This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
The Two Towers will take you far deeper into the ancient evils that are re-emerging in the world. Yet even greater ancient forces of redemption and resurrection come into the world of ordinary events.
Total classes: 7
Prerequisite: Ability to read the book and ask questions
Suggested grade level: 9th to 10th. However, this is a timeless story to be enjoyed by all ages.
Suggested credit: ½ semester. For a full semester, follow with The Return of the King.
Description
The Two Towers clarifies the contrast between a culture based on selflessness and regard for the common good with an anti-culture based on pure selfishness and the desire to domineer over others. The anti-culture controls both the two literal towers of Saruman’s Orthanc and Cirith Ungol—both of them forced to serve the even greater tower of Sauron’s Mordor. The civilization of good offers the Mark of Rohan as its immediate heroic defender, Ancient and almost heavenly forces of the Ents and the Elves of Lothlorien join battle to defend the world along with Rohan and the towers of the city of Gondor. Yet the battles between these titanic forces are always being mirrored in the personal willingness of two hobbits to sacrifice everything they possess for the sake of the good.
Outline
Class 1: The Departure of Boromir—The Uruk-Hai
Class 2: Treebeard—The White Rider
Class 3: The King of the Golden Hall—The Road to Isengard
Class 4: Flotsam and Jetsam—The Palantir
Class 5: The Taming of Smeagol—The Black Gate is Closed
Class 6: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit—The Forbidden Pool
Class 7: Journey to the Cross-roads—The Choices of Master Samwise
Materials and Homework
Course materials: The Two Towers by J.R.R.Tolkien. Any unabridged edition will do.
Homework: Expect to read about 50 pages per week and spend about two hours per week outside of class on reading and homework. There will be weekly automated-graded quizzes available for immediate feedback, as well as two exams, one in the middle and one at the end of the course. Please come to class with thoughts and questions about what you have read.
