Week

Date

Topic

Reading

Assignment

Biography | Who is C.S. Lewis?

Surprised By Joy (all)
The Problem of Pain (all)
“On the Reading of Old Books” (in God in the Dock)
Topics:
Lewis’s life, education, goals
The Most Reluctant Convert
The Romantic-Rationalist

Reading Reflection

Apologetics | What is it? How did Lewis Do It?

“Christian Apologetics” (in God in the Dock)
“De Futilitate” (in Christian Reflections)
Miracles (chapters 1-6, 13)
Mere Christianity (all)
“Bulverism” (in God in the Dock)
Topics:
What is apologetics?
How did CSL do apologetics?
Front Door & Side Door Apologetics
The Argument from Reason
Contra naturalism
The Moral Argument
Lived Ontological Proof
Joy, senseutch
Problem of Evil
Free will
Stable environment
Poison of Subjectivism
Author Analogy

Reading Reflection

Theology 1

Miracles ch. 7–12 & Appendix
The Discarded Image
Out of the Silent Planet
“The Seeing Eye” (Christian Reflections)
“First and Second Things” & “Evil and God” (God in the Dock)

Reading Reflection

Theology 2

Perelandra
That Hideous Strength
“Myth Became Fact” (God in the Dock)
“Man or Rabbit?”

Reading Reflection

Philosophy 1 – Speculative Philosophy

The Abolition of Man
The Four Loves
“The Poison of Subjectivism”
“Transposition”
“On Science Fiction” and related essays (PDF)

Précis / research paper progress

Philosophy 2 – Practical Philosophy

“Learning in Wartime”
“The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment” (God in the Dock)
“The Necessity of Chivalry”
“The Inner Ring”
“Why I Am Not a Pacifist” (PDF)

Final papers due

Back to Courses

The Philosophy and Theology of C.S. Lewis

Name: The Philosophy and Theology of C.S. Lewis
Price: 400 USD
Availability: InStock

3 Credit Hours · Philosophy

$400

for credit

$125 audit

Course Description

An exploration of the philosophy and theology of C.S. Lewis — engaging his major works (Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, The Abolition of Man, The Discarded Image, and more) as philosopher, Christian apologist, and literary scholar.

Full Course Syllabus

Download the complete syllabus as a PDF document

Course Format

This course is delivered entirely online via live Zoom sessions. Each weekly meeting consists of a two-hour lecture and discussion period. All sessions are recorded and made available to enrolled students. Students are expected to attend live sessions and participate actively in class discussions.

Required Textbooks

The Problem of Pain

C.S. Lewis.

The Discarded Image

C.S. Lewis.

Miracles 2nd Edition

C.S. Lewis.

Mere Christianity

C.S. Lewis.

Out of the Silent Planet

C.S. Lewis.

Perelandra

C.S. Lewis.

That Hideous Strength

C.S. Lewis.

The Abolition of Man

C.S. Lewis.

The Four Loves

C.S. Lewis.

God in the Dock

C.S. Lewis.

Christian Reflections

C.S. Lewis.

Technology Requirements

PDFs provided by instructor

Course Learning Outcomes

Describe the life and thought of C.S. Lewis
Assess the philosophical views of C.S. Lewis
Assess the theological views of C.S. Lewis
Critically evaluate 2 of C.S. Lewis’s philosophical, theological, or apologetical arguments

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop critical thinking skills, including the ability to construct and evaluate arguments
Acquire knowledge of foundational philosophical ideas across diverse traditions
Cultivate the ability to apply philosophical concepts to various disciplines
Enhance the ability to communicate philosophical ideas effectively in writing and orally

Assignments & Grading

Grading Scale

A (95–100%)A- (90–94%)B+ (87–89%)B (84–86%)B- (80–83%)C+ (77–79%)C (74–76%)C- (70–73%)D+ (67–69%)D (64–66%)D- (60–63%)F (0–59%)

Course Schedule

Week	Topic	Reading	Assignment
1	Biography \| Who is C.S. Lewis?	Surprised By Joy (all) The Problem of Pain (all) “On the Reading of Old Books” (in God in the Dock) Topics: Lewis’s life, education, goals The Most Reluctant Convert The Romantic-Rationalist	Reading Reflection
2	Apologetics \| What is it? How did Lewis Do It?	“Christian Apologetics” (in God in the Dock) “De Futilitate” (in Christian Reflections) Miracles (chapters 1-6, 13) Mere Christianity (all) “Bulverism” (in God in the Dock) Topics: What is apologetics? How did CSL do apologetics? Front Door & Side Door Apologetics The Argument from Reason Contra naturalism The Moral Argument Lived Ontological Proof Joy, senseutch Problem of Evil Free will Stable environment Poison of Subjectivism Author Analogy	Reading Reflection
3	Theology 1	Miracles ch. 7–12 & Appendix The Discarded Image Out of the Silent Planet “The Seeing Eye” (Christian Reflections) “First and Second Things” & “Evil and God” (God in the Dock)	Reading Reflection
4	Theology 2	Perelandra That Hideous Strength “Myth Became Fact” (God in the Dock) “Man or Rabbit?”	Reading Reflection
5	Philosophy 1 – Speculative Philosophy	The Abolition of Man The Four Loves “The Poison of Subjectivism” “Transposition” “On Science Fiction” and related essays (PDF)	Précis / research paper progress
6	Philosophy 2 – Practical Philosophy	“Learning in Wartime” “The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment” (God in the Dock) “The Necessity of Chivalry” “The Inner Ring” “Why I Am Not a Pacifist” (PDF)	Final papers due

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled Zoom sessions. Consistent attendance is essential for success in this course. If a student must miss a class, they should notify the instructor in advance via email. Recorded sessions will be available for review, but recordings do not substitute for live attendance and participation. Students who miss more than three sessions without prior arrangement may have their final grade reduced.

Late Work Policy

Assignments submitted on time receive full credit. Late work may be accepted at the instructor's discretion, typically with a grade reduction. Requests for extensions must be made before the original due date and are granted only for documented emergencies or by prior arrangement with the instructor.

Academic Integrity & Honor Code

Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty. All work submitted must be the student's own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade for the assignment or the course. Students are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic dishonesty and for avoiding it in all coursework. When in doubt, consult the instructor.

Disability Accommodations

Profer is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students. Students with documented disabilities who require accommodations should contact the instructor as early as possible in the semester to discuss their needs. Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that all students have full access to course materials, activities, and assessments. Documentation from a qualified professional may be required.

Student Conduct Expectations

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with mutual respect, professionalism, and intellectual curiosity. This includes respectful engagement during class discussions, constructive dialogue with peers and the instructor, and adherence to all Profer platform policies. Disruptive behavior, harassment, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the course.

Register

July 11, 2026 — August 15, 2026

Saturdays, 1:00 – 3:45 PM Central

Online (Zoom)

11 / 100 enrolled

All sessions recorded

Add to Google Calendar

$400

for credit

$125

audit

Instructor

Parker Settecase

Office Hours:

Office: Zoom

View full profile →