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Teaching Tolkien's Lord of the Rings - Introduction
Created by James Schiavoni
These materials are from a 400-level English class at Tennessee Wesleyan College entitled "Tolkien and Critical Theory," taught by Dr. James Schiavoni. The syllabus could be adapted to any fantasy or science fiction author on whom you could find an adequate range of literary criticism. Besides the syllabus, four handouts are included. Dr. Schiavoni explains how he uses the handouts in class:
Two of the handouts explain the research paper which is a major assignment in the course. The other two handouts are used on the day the class discusses the "Farewell to Lorien" chapter from The Fellowship of the Ring (the 4th week of class, Sept. 12 on the sample syllabus). The students come to class having read the chapter, and I also show a short clip from the Peter Jackson movie showing Galadriel distributing gifts to the members of the Fellowship. I then pass out the "Questions for Various Methods of Interpretation" handout, go over it with the class, and ask them to pick one of the methods for a sample exercise. If the class can't come to a consensus, that's okay; they can break into small groups or work individually at applying the sample questions to the giving of gifts scene. Once they come up with some tentative answers to the questions, each group or individual can share ideas with the class.
Toward the end of the period, I distribute the "Gifts of Galadriel" handout and go over it with them, emphasizing how different methods of interpretation get different results by asking different questions about the text. By now we are approaching the end of class, and I remind them that their research papers will be applications of one or more of these methods of interpretation, applied to one or more scenes from the novel. If there is any time, questions and answers follow.
Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Science Fiction. © 2006.
