OBU Offers C.S. Lewis Study Tour to the UK

January 11, 2011

While it is impossible to actually visit Narnia or speak firsthand with the legendary author who brought Christian apologetics to life through his writing and speaking, OBU invites students, alumni and friends of the university to join in an onsite study tour of his life through "C.S. Lewis: The Early Years," a 10-day study tour to Belfast and Oxford, United Kingdom, Aug. 1-11, 2011.

Participants will enjoy 10 days in Northern Ireland and Southern England touring sites associated with C.S. Lewis and his life around Belfast. The sites include Campbell College, where Lewis studied for a term; the north coast of Ireland; Dunluce Castle; and Magdalene College, Oxford.

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century and an influential Christian writer. His major contributions in literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. He wrote more than 30 books, including the still-popular series "The Chronicles of Narnia," "Mere Christianity" and "The Screwtape Letters."

Lewis and his close personal friend J.R.R. Tolkien served on the English faculty at Oxford University. They were core members of the informal Oxford literary group, the "Inklings," which met twice weekly. Lewis was also well-known for his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity.

The cost of the trip will be about $3,300 per person, which includes round-trip airfare, lodging, bus and ferry fares, entrance fees and several meals. The trip is not for course credit, and university enrollment is not required to participate. Interested participants must sign up for the trip by Feb. 10.

A July-term university course will be offered which is related to the trip. The course will consist of reading selected works by Lewis and will be available online and on-campus. It will be taught by Dr. Glenn Sanders, professor of history and chair of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

For more information or to express interest in the trip, contact Sanders at (405) 878-2215 or Dale Griffin, dean of spiritual life, at (405) 878-2377.

To learn more about C.S. Lewis, click here.