*Loyola’s Committee on Catholic Social Thought hosts luncheons each semester on a theological/philosophical topic. Through this lens we often explore literature and this autumn we are doing The Hobbit. The illustration is by Alan Lee and my previous two posts talk about this wonderful artist.
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Committee on Catholic Social Thought at Loyola University Maryland Autumn 2018:
The Hobbit
Hopefully many of you are excited to learn that Loyola’s Committee on Catholic Social Thought is finally offering lunchtime reflections on the hugely popular The Hobbit by the great Catholic author J. R. R. Tolkien. In the past, we’ve had some tremendous sessions on Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited and Dorothy Sayers Gaudy Night to name just two.
The Hobbit should provide plenty of amusement and thought. Bilbo Baggins, who, odd for a hobbit, is bookish, sets off on an adventure. Along the way he meets Dwarves, Elves, Trolls, a dragon, and a most peculiar being, Gollum. Returning home, he has a new mithril shirt and a ring… but that’s a story for another time.
The Committee on Catholic Social Thought will buy books for people but, as in past years, people often bring their own well-worn copies of the books we are reading. Just let me know if you need a copy and we’ll be happy to get one to you.
Presenters blend old and new as we host Tolkien scholar Joshua Hren from Belmont Abbey. Presenters speak for no more than 15 minutes just to get the ball rolling and then it’s open discussion of your thoughts/questions. We’ll split the reading into thirds:
Friday September 21st Sue Abromaitis, professor of English at Loyola and huge fan of Tolkien.
Room 107 College Center (or right behind the Starbucks!) at noon.
Friday October 12th Prof. Joshua Hren, Assistant Director of the Honours College, Belmont Abbey, and author of Middle-earth and the Return of the Common Good: J.R.R. Tolkien and Political Philosophy (Cascade Books, 2018).
Room 107 College Center at noon.
Friday November 2nd Graham McAleer, professor of philosophy at Loyola and Tolkien fan.
Room 107 College Center at noon.
Lunch is served and all are welcome to join in the broad, open, and convivial discussions that are the hallmark of the luncheons sponsored by Loyola’s Committee on Catholic Social Thought. http://www.loyola.edu/department/ccst/events
Should you have questions, please write to me at gmcaleer@loyola.edu.
Dr. Graham McAleer
Department of Philosophy
