Bro. Tom Wendorf, S.M.
HM 227
229-4038 (office)
E-mail: Thomas.Wendorf@notes.udayton.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday, 11-1; Thursday, 2-4; and by appointment.
Required Texts:
C.S. Lewis: An
Experiment in Criticism, Rep. Ed,
The Great Divorce, Harper, 2001
The
Last
The Magician’s Nephew, Harpercollins, 2000
Perelandra, Rep. Ed., Scribner, 1996
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin, 2000
The Lord of the Rings, Houghton Mifflin, 1994
The Silmarillion, 2nd Ed., Mariner, 2001
Course Description:
In this course we
will study the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. We will explore, among other dimensions that
student initiative might bring to light, debates over their literary stature;
the relations of fantasy and realism; the moral, theological and religious
implications of their work; their understanding and use of myth; and the
relations they saw between their Christian faith and art, and art and
life. In addition to reading their
fiction and selected essays, we will enter their historical and personal
conversations in the form of letters and biographical resources.
Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should have demonstrated your abilities to:
· Debate the place of Lewis and Tolkien in the literary canon and, in line with this, discuss broader questions of what constitutes “good literature.”
· Discuss the role of readers and literary critics.
· Discuss definitions of fantasy and realism and explain their relationship theoretically and concretely.
· Discuss the meaning and function of myth in relation to Lewis and Tolkien.
· Analyze and synthesize the moral, theological, and religious concerns reflected in the works of these authors.
· Relate issues raised in the literature to each author’s historical moment, to his or her past, and to concerns of our own moment in history.
· Develop skills in reading and analyzing literature and applying secondary material to assist here.
· Write critical essays on the work of each author, including a substantial researched final paper.
Course Requirements:
1) Eight short analysis papers (maximum 2 pages each) that focus on the texts we study. You’ll present these papers in class as time allows.
2) A researched final paper (around 20 pages). I’ll be looking for a topic to approve near midterm.
3) A final examination
I am available for help during office hours and at other times by appointment—if at any time during the semester you want to talk with me about what we’re studying or about other concerns, feel free to see me. You can also contact me by e-mail.
Course Schedule
(tentative and subject to change according to the needs of the class):
Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism
September 2 Labor Day—NO CLASSES
September 4 An Experiment in Criticism; Tolkien, “On Fairy-Stories”
(copies on reserve)
Sept. 16, 18 Tolkien, The Silmarillion
Sept. 23, 25 The Silmarillion, Lewis, Perelandra
Sept. 30, Oct. 2 Perelandra; Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Oct. 7, 9 The Fellowship of the Ring
Oct. 14, 16 The
Fellowship of the Ring, The
Oct. 18-19 Conference on Christianity and Literature
(attend Friday night session on Lewis and Tolkien)
Oct. 21, 23 The
Oct. 28, 30 The Two Towers, The Return of the King
Nov. 4, 6 The
Return of the King
Nov. 11, 13 Lewis,
The Last
Nov. 18, 20 Lewis, The Great Divorce
Nov. 25 Lewis and Tolkien
Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING BREAK—NO CLASSES
Dec. 2, 4 Lewis and Tolkien
Dec. 4 Research
Paper Due
Week 16
Dec. 9 Last Day of Class—Wrap-up
Thursday, December 12
12-1:50 Final Exam