ENG 498: Senior Seminar: Metaphysics of Modern Quest in The Hobbit

Literary and historical context : Historical context -- The importance of the work -- Critical reception -- A theory of fairy stories -- A psychology of dragon slayers.
A reading : An adventure of self-discovery -- Into the lone-lands -- Bilbo's adventures in Wilderland -- The trek through Mirkwood -- Dragons within and without -- Languages of naming.

'Hyper-real religions' are innovative religions and spirituality that mix elements of religious tradition with popular culture. Through various case studies, this book studies the on and off-line religious/spiritual consumption of these narratives through a social scientific approach.

Part Two : The Spiritual Milieu Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Literary Mythology.