated breakout groups, reconvening to share reflections on the poem and on the practice of random reading itself. We are a friendly and inclusive group and all are welcome. No prior knowledge of the poem is assumed or needed, just a desire to read and think together.

 

Sessions are held every six weeks or so during the teaching year. Details of how to register for our next @Random are included in our regular newsletters.