Narnia for Young Adults

When most people think of C. S. Lewis's masterpiece The Chronicles of Narnia, they think of young children. What I would like to suggest here is that you give the series to your teens to read. Even if they already read them as youngsters.

I've never enjoyed reading aloud more than when I read the Narnia books to my children. (And I read them many times over.)  There is a lot in Narnia that makes them worthwhile reading for teens and adults. Like Scripture, you get something different from the books when you read them at different stages in your life.

C. S. Lewis was a master at weaving deep theological and philosophical concepts into his children's stories. They are complex on one hand and pure delight on the other hand.

I lead a local high school book club. A few years ago, the teens asked to spend a year reading C. S. Lewis. We read Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, Space Trilogy, and many others. In the middle of all those lofty books, we reread The Last Battle from the Narnia series. It was received enthusiastically by the students. All had read it as young children and all had found new appreciation (and love) for it as young adults.

For these reasons, I was absolutely thrilled when Professor Joseph Pearce asked if he could teach an online course called Narnia for Young Adults. I gave him an enthusiastic YES! Below are details for the upcoming live course (Fall 2015) and a link to register. Once the course is completed, it will be made available as a recorded course through Unlimited Access.

-- Maureen Wittmann

Narnia for Young Adults: 

The Theology of The Chronicles of Narnia

Registration is open. Click here: Homeschool Connections Registration (Click on fall semester and literature, then click on Search.)

Class dates: Wednesdays, September 23 to October 28, 2015

Total classes: 6

Starting time: This course will be offered twice (on the same day). Choose one of the following times:

1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific) OR

2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central; 12:30 Mountain; 11:30 Pacific)

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Ability to read and enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia

Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested high school credit: ½ semester Literature

Fee: $90 if you register on or before June 15, 2015. $105 after June 15 for all 6 classes.

Instructor: Joseph Pearce

Course description: C. S. Lewis claimed that he "smuggled theology" into his fiction "under cover of romance". Professor Pearce will help students discover the deep Christian theology that Lewis successfully "smuggles" into his work.

Course outline: 

Week 1: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

Week 2: The Magician's Nephew

Week 3: The Horse & His Boy / Prince Caspian

Week 4: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Week 5: The Silver Chair

Week 6: The Last Battle

Course materials: The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Homework: Students should read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe before the first class. Homework entails daily reading and weekly quizzes.