REGISTER BELOW
Dinner | Discussion
This event is designated for University of Chicago graduate and undergraduate students. Please contact William Hurley with questions at whurley@lumenchristi.org.
The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places,” JRR Tolkien wrote in his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings. Over the next three quarters, we will trace the journey of his heroes through many of those perilous and dark places. What does it mean to die for what you believe in, or to exercise free will in the face of an omnipotent God, and how does one endure a quest through the darkness in order to eventually reach the light?
This weekly reading group will meet over dinner. In the fall, we will read The Fellowship of the Ring. At each session we will read a manageable number of pages. All students (graduate and undergraduate) are welcome to register. Copies of the text will be provided. It is not necessary to register for all three quarters. Come as you are able.
Calendar & Syllabus
Autumn Quarter – The Fellowship of the Ring
- Oct. 12, Week 1: Book 1 – Prologue, Chapters 1 and 2 (pgs. 1-64)
- Oct. 19, Week 2: Book 1 – Chapters 3-7 (pgs. 65-133)
- Oct. 26, Week 3: Book 1 – Chapters 8-11 (pgs. 134-196)
- Nov. 2, Week 4: Book 1 – Chapter 12, Book 2 – Chapters 1-2 (pgs. 197-271)
- Nov. 9, Week 5: Book 2 – Chapters 3-5 (pgs. 272-332)
- Nov. 16, Week 6: Book 2 – Chapters 6-10 (pgs. 333-412)
Winter Quarter – The Two Towers
- Week 1: Book 3 – Chapters 1-3 (pgs. 413-460)
- Week 2: Book 3 – Chapters 4-5 (pgs. 461-505)
- Week 3: Book 3 – Chapters 6-8 (pgs. 506-559)
- Week 4: Book 3 – Chapters 9-end to Book 4 – Chapter 1 (pgs. 560-619)
- Week 5: Book 4 – Chapters 2-5 (pgs. 620-682)
- Week 6: Book 4 – Chapters 6-end (pgs. 683-746)
Spring Quarter – The Return of the King
- Week 1: Book 5 – Chapters 1-3 (pgs. 747-805)
- Week 2: Book 5 – Chapters 4-6 (pgs. 806-849)
- Week 3: Book 5 – Chapters 7-10 (pgs. 850-896)
- Week 4: Book 6 – Chapters 1-3 (pgs. 897-947)
- Week 5: Book 6 – Chapters 4-6 (pgs. 948-988)
- Week 6: Book 6 – Chapters 7-end (pgs. 989-1032)
About Reading Groups
Each quarter, the Lumen Christi Institute hosts a number of student-led reading groups at Gavin House (1220 E 58th St.). The reading groups are usually held over a shared meal and all participants are provided a copy of the text. Any student interested in a shared reading of a great text is welcome to join. No religious affiliation is necessary.