The Life and Literature of C. S. Lewis
Course Description:
Many people know C. S. Lewis only as the creator of Aslan and Narnia. But he was in fact a “Jack” of many literary trades! We begin this course by getting to know C. S. Lewis as a person–where and how he grew up, the beliefs, friends and events that shaped his life, etc. We will then approach his works by genre, examining the main themes and ideas, bringing in contemporary C. S. Lewis scholarship to promote deeper understanding of this well-known and well-loved author. This course is designed to benefit, equip, and inspire both newcomers to C. S. Lewis as well as long-devoted readers.
This course consists of the following six lectures:
- Introduction and Biography
Surprised by Joy
- C. S. Lewis as Apologist, Part I
The Problem of Pain
Mere Christianity
- C. S. Lewis as Apologist, Part II
Mere Christianity
Miracles
- C. S. Lewis on Prayer and the Psalms
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer
Reflections on the Psalms
- C. S. Lewis on Myth and Fantasy, Part I
Out of the Silent Planet
- C. S. Lewis on Myth and Fantasy, Part I
Perelandra
Till We Have Faces
I taught this course during the Spring semester of 2010 with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. If you were registered in this course you can access the course materials (handouts and lecture notes) by clicking on the link below. Please note: the following page is password protected.
