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Philosophy & Tolkien UGS 302 Unique Number 62600 TuTh 9:30-11 am, MAI 220E Spring 2017 Philosophy & Tolkien We will look for metaphysical and ethical themes and questions that arise from reading the mythopoetic literature of J. R. R. Tolkien. We will also read non-fiction written by the “Inklings” (Tolkien and his literary friends, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Dorothy L. Sayers and Austin Farrer), both philosophical and literary in character, in order better to shed light on the philosophical underpinnings of the group. Some recurring themes: good and evil, words and metaphors, sub-creation, freedom and destiny, nature and technology, courage, hope and death. Instructor/Office Hours Professor Rob Koons [email protected], 471-5530 WAG 431. Office hours: Mondays, 11 am-Noon; Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 pm Texts J. R. R. Tokien, The Hobbit (Ballantine 1986), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Houghton Mifflin 2012, one volume; The Silmarillion (Houghton Mifflin 2012); The Tolkien Reader (Del Ray, 1986). Bradley Birzer, Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth (ISI Books, 2014). Peter J. Kreeft, The Philosophy of Tolkien (Ignatius Press, 2005). Supplemental Texts: on Canvas (required). Optional: Verlyn Flieger, Splintered Light (rev. ed., Kent State Univ., 2002). Owen Barfield, Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning (Barfield Press, 2012). Dorothy L. Sayers, The Mind of the Maker (Harper & Row, 1941). Evaluation • Ten short (250 word) Questions, Quotations and Talking Points papers. 30%. • One 3-5 page research paper (approximately 1000 words): 25%. Topic, bibliography due March 21st. Rough draft due April 18th. Final draft due May 8th. • Two exams: 10% each. March 9th, and May 4th. • Two oral presentations, 3-5 minutes in length: 10% • Class participation: 15%. This includes attendance at a seminar in the Harry Ransom Center and at one of the University Lectures, as well as feedback on other students’ papers and oral presentations. Class Policies Questions, Quotations and Talking Points (QQTP) Papers QQTP papers for each “stop” on the journey (see Syllabus) are on the first date of the period. Each paper shall consist in of three parts: (1) a question you have based on the readings, (2) a quotation from the readings you find compelling or controversial, and (3) a short outline of main ideas you will use as “talking points” in class discussion.1 These talking points should include responses to some of the discussion questions that I have posted for each “stop”/ 1 Connor-Greene, P. (2005, June). Fostering meaningful classroom discussion: Student-generated questions, quotations, and talking points. Teaching of Psychology, 32(3), 173-175. 1 UGS 302 Spring 2017 Paper Submission/Lateness Papers may be submitted electronically to me, before class. (Also bring a hard copy to class.) A full letter grade will be deducted for each day (or part thereof) beyond the due date. Substitute Papers In place of two of the required ten QQTP papers, you may choose to submit a one-page (250 word) paper on either or both of the following: (1) Your reactions to our visit to the Harry Ransom Center on Feb. 21st. (2) Your questions and thoughts about one of the University Lectures (in the official UGS Spring series). The substitute papers are due within a week of the relevant events. Oral Presentations During the first week of class, you will have the opportunity to select two topics and corresponding dates for a 3-5 minute oral presentation. The presentation should include a response to one or more of the discussion questions that I have posted for that topic on Canvas. It should be clearly organized, and it should present and defend at least one controversial idea. The first presentation may be read; for the second, you should rely only on an outline on index cards. Class Attendance and Participation You are expected to attend every class, prepared for discussion. Bring with you a hard copy of your QQTP paper and copies of all the relevant texts for the “stop”, suitably marked up and tabbed for citation during the discussion. You should be prepared to offer and defend answers to all of the discussion questions posted on Blackboard. You will be permitted two excused absences. If you are absent for more than six classes, you will receive no credit for the attendance & participation component (15% of the course grade). Writing Flag This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. Grading Policy In this course, I will make use of plus and minus grades (A, A-, B+, etc.). Religious Holidays A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. Accommodations The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY. Academic Integrity Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course or dismissal from the University. Policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information please visit the Student Judicial Services Web site: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs. For writing assignments: if you use words or ideas that are not your own, you must cite sources. To do otherwise is to be guilty of plagiarism. We will clarify this in class – feel free to ask us about how to handle specific cases. 2 UGS 302 Spring 2017 Syllabus All of the readings from LOTR, the Hobbit and the Silmarillion are required. The secondary readings labeled ‘essential’ are also required. Please complete your first reading of the essential texts and your QQTP papers by the first day of each “stop” on our journey. 1. The Shire (Jan. 17, 19) LOTR (FOTR) I, 1-5. Tolkien, The Hobbit, chapter 1. Fairy Stories Essential: Lewis, “On Stories,” “Sometimes Fairy Stories Say Best What’s to Be Said,” on Canvas. Tolkien, “On Fairy-Stories,” The Tolkien Reader. Optional: Flieger, Splintered Light, introduction, pp. 1-32, 67-72. Kreeft, Philosophy of Tolkien, pp. 9-29 (introduction) Birzer, Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth, Chapter 1, pp.1-22, 2. To The Lonely Mountain and Back (Jan. 24) The Hobbit, Chapters 2-17. 3. The Old Forest (Jan. 26, 31, Feb. 2) LOTR (FOTR), I, 6-7. LOTR (ROTK), Appendix B (Third Age), pp. 455-461. The Silmarillion, pp. 15-19, 25-30 (first half of Ainulindalë, first four sections of Valaquenta) Sub-Creation Essential: Birzer, Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth, Chapter 2, pp. 23-44. John Cox, “Tolkien’s Platonic Fantasy”, Canvas Supplement I Optional: Sayers, The Mind of the Maker, pp. 33-46, 143-5. Flieger, Splintered Light, pp. 45-65, 81-86 4. Rivendell (Feb. 7, 9, 14) LOTR (FOTR) I, 8-12; II, 1-2. LOTR (ROTK), Appendix F, II, pp. 513-520. The Silmarillion, pp. 19-22, 31-32, 35-41, 227-255 (second half of Ainulindalë, last section of Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion chapters I, XXII-XXIV) The Origin of Evil Essential: Lewis, Perelandra, pp. 110-121, Canvas Supplement Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book IV, pp. 94-120, Canvas Supplement II Birzer, Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth, Chapter 5, pp. 89-107. Optional: St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I-II: q6 (a1), q13 (a6), q75 (a 1-4) [The voluntary, Choice, The causes of sin] http://www.newadvent.org/summa/, or http://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/summa.html 3 Words Essential: Kreeft, Philosophy of Tolkien, pp. 153-162 (chapter 9) Barfield, Poetic Diction, pp. 18-25, 30-39, 43-46, 70-76. Optional: Tolkien, “A Secret Vice,” Canvas Supplement III Flieger, Splintered Light, pp. 33-44, 73-79 Feb. 21: Class session at the Harry Ransom Center 5. Moria (Feb. 16, 23) LOTR (FOTR) II, 3-5. LOTR (ROTK), Appendix A, III, pp. 438-451. The Silmarillion, pp. 43-53, 91-97, 285-289 (Quenta Silmarillion chapters II-III and X, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age) Metaphor Essential: Sayers, Mind of the Maker, pp. 21-30. Optional: Swinburne, Revelation, pp. 18-27, 39-61, Canvas Supplement I Barfield, Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning, pp. 77-92, 140-144. 6. Lothlorien (Feb. 28, March 2, 7) LOTR (FOTR), II, 6-8. The Silmarillion, pp. 55-90 (Quenta Silmarillion chapters IV-IX) The Origin of Evil Essential: Lewis, The Problem of Pain, pp. 26-36, 53-4, 69-81, 84-8, 127-8, Canvas Supplement II Sayers, The Mind of the Maker, pp. 95-107. Kreeft, Philosophy of Tolkien, pp. 108-112. Optional: Flieger, Splintered Light, pp. 97-126 Aquinas, Summa Theologica), I-II, q76 (a 1-2), q80 (a1), q85 (a 1-6) [Ignorance, The Devil, Corruption of Nature] Freedom and Foreknowledge Essential: Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy, Book V, pp. 150-169, Canvas Supplement II Optional: Nelson Pike, “Divine Omniscience and Voluntary Action,” The Philosophical Review 74 (1961):27-46. Linda Zagzebski, “Recent Work on Freedom and Divine Foreknowledge,” Canvas Supplement V St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, q14 (a 13), q22 (a 2-4), q23 (a 1, 5), q82 (a2), q83 (a1) [God’s Knoweldge, Providence, Predestination, The Will, Free-Will] http://www.newadvent.org/summa/, or http://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/summa.html Midterm Exam: March 9 4 7.
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