Tolkien in Context
This course examines how Tolkien’s subcreated world of Middle-earth engages with issues and concepts relevant to readers, including racism, immigration, the place of women, the ongoing battle of good versus evil, environmental concerns and the rise of technology.
C.S. Lewis and Mythologies of Love and Sex
This course explores some of the great mythologies of love that provide a background to today’s culture, sketched out along the twin paths of C.S. Lewis’ The Four Loves and a chronological development of the ideas of love.
Modern Fantasy
This course explores fantasy literature written within the past 50 years, with an examination of the works of six top modern fantasy authors: Peter Beagle, Ursula Le Guin, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, Garth Nix, and George R. R. Martin.
Introduction to Germanic Philology I
This class offers a survey of the older Germanic languages (especially Gothic, Old Norse, and Old English), and the literatures written in those languages.
Beowulf in Old English
This intensive, seminar-style class will give students an opportunity to practice translating the Old English language and to become intimately familiar with the Beowulf text.
The Dystopian Tradition
This class will consider historical and current “what if?” thought experiments, including classics such as 1984 and bestsellers like The Hunger Games.
Beyond Middle-earth
Join Corey Olsen and Tom Shippey for an in-depth look at the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Inklings and King Arthur
This course explores how J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and other Inklings authors interpreted the Arthurian legends in their work.
The Life and Times of the English Epic
In this course, students will study the evolution of the English Epic over time.
Tolkien’s World of Middle-earth
In this course, students will read Tolkien’s critical essays, translations, and imaginative stories to explore how his world and his myth developed over time.