The class will be discussion style and will be driven by learner needs and interests.   

No previous knowledge is required only a desire to learn about J.R.R. Tolkien and The Fellowship of the Ring.  

The class will meet twice per week, for 55 minutes each session for 5 weeks for a total of 10 sessions. 

Learners will interact with the instructor and each other throughout the majority of each session.   This will not be a talking head session.  

While the sessions will be flexible they will be focused on: 

Session 1 - J.R.R. Tolkien Author and Illustrator - Inspiration for The Lord of the Rings, Introduction to the Fellowship of the Rings. Literary Devices Used by Tolkien. 

Session 2 -  Tolkien's Early Life - The Fellowship of the Ring -  Inheriting a Legacy, What does Lore have to do with it?  Duty and Loyalty. 

Session 3 -  Tolkien's Later Life  -   The Fellowship of the Ring -  Leaving home and the familiar.  Going from Danger into Danger, Friendship. 

Session 4 - The Fellowship of the Ring -  Meeting new people and cultures.  The people's of Middle Earth.  Being pursued.  Tolkien's concept of evil. 

Session 5 - The Fellowship of the Ring  - Making sacrifices for a friend, Dangerous Places, Where old meets new. 

Session 6 - The Fellowship of the Ring  - Nearly Escaping Danger, Being unprepared, Learning as you go.  Meeting new creatures, The world is much bigger than it seems. 

Session 7 -  Tolkien as an Illustrator.   The Fellowship of the Ring - Hospitality, The Kindness of Strangers, Even Heroes Need Help, More Evil Creatures. 

Session 8 -  The Fellowship of the Ring - Having to trust someone you just met, All that glitters is Not Gold, Help in Unexpected Places.  

Session 9 - The Fellowship of the Ring - The Powers of the World Striving Against Each other, Having to Choose Between two Perilous Options, Honor, Courage, Fellowship.  

Session 10 -  Summary - The Fellowship of the Ring  - Everything Declines, The World Changes, Trials and Tribulations, The Creatures and Peoples in the Fellowship of the Ring.