THIS IS A TWO-SEMESTER COURSE.

Students in this course will examine allegorical and epic literary approaches to the Christian “Journey of Faith.” The first semester will feature in-depth examinations of fourteen cantos spread throughout Dante’s Divine Comedy, and the second semester will feature an analysis of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

In addition to these two major works, occasional class meetings will also focus on the use of allegory and parable in the Bible, the use of allegory in the medieval mystery play Everyman, and examples of twentieth-century approaches to Christian epic and allegory, such as those of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Fall Semester: September 3 – December 17, 2025*
Spring Semester: January 14 – May 13, 2026*
*Note that there will be no class meeting on Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving break and on Mar. 11 for spring break.

Student Expectations: Students will be expected to read the assigned selections each week. They will also complete occasional written assignments, including questions, outlines, synopses, and essays.

Student Support: The instructor is available via email.

Feedback/Assessment: This course will center around lively and intelligent class discussion. The instructor will provide context and deep analysis of every assigned reading, but especially those by Dante, as his work can be particularly difficult to understand. Feedback will include grading and comments on student assignments, as well as encouragement in the live discussions.

Materials/Supplies: The Instructor will provide PDFs of various selections and translations, but is is recommended that students purchase an annotated version of both Divine Comedy and Pilgrim’s Progress.