Tolkien taught in school - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gorwingel · 08-28-2004, 11:32 PM

Well it is interesting that this thread was the first one that I saw when I logged on to the B-D's from a brand new location... college

Because today I have been thinking a lot about the dear professor, and the literature that I am required to read in school.

Today I went to buy my books ($$$$), and in one of my classes I had to purchase nine different books. Including Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and an anthology that includes British Literature from the Middle Ages to the present (But alas no LOTR).

I am excited, but kind of scared. I am just hoping that I will enjoy the novels, and that maybe as an added bonus it will help me to understand Tolkien and his works a little more

No Tolkien classes at my school (which is to note a Catholic college), but if we had one I of course would be one of the first to sign up. I do wish that they did include LOTR a little more in school. I doubt it would be detramental to it's popularity, just because it is such a popular book with such die hard fans who already desire to know as much about it as they possibly can (It would have to be a elective class in my opinion).

Morsul the Dark · 08-28-2004, 11:42 PM

You will enjoy them I am sure rest assured Beowulf and the Cantebury Tales are excellent works, I myself did plenty of extracredit reports and analyseses on both.

Secondly congradulations for getting into college. I hope to be in college next year.

I do agree with inkling the biggest thing holding back good literature is the seperate paces of reading and comprehension. Its like a drive through window in a fast food place(dont worry this has a point) t's a bit high for cars and yet a little low for SUVs

Thats how the reading pace is in schools too low for the more literate and book oriented folk and a bit high for those who already arent fond of reading.

Child of the 7th Age · 08-29-2004, 12:07 AM

Tolkien seems to be creeping into the university syllabus a bit more of late. Just two examples. I live in Houston and Jane Chance teaches at Rice University. (She has written several books on Tolkien.) She is a specialist in medieval lit and normally teaches LotR every other spring. Enrollment is said to be strong. I assume similar courses exist at other colleges where there are professors who have written about LotR or Tolkien.

This summer, we were searching for a "pre-college" program for a member of our family. This is where a high school student goes to a college campus and spends anywhere from 2-6 weeks in classes taught by university professors. That way, the student gets a better idea what college classes are like and also campus life. Generally, the student takes no more than one or two classes. I noticed several schools with classes focusing on Tolkien. The best one seemed to be at the University of Chicago. The course sounded fascinating. Unfortunately, I don't think I can pass myself off as a pre-college student so I am unlikely to get in!

In both the situations above, the classes are elective: students enroll because they have a particular interest in the subject. I think this is far preferable to making Tolkien "required reading" in required classes. That's where you are apt to turn folk off.

There are ways to incorporate Tolkien in classes like this. Quite often, there may be a paper or presentation where students select books from a particular list. If the book is presented as an option, but not a requirement, I think the results will be far more positive. This happened at my daughter's middle school in 5th grade. She was able to read The Hobbit as an AR (Advanced Reading) book, which she did. She now has the option of any of the three volumes of LotR as well. My son's high school is considering a Tolkien course as part of winterim (a two-week period after Christmas break when the regular curriculum is dropped and all students are given the chance to focus on three elective courses.) So, bit by bit, Tolkien is creeping into the curriculum, although often through the back door and generally not part of basic, required classes.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 08-29-2004, 11:13 AM

Quote:

I logged on to the B-D's from a brand new location... college

Congratulations indeed, Gorwingel! College comes next year for me... after my absurdly simple senior year that begins in about 1 1/2 weeks. Four classes. Four! Well... Phys.Ed. and Advanced Studio Art as well, but really... four classes. Not that I mean to ramble on, but its absurd how easy my schedule is this year (especially in comparison to the last two years...). Physics, Government/Economics, English, and Calculus, which I may in fact be dropping (most certainly NOT with one of my favorite teachers... I learn next to nothing in her classes. Not to imply she's a bad teacher, because everybody else gets what she teaches... but I personally don't learn a thing.) Sorry to ramble... Back on topic:

My suggestion, to anyone interested in getting a Tril. class started at their school, is to talk to the 'higher-ups' there. What I mean is, you'd have to get one of the teachers willing to actually teach the class, which means finding a teacher who loves (or is willing to learn along with you) Tolkien. After finding a teacher, you'd have to go through all sorts of fun stuff (just picture me smirking right there) like talking to the principal, having nice long chats with whoever at your school is in charge of class scheduling; the Board of Education at your school would almost certainly get involved, as well as a number of parents (because, annoyingly enough, that's just how these things work). But if you are interested enough (and think the class would generate enough interest amongst other students), than I highly suggest looking into it. Start out by asking a favorite teacher or someone like that how you would go about starting a new class. Teachers would know far better than me how things would work in their own schools.

Fea

Encaitare · 08-29-2004, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Enca thanks for mentioning 1984 and am sorry you didn't enjoy it (may I ask why not?) but I love being an Orwellian!!! hehehehe.

I just hate having to read at the same pace with a class -- which I think is the main thing alot of us lose interest in alot of these amazing books. -- InklingElf

I know! I usually read the whole book while everyone is discussing it in class and then space out for the rest of the several weeks we spend on it.

I didn't like 1984 because it had a very unhappy ending. I liked it when Winston and Julia were getting away with their happy secret lives, but then the fact that they were caught and broken just ruined it for me. I love stories about a couple of people beating the system -- or a certain ring-forging Dark Lord (and don't we all?

) and when the system turns around and delivers the smackdown on these poor hapless people, I think it's a major bummer. Same with Animal Farm, and the Chocolate War. I did like "Anthem," though, much of the same concept as 1984 only with a happier ending.

Quote:

Today I went to buy my books ($$$$), and in one of my classes I had to purchase nine different books. Including Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and an anthology that includes British Literature from the Middle Ages to the present (But alas no LOTR). -- Gorwingel

Is this book by any chance called "From Beowulf to Modern British Writers" and compiled by John Ball? If so, I have it and it's awesome.

Gorwingel · 08-30-2004, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Is this book by any chance called "From Beowulf to Modern British Writers" and compiled by John Ball? If so, I have it and it's awesome.

No, the book is actually The Longman Anthology: British Literature Volume A The Middle Ages, The Early Modern Period, and The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century

The copy of Beowulf is seperate. I have the translation by Seamus Heaney, which I am guessing is quite new. It was also a NY Times bestseller, but I have never heard of it

(Well I have heard of Beowulf, but not of this translation)

Lalwendë · 08-30-2004, 02:34 PM

It's great to see that universities in the US appear to have taken onboard Tolkien - is this a sign that they are more progressive? I'd be interested to know if any universities in the UK offer the opportunity to study Tolkien as an option. The nearest you could come to it here is by doing a final year dissertation, but then this would only be acceptable if you could find a tutor able or wiling to mentor you through it and mark it at the end. Certainly when I did my degree this would have been a big problem; I had enough trouble finding a tutor who could mark a piece of work I did on Kurt Vonnegut (for my final dissertation I elected to write a volume of poetry).

I think one of the problems in this country would be the stick the university concerned would get from the media. Universities suffer enough simply by offering courses such as history of art or media - the tabloids shout "waste of tax-payers' money". Recently one university offered surfing as an option and this has caused controversy - despite the course being heavily centred on science and business, and surfing being a huge part of the Cornish economy. I can imagine the headlines if Tolkien became a subject in our universities. Sigh.

But, Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney - this is bound to be excellent, he's a fantastic poet.

tar-ancalime · 08-30-2004, 09:15 PM

Yes, Seamus Heaney is a wonderful poet! I'm sure his Beowulf is amazing. If you've got a chance, read some of his other poems as well.

And Fea,

Quote:

one that I can't remember the title of, that dealt with a slightly mental kid being extremely jealous of his best friend, the plot culminating in said best friend dying because of actions of said mental kid.

Could that have been A Separate Peace?

08-28-2004, 11:32 PM	#1
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,419	Well it is interesting that this thread was the first one that I saw when I logged on to the B-D's from a brand new location... college Because today I have been thinking a lot about the dear professor, and the literature that I am required to read in school. Today I went to buy my books ($$$$), and in one of my classes I had to purchase nine different books. Including Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, and an anthology that includes British Literature from the Middle Ages to the present (But alas no LOTR). I am excited, but kind of scared. I am just hoping that I will enjoy the novels, and that maybe as an added bonus it will help me to understand Tolkien and his works a little more No Tolkien classes at my school (which is to note a Catholic college), but if we had one I of course would be one of the first to sign up. I do wish that they did include LOTR a little more in school. I doubt it would be detramental to it's popularity, just because it is such a popular book with such die hard fans who already desire to know as much about it as they possibly can (It would have to be a elective class in my opinion). __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

08-28-2004, 11:42 PM	#2
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	You will enjoy them I am sure rest assured Beowulf and the Cantebury Tales are excellent works, I myself did plenty of extracredit reports and analyseses on both. Secondly congradulations for getting into college. I hope to be in college next year. I do agree with inkling the biggest thing holding back good literature is the seperate paces of reading and comprehension. Its like a drive through window in a fast food place(dont worry this has a point) t's a bit high for cars and yet a little low for SUVs Thats how the reading pace is in schools too low for the more literate and book oriented folk and a bit high for those who already arent fond of reading. __________________ Morsul the Resurrected

08-29-2004, 12:07 AM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Tolkien seems to be creeping into the university syllabus a bit more of late. Just two examples. I live in Houston and Jane Chance teaches at Rice University. (She has written several books on Tolkien.) She is a specialist in medieval lit and normally teaches LotR every other spring. Enrollment is said to be strong. I assume similar courses exist at other colleges where there are professors who have written about LotR or Tolkien. This summer, we were searching for a "pre-college" program for a member of our family. This is where a high school student goes to a college campus and spends anywhere from 2-6 weeks in classes taught by university professors. That way, the student gets a better idea what college classes are like and also campus life. Generally, the student takes no more than one or two classes. I noticed several schools with classes focusing on Tolkien. The best one seemed to be at the University of Chicago. The course sounded fascinating. Unfortunately, I don't think I can pass myself off as a pre-college student so I am unlikely to get in! In both the situations above, the classes are elective: students enroll because they have a particular interest in the subject. I think this is far preferable to making Tolkien "required reading" in required classes. That's where you are apt to turn folk off. There are ways to incorporate Tolkien in classes like this. Quite often, there may be a paper or presentation where students select books from a particular list. If the book is presented as an option, but not a requirement, I think the results will be far more positive. This happened at my daughter's middle school in 5th grade. She was able to read The Hobbit as an AR (Advanced Reading) book, which she did. She now has the option of any of the three volumes of LotR as well. My son's high school is considering a Tolkien course as part of winterim (a two-week period after Christmas break when the regular curriculum is dropped and all students are given the chance to focus on three elective courses.) So, bit by bit, Tolkien is creeping into the curriculum, although often through the back door and generally not part of basic, required classes. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

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08-30-2004, 02:34 PM	#7
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	It's great to see that universities in the US appear to have taken onboard Tolkien - is this a sign that they are more progressive? I'd be interested to know if any universities in the UK offer the opportunity to study Tolkien as an option. The nearest you could come to it here is by doing a final year dissertation, but then this would only be acceptable if you could find a tutor able or wiling to mentor you through it and mark it at the end. Certainly when I did my degree this would have been a big problem; I had enough trouble finding a tutor who could mark a piece of work I did on Kurt Vonnegut (for my final dissertation I elected to write a volume of poetry). I think one of the problems in this country would be the stick the university concerned would get from the media. Universities suffer enough simply by offering courses such as history of art or media - the tabloids shout "waste of tax-payers' money". Recently one university offered surfing as an option and this has caused controversy - despite the course being heavily centred on science and business, and surfing being a huge part of the Cornish economy. I can imagine the headlines if Tolkien became a subject in our universities. Sigh. But, Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney - this is bound to be excellent, he's a fantastic poet.