17352
Seminar
WiSe 12/13: S-Lit. Stud. II: Periods-Genres-Concepts: J.R.R. Tolkien
Andrew James Johnston
Comments
J. R. R. Tolkien is one of the most astonishing literary phenomena of the twentieth century. His odd and idiosyncratic works jar with the modernist temper of his age. They seem to be devoid of anything that matters to contemporary human beings, e.g. psychology and sexuality. Drawing on a vast range of medieval sources, the Oxford professor of medieval English language and literature created a fictional world all of his own, seemingly completely out of touch with the reality that surrounded him. And not surprisingly, the protectors of high literary culture tend to dismiss Tolkien for his nostalgic escapism and sometimes even accuse his books of downright fascist tendencies. Nevertheless, his principal work, The Lord of the Rings, invariably comes out on top whenever the British are asked to name their favourite book.
This course seeks to take a closer look at these issues and subject Tolkien's fiction to critical scrutiny. These are only some of the questions we will ask: Where does Tolkien take his ideas from? Is he really that simple? Are there contemporary issues he responds to? Is there a theory behind his texts? What are the political notions that they negotiate? Does sexuality matter in his work?
Students are expected to do a lot of reading for this class. Amongst other things we will be reading The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion (in that order). Other material will be put at the students' disposal when the semester starts.
This course will be taught in English and requires a knowledge of the language commensurate with C1 or, preferably, C2. close
This course seeks to take a closer look at these issues and subject Tolkien's fiction to critical scrutiny. These are only some of the questions we will ask: Where does Tolkien take his ideas from? Is he really that simple? Are there contemporary issues he responds to? Is there a theory behind his texts? What are the political notions that they negotiate? Does sexuality matter in his work?
Students are expected to do a lot of reading for this class. Amongst other things we will be reading The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion (in that order). Other material will be put at the students' disposal when the semester starts.
This course will be taught in English and requires a knowledge of the language commensurate with C1 or, preferably, C2. close
16 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Wed, 2012-10-17 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-10-24 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-10-31 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-11-07 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-11-14 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-11-21 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-11-28 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-12-05 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-12-12 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2012-12-19 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-01-09 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-01-16 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-01-23 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-01-30 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-02-06 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2013-02-13 16:00 - 18:00