THIS IS A TWO-SEMESTER COURSE.

Considered by many to be among the greatest books of the twentieth century, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpieces of epic fiction. Over the course of two semesters, students will examine The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings in depth. They will explore symbols, plot, and character development, focusing on Tolkien’s deeply Christian theme of heroic self-sacrifice. This will be a complete immersion in the beauty and mystery of Middle Earth.

Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Fall Semester: September 9 – December 16, 2026*
Spring Semester: January 13 – May 12, 2027*
*Please note that there will be no class meetings on Nov. 25, 2026, and March 31, 2027.

Student Expectations: There will be weekly reading and writing assignments. Please note that The Lord of the Rings is a more difficult work than The Hobbit and may present a challenge to younger readers. Students should plan on about one to three hours of homework per week.

Student Support: The instructor is available via email, as well as by phone call or text.

Feedback/Assessment: The instructor will provide detailed feedback on all submitted assignments, both in writing and during each class session.

Materials/Supplies: Students will need a copy of The Hobbit and all three volumes of The Lord of the Rings.