Wofford College interim course

Through our links with various universities and colleges in the US recently we welcomed a group of 21 students and 2 professors from Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

This particular group are studying C S Lewis and attended classes given by Paul Sinclair, Assistant Director of the Liberal Arts Programme at St. Clare's and tutor at the University of Oxford as well as lectures given by other Lewis specialists.

This is what some of the students said about their trip:

I was really impressed with the overall trip and the way in which were able to focus on C.S. Lewis academically and also had a very enjoyable experience. We had a really great group and in my opinion we all got along well. This was my first time traveling to Europe and I would have to say I am glad I went. It was only a taste of what Oxford has to offer and I look forward to traveling back in the future - posted by Chris Dalton

Our wonderful tour guide Paul, graduate of St. John's College, Oxford, had arranged for a special viewing of documents in St. John's library. Are you ready for this?? He had arranged for us to view original letters written by JANE AUSTEN. We were beyond excited, and we took a trip “just around the corner” from St. Clare's (Note: to the British, this means at least 5 blocks) through the University Park and entered through another super duper secret entrance to St. John's College - posted by Alyse Line

I found Dr. Tonning's lecture very interesting because instead of focusing solely on Lewis, she focused more on his academic and intellectual influences. I think she gave us a better idea of why he wrote in a certain manner and why he approached difficult issues in a certain fashion. Instead of trying to analyze and break down his work, she presented our class with possible reasons why he wrote different books. In the bigger picture, I thought it was crazy that we were able to hear lectures from two different Oxford professors! How many people who don't attend Oxford are actually given that opportunity? At the beginning of interim, C.S. Lewis was a complete enigma to me. I couldn't understand how all his works fit together, and I didn't know why his range of writing was so broad and seemingly unconnected. I certainly don't think I have all the answers now, but I have a much better understanding of the way Lewis's mind worked. The books, lectures, and my peers' insight have all allowed me to see his work in a completely new light. I learned that Lewis wrote to evoke the senses and to appeal to the masses. Of course, I don't mean that in the Hollywood sense. I mean that he wrote in such a way that most anyone could read his works and understand his thoughts and perspectives. While I very much enjoyed learning about C.S. Lewis, I also greatly appreciated our free days and free afternoons. I loved going into London and exploring the city. I also enjoyed our excursions to both Canterbury and Bath - posted by Katie Brown

On Tuesday, our class was lead by our dear and faithful guide, Paul, to The Kilns, Lewis' home, and Holy Trinity Church, where he and his brother were faithful members. Reading Lewis' essays and letters while we were still in Spartanburg helped me to get a grasp on his beliefs and even his personality. Yet seeing his home and where he worshipped was very special to me - posted by Terrier

Read more of the group's comments on their blogspot.