Why are the works of J.R.R. Tolkien still so relevant to us in the 21st century? In this course, we will look at some of the central themes of his novels, including Family, Home, Good vs. Evil, and Loss, exploring how Tolkien is still speaking to us almost fifty years after his death.
There are no required texts for this course, however, you may find having a copy of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings very useful (any edition).

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Lecture 1: War and Home
	Discussion 1: Why is Tolkien still relevant?
Week 2	Lecture 2: Family, friendship, and fellowship
	Discussion 2: Hope and Heroes
Week 3	Lecture 3: Good and Evil
	Discussion 3: Fantasy: Recovery, Escape, and Consolation
Week 4	Lecture 4: Gender and Race
	Discussion 4: Nature and the Landscape