Course Schedule
(subject to change as needed):
Week(s) 1-2:
Check-In Task and Introductions on MyHeritage.
Prior to Week 1: Begin Readings. Read as much of The Hobbit and LOTR as possible.
Topics: Introduction to Course. Genre Criticism. Biographical/Historical Approaches to Tolkien.
Weeks 3-7:
If possible, view The Hobbit, Parts I-III.
View The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
Topics: Three "Heroes" in Tolkien (Structuralist/Formalist Approaches). Feminist Approaches. Psychological Approaches.
Complete Paper #1 (Genre). DUE END OF WEEK 7 (10/4).
Weeks 8-9:
Continue Readings.
All Students Begin Forum Posts on MyHeritage.
Weeks 10-14:
Finish LOTR and other readings as needed
"On Fairy Stories" and "Ainulindale," "Valaquenta," "Of Beren and Luthien," "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath," and "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" in The Silmarillion.
Discuss Drafts and/or Research for Paper #2.
Work on Reading Responses, Paper #2, and Teaching Demonstrations.
Week 15:
The BIG PICTURE
Before 11/29: 3-Credit Students Schedule Teaching Demonstrations as Needed.
11/30: All Reading Response/Forum Posts on MyHeritage Assignments Due.
12/1: Paper #2 Due for All 2 or 3-Credit Students.
Weeks 1-2:
Check-In Task and Introductions on MyHeritage.
Prior to Week 1: Begin Readings. Read as much of The Hobbit and LOTR as possible.
First Online Sessions: Answer Questions about Course and Syllabus. Introduction to Course Themes.
View The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
Topics: Genre Criticism. Historical/Biographical Criticism. Three "Heroes" in Tolkien (Structuralist/Formalist Approaches). Feminist Approaches. Psychological Approaches.
Weeks 3-4:
Continue Readings and Topics (see above).
Students Begin Reading Responses (Online Forums) to The Hobbit and LOTR on MyHeritage.
Week 5:
Paper #1 Due for ALL Students by FA1 9/20, FA2 11/15 (only paper for 1-credit students!)
Week 6:
Finish LOTR as needed.
Topics in Weeks 3-6: Continue previous topics as needed. More Genre Criticism (High Fantasy vs. Modern Fantasy). Sub-Creation. Myth Criticism. Eco-Criticism. The Simarillion as "Source Material" for LOTR. Is Evil Dumb?
Finish "On Fairy Stories" and "Ainulindale," "Valaquenta," "Of Beren and Luthien," "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath," and "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" in The Silmarillion. Discuss Drafts and/or Research for Paper #2.
The BIG PICTURE
Week 7:
Work on Reading Responses, Paper #2, and Teaching Demonstrations.
Week 8:
FA1 Before 10/10, FA2 Before 12/5: 3-Credit Students Schedule Teaching Demonstrations as Needed.
FA1 Before 10/11, FA2 Before 12/6: All Reading Response/Forum Posts on MyHeritage Assignments Due.
FA1 Before 10/12, FA2 Before 12/7: Paper #2 Due for All 2 or 3-Credit Students.