Join us as we read three novels from two of the most famous fantasy authors of all time, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Through The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit, students will explore Narnia and Middle Earth through Socratic Seminar discussions, debates, analysis activities, writing prompts, symbolism activities, and more! We will explore many different literary devices that are in both novels but also the individual devices that make each author's writing unique! We will be reading two of Lewis' novels, The Magician's Nephew (Book #1) and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Book #2), because they are significantly shorter than the one novel we will be reading by Tolkien, The Hobbit.

Through our Narnia portion of the course, students will explore the first two of seven novels that make up the Chronicles. We will discuss the child-like whimsy and how it compares to the complexity of Tolkien's Middle Earth. Symbolism, allusion, and allegory will be the main focus of these two novels as we explore how Lewis used child fantasy stories to write a complex allegory (a story within a story).  While reading The Hobbit, which takes place in the years leading up to Frodo's journey across Middle Earth to destroy the One Ring to Control Them All, students will have the opportunity to participate in a Socratic Seminar. During this time, we will discuss the novel and its literary devices such as character development, symbolism, conflict, plot development, theme, and more! We will be looking through the different chapters to gain a deeper understanding of the novel but to also appreciate the cultural influence the novel has had on the world.

The following is a schedule of potential activities that we can follow and discuss in class:
Week One: Introduction to the Course
     - Welcome and Introductions
     - The Friendship of Lewis and Tolkien
     - Introduction to the Fantasy Genre
Week Two: The Chronicles of Narnia
     - Introduction to Narnia and the Important Characters
     - Introduction to Allusion and Allegory
          - Defining Allusion and Allegory
          - Examples of Allusion and Allegory
               - (Inside and Outside of the Novel)
     - Writing Prompt: Explaining Allegory in Own Words
Week Three: The Chronicles of Narnia
     - Development of the Plot and Characters
     - Small Changes with Big Consequences
     - Symbolism of Animals within the Novel
     - Fantasy Elements and their Connection to Audience
     - Writing Prompt: Choices
Week Four: The Chronicles of Narnia
     - Message and Purpose of Fantasy to Audience Lessons
     - Symbolism of Animals within the Novel Continued
     - Historical Connections to the Novel
     - Writing Prompt: Symbolism within the Novel
Week Five: The Chronicles of Narnia
     - Message and Purpose of Fantasy to Audience Lessons
     - Symbolism of Animals within the Novel Continued
     - Historical Connections to the Novel
     - Writing Prompt: Connecting Symbolism, Allegory, and More!
Week Six: Transition Week
     - Transition from Narnia to Middle Earth
     - Introduction to The Hobbit and J.R.R. Tolkien
     - Characters and Peoples of Middle Earth
     - Tour through New Zealand/Middle Earth
     - The Friendship of Lewis and Tolkien
Week Seven: The Hobbit
     - Characters and Peoples of Middle Earth
     - Character Analysis
     - Plot Analysis and Set-Up
     - Songs and Poetry of Middle Earth
     - Writing Prompt: Character Analysis Activity
Week Eight: The Hobbit
     - Conflict within The Hobbit
     - Riddles
     - Plot Development (Events of The Lord of the Rings)
     - Writing Prompt: Plot Diagram (Continues Multiple Weeks)
Week Nine: The Hobbit
     - Genre of the Novel (Debate)
     - Peoples of Middle Earth and Conflict
     - Character Development
     - Writing Prompt: Character Development
Week Ten: The Hobbit
     - Conflict and Climatic Events
     - Character Development
     - Characteristics of the Dragons of Middle Earth
     - Writing Prompt: The Symbols of Good and Evil
Week Eleven: The Hobbit
     - Who is the Real Hero?
     - Character Development
     - The Adventure Continues
     - Symbolism and Themes
     - The Return to Normalcy
     - Writing Prompt: Building on Previous Prompts
Week Twelve: Connections Between the Novel
     - The Friendship of Lewis and Tolkien Continued
     - Comparing the Author's Styles
     - Comparing and Contrasting the Works
     - Writing Prompt: Comparison Mini-Essay