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January 2023   Standard Module
Discussion-based Low intensity

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Days and Times

Meeting Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM Eastern for eight 1-hour sessions on January 2, 5, 9, 12, 19, 23, 26, 30 (skips the 16th)

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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

Required Texts

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (any edition).
Sessions Overview
# Signum Time
US/Eastern
Notes and Content
1 Mon, Jan 2
6:00 PM
2 Thu, Jan 5
6:00 PM
3 Mon, Jan 9
6:00 PM
4 Thu, Jan 12
6:00 PM
5 Thu, Jan 19
6:00 PM
6 Mon, Jan 23
6:00 PM
7 Thu, Jan 26
6:00 PM
8 Mon, Jan 30
6:00 PM
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