Inkling Hour: C.S. Lewis Course Curriculum (30 Weeks)
Cost: $50
Schedule: Fridays from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Week 1: Introduction to C.S. Lewis
– Overview of Lewis’s life and background
– Discussion: Why study Lewis?
– Homework: Read introductions to Lewis’s major works.
Week 2: Mere Christianity – Preface and Book 1
– Themes: Moral Law, Nature of Humanity
– Discussion: What is the “Moral Argument” for God’s existence?
Week 3: Mere Christianity – Book 2
– Themes: Christian Behavior
– Group Activity: Role-playing scenarios based on Christian ethics.
Week 4: Mere Christianity – Books 3-4
– Themes: The Trinity, Christian Faith
– Discussion: The significance of the Trinity in everyday life.
Week 5: Mere Christianity – Books 5-6
– Themes: Church, Sacraments
– Homework: Compare the Church’s role to the importance of community.
Week 6: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 1-7
– Themes: Spiritual Warfare, Temptation
– Discussion: Analyzing how modern society faces similar temptations.
Week 7: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 8-15
– Themes: Prayer, Faithfulness
– Activity: Write a response letter from an “angelic” perspective.
Week 8: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 16-31
– Themes: The Nature of Evil, Human Beings
– Discussion: How does Lewis illustrate the nature of evil?
Week 9: The Problem of Pain – Introduction and Chapters 1-2
– Themes: Suffering, Joy
– Discussion: Why does God allow pain?
Week 10: The Problem of Pain – Chapters 3-4
– Themes: God’s Love, Theodicy
– Homework: Reflect on personal experiences of suffering.
Week 11: The Problem of Pain – Chapters 5-6
– Themes: The Nature of God
– Discussion: Contrast Lewis’s ideas with modern secular beliefs.
Week 12: A Grief Observed
– Themes: Grief, Loss, Faith
– Discussion: How does Lewis process his own grief?
Week 13: Out of the Silent Planet – Intro and Chapters 1-5
– Themes: Space, Spiritual Journey
– Activity: Compare Lewis’s fictional universe to Christian beliefs.
Week 14: Out of the Silent Planet- Chapters 6-End
– Themes: Redemption, Salvation
– Discussion: What does the book say about creation and fall?
Week 15: Perelandra – Chapters 1-5
– Themes: Good vs. Evil
– Group Activity: Discussion on moral decisions faced by characters.
Week 16: Perelandra – Chapters 6-End
– Themes: Free Will, Temptation
– Discussion: The significance of choice in a sinless world.
Week 17: That Hideous Strength – Intro and Chapters 1-6
– Themes: Science, Ethics
– Homework: Discuss the role of science in modern society.
Week 18: That Hideous Strength – Chapters 7-14
– Themes: Society, Morality
– Group Activity: Role-play characters making ethical decisions.
Week 19: That Hideous Strength – Chapters 15-End
– Themes: Authority, Leadership
– Discussion: How does Lewis portray authority and its dangers?
Week 20: The Great Divorce – Introduction and First Half
– Themes: Heaven and Hell, Choices
– Homework: Reflect on the allegory presented in the story.
Week 21: The Great Divorce – Second Half
– Themes: Redemption, Human Choices
– Discussion: How does Lewis depict the concept of Heaven?
Week 22: A Mind Awake (Essays)
– Themes: Literature, Faith
– Activity: Debate on the intersection of faith and literature.
Week 23: Christian Reflections – Papers 1-5
– Themes: Faith and Reason, Moral Values
– Discussion: Which essay resonates most with personal beliefs?
Week 24: Christian Reflections – Papers 6-10
– Themes: Literature’s Role, Cultural Critique
– Homework: Reflect on Lewis’s critiques of modern culture.
Week 25: The Discarded Image – Introduction and Chapters 1-2
– Themes: Medieval Worldview, Order and Chaos
– Discussion: How does understanding the medieval model enhance our reading of Lewis?
Week 26: The Discarded Image – Chapters 3-5
– Themes: Christian Cosmology, Literature
– Activity: Compare Lewis’s view of history with modern perspectives.
Week 27: Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer – First Half
– Themes: The Nature of Prayer
– Discussion: What does Lewis suggest about the relationship with God?
Week 28: Letters to Malcolm – Second Half
– Themes: Spiritual Growth
– Activity: Write your own letter about prayer experiences.
Week 29: The Abolition of Man – Chapters 1-2
– Themes: Education, Objective Values
– Discussion: What are the implications of “men without chests”?
Week 30: The Abolition of Man – Chapters 3-End
– Themes: Morality, Nature of Humanity
– Homework: Reflect on the implications for modern education.
Materials:
– book list above