From Merriam Webster (online courtesy of AOL). CIVICS: A social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens.
I am assuming the class Arwen has mentioned is a high school (American) class. What I remember of taking this course in 12th grade, is primarily a study of the working and function of the American government. By definition, I can see no way in which showing FoTR is justifiable in a civics class.
Elda's suggestion of discussing the rights of who's claim is best to rule Gondor, sounds good, initially. ME as presented by Tolkien is predominantly a world governed by Feudal governments. Anyone here living in Feudal society? Didn't think so. Therefore this topic doesn't seem to apply in a civics course either.
It would work in a course designed for the study of Feudal governments. However there are several problems.
1. It is doubtful that a movie would provide enough detail, to warrant a meaningful class discussion.
A: The issue of who should rule Gondor is primarily an issue dealt with in RoTK, which isn't yet out as a movie.
B: The LoTR is not primarily a tale about the reclaiming of a throne. Which means any real details would have to come from students reading and studying LoTR in depth. Which is time consuming, and better suited at a collegiate level (remember I'm assuming this is for a high school class).
2. History already provides plenty of detailed cases for the study and discussion of Feudal governments.
A: Tolkien provided genealogical tables a-plenty for the ruling heads of Gondor. But it is debatable wether or not he provided enough detail on the workings of the Gondorian government, to justify a discussion about a fictional claim to kingship, in an educational setting.
Sorry Arwen, I don't see much hope for your mother justifying the showing of FoTR in class. Nor was I attempting to make any kind of personal attack on Elda, by ripping her suggestion to shreds.
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