Readings/Books Required
Hammond, Wayne G. and Christina Scull. The Lord of the Rings: A Reader’s Companion. 60th
Anniversary Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN 978-0007556908 Tolkien, J. R. R.
The Lord of the Rings. 50th Anniversary Edition. New York: Mariner Books, 2005. ISBN
978-0618640157
Format
This is a reading/discussion/writing seminar, presented in a hybrid synchronous and
asynchronous fashion including in-person and online components, that requires preparation,
engagement, and execution with the course work. Course readings will be supplemented with
short lecture presentations to provide context and assumed knowledge, but the majority of class
December 1, 2021 2 time will be spent discussing the assigned readings. It is thus the
responsibility of the student to keep up on the readings, participate regularly in discussions, and
be responsible for all course materials.
Short analyses: beginning the second week of class you will be asked to submit electronically
by 12 midnight on Monday a short analysis of the reading for the week, noting one significant
point and one interesting question in about 50 words. There are 12 such weeks and you must
submit at least 10 such analyses and questions during the course. Each assignment is worth
2% of your grade for a total of 20%.
Reading summaries: beginning the third week of classes, you will sign-up to write at least two
brief summaries of the week’s reading, providing a brief outline of the significant points and
questions raised by the reading of approximately 500 words. Each such assignment is worth
10% of your grade for a total of 20%.
Midterm essay: write a 1500-word essay that defends a thesis of your choice related to the
readings and discussions of the first half of the class. The essay not only summarizes the main
points in each work, but it also explains the significance of the ideas presented and offers critical
notes about the arguments given. The essay is due at the end of the eighth week of class and is
worth 30% of the course grade. The essay may be revised for an improved grade.
Final essay: building on the midterm essay, and taking into account the professor’s comments,
write a 3000-word essay that continues the thesis and adds additional evidence and argument
from the second half of the course. Again, the essay not only summarizes the main points in
each work, it also explains the significance of the ideas presented and offers critical notes about
the arguments given. The final paper is due at midnight on the last day of finals week and is
worth 30% of the course grade. It is graded on the same scale as the midterm essay.
Schedule
Jan. 18-20 Introduction
Jan. 25-27 Tolkien, Book One, ch. 1-6
Feb. 1-3 Tolkien, Book One, ch. 7-12
Feb. 8-10 Tolkien, Book Two, ch. 1-5
Feb. 15-17 Tolkien, Book Two, ch. 6-10
Feb. 22-24 Tolkien, Book Three, ch. 1-4; University Enrichment Day (no class meeting on the
22nd)
Mar. 1-3 Tolkien, Book Three, ch. 5-11
Mar. 8-10 No class (midterm essay due)
Mar. 15-17 Spring Break
Mar. 22-24 Tolkien, Book Four, ch. 1-5
Mar. 29-31 Tolkien, Book Four, ch. 6-10
Apr. 5-7 Tolkien, Book Five, ch. 1-6
Apr. 12-14 Tolkien, Book Five, ch. 7-10; University Enrichment Day (no class meeting on the
14th)
Apr. 19-21 Tolkien, Book Six, ch. 1-5
Apr. 26-28 Tolkien, Book Six, ch. 6-9
May 13 Final Exam Due at midnight
