The works of J.R.R. Tolkien have gained widespread recognition throughout academia for their literary innovation and value. It is helpful to review the comments and requirements associated with the course descriptions. Academic Tolkien Studies are found in a variety of disciplines, including Modern Literature, Medieval Literature, Classical Studies, Religious Studies, and more.
Classes will be added to the list as we find them. If you know of a course that should be listed here, please Contact Michael Martinez.
Some institutions offer Tolkien-related courses through their Special Studies or upper level seminar classes. If there is specific information about a course, and only if it seems to be offered periodically, we'll list it here but otherwise one-time special classes will probably not be included.
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Classes will be added to the list as we find them. If you know of a course that should be listed here, please Contact Michael Martinez.
Some institutions offer Tolkien-related courses through their Special Studies or upper level seminar classes. If there is specific information about a course, and only if it seems to be offered periodically, we'll list it here but otherwise one-time special classes will probably not be included.
Course Web Sites
- Rice University - English 318 with Dr. Jane Chance.
- Purdue University - Classical Studies 337: The Ancient Epic with Dr. John T. Kirby
- Manhattanville College - English 2004: Fantasy Worlds with Dr. Marion D. Perret
- Villanova University - J.R.R. Tolkien with Dr. Thomas W. Smith
- Bucknell University - English 101: Tolkien and Fantasy with Alfred K. Siewers, Assistant Professor of Medieval Literature
- Florida Southern College - English 397: The Literatures of J.R.R. Tolkien with Dr. Alex Bruce
- Marshall University - Honors 295: Tolkien and Film with Drs. Timothy Burbery and Bob Edmunds
- Southern Methodist University - Tolkien: Middle Earth (sic), Middle Ages: A Dallas Medieval Consortium Course with Professors Dennis Kratz, Stephen Maddox, and Bonnie Wheeler
Syllabus is in .PDF format - The University of Chicago - Tolkien: Medieval and Modern with Professors Rachel Fulton and Lucy Pick
- California State University, Northridge - English 493: Senior Honors Tutorial on J.R.R. Tolkien with Dr. Scott Kleinman
- California State University, Northridge - English 495: Senior Seminar on The Lord of the Rings with Dr. Scott Kleinman
- St. Louis University - English 316.01: J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings and Its Literary Context with John Walter, Ph.D. candidate
- Washington University in St. Louis - Middle-earth and Bharata Varsha with Dr. Jerome Bauer
- California State University, Chico - Religious Studies 265: Religious Dimensions of Literature, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien with Dr. Jed Wyrick
The syllabus is a .PDF file. - University of Maryland - English Department Courses: 428A/0101 Seminar in Language and Literature: Tolkien: Author of the Twentieth Century with Dr. Verlyn Flieger
- University of South Carolina - ENGL 283-501 Themes in British Writing
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Classics 30 and Classics 30A: The Heroic Journey with Dr. Kenneth J. Reckford
- University of New Mexico - Tolkien Studies for Advanced Readers with Dr. Leslie Donovan
- University of Washington - English 349: Fantasy with Dr. Malcolm Griffith
- Anderson College - Honors Colloquium X02: Theology and Literature with Dr. Edgar V. McKnight
- University of Delaware - Honors English 110: Speculative Fiction and the Medieval with Dr. Brian Gastle
- University of Dayton - English 490-P3: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien Seminar with Brother Tom Wendorf, S.M., Ph.D.
- University of Baltimore - English 358: Tolkien: Master of Fantasy
- University of Texas, Austin - Philosophy 361K: Tolkien and Mythopeia with Dr. Robert Koons
- University of Northern Colorado - English 497: Modern Medieval Fantasy with Tom Bredehoft
- Weber State University - English 3270: Modern American Fantasy and Its Origins with Dr. M. Diane F. Krantz
Schedules mentioning courses
- Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (Office of Continuing Education) - Pastoral Theology and Evangelism 640: Issues in Contemporary Culture: The Works of J.R.R. Tolkien
Syllabus is available as a .PDF file - Missouri State University - English 533: Studies in Children's Literature (Tolkien & Rowling)
Syllabus is available as a .PDF file
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