Posted: April 27, 2000 at 23:21:31: by Thorin
: IMHO, the danger is not from an academic study of the works, but from instructors being unable to choose their own curricula and consequently doing an uninspired job on a work that they do not appreciate. On the other hand, when an instructor can select what he teaches, he is more likely to inspire greater understanding in his students. I was introduced to Tolkien at the age of 11, when "The Hobbit" was a required text selected by one of my teachers. She obviously loved the book, and that enthusiasm carried over to her students. Likewise, I took an excellent course on Tolkien in college.I'm just a lowly high school student, but the reason I was introduced to Tolkien in the first place was because I was required to read the Hobbit at school. I loved it and eventually read most of Tolkiens other greater works and am now a major Tokien fan. Although the overall response was positive I don't know anyone else from that class who became major Tolkien buffs. I remember a few people (all girls!) who hated it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that although requiring students to read Tolkien is just going to end up exposing more people to Tokien. If people are going to like Tolkien I doubt it will be because of the teacher (although that helps!) but because they truly are fascinated by Tolkien amazing ability to tell a story.
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