The Bright Realm Beckons!
Take a journey into the extraordinary as we explore the uncharted regions of Fairyland. In these six sessions we will approach Fairyland both with the eye of the intellect and with the longings of our hearts as we seek to penetrate its mysteries.
Chesterton, Tolkien, and George Macdonald will help us think through why study Fairyland, a theological account of Fairyland, and thorny questions about the wisdom of engaging with its darker side. William Butler Yeats, Catherynne M. Valente, and Diane Duane will delight us with tales of the fae realm that will also give us an opportunity to discuss its dynamics, ethics, and nature.
This course is being offered in conjunction with ClassicalU. In addition to your registration in this course, you will also receive six weeks of complimentary access to ClassicalU.
May 28, June 11, 25, July 9, 23, August 6, 2025
Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm CT
This class is for ages 18+
$550 / student
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Junius Johnson's "Here Be Dragons" course is a wealth of beauty, wonder, and wisdom. It's not so much the wealth of a dragon's hoard, which (as we learned) is embedded with deadly greed and selfishness, but the wealth of the feast of Aslan's table or Galadriel's gift of seed and soil, a fruitful and life-giving abundance. Our discussions involved reflections on the meaning of "twilight" or forgotten spaces; the mystery of communion; the spiritual aspects of smell; the relationship between common sense and courage; the truths embedded in ancient songs; and other fascinating topics. This summer's study deepened my joy and curiosity as a reader and believer.
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In working with and thinking about words as a full-time vocation, I found myself slightly stuck in a here and nowness that lacked imagination. Like the blind man that Jesus touched, who then saw “men as trees” — I was groping for clarity. Dr. Johnson’s course was the condition upon which I received a second touch from Christ that gave me fuller sight.
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Participating in a course led by Dr. Junius Johnson is a wonderful journey of exploration, seeking hidden gems in unexpected places. It is an opportunity to learn to look deeper than the surface, both in reading and in the mundane of life. A delightful feast for the mind that lasts far beyond the actual banquet.
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Dr. Johnson’s knowledge of theology, philosophy, and literature, combined with his engaging style of communication, make him an excellent intellectual guide. If you see fantasy as somewhat pointless or as something reserved for children, Dr. Johnson will correct your thinking. His class on dragons [...] deepened my appreciation for fantasy as a vehicle of truth and better equipped me with the perspective and hope that enable a person to face and bear hardship well.