The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
APOL 103 | 3 credits | 12-week course | Professor Eric Needle
Course Description
A dream-vision of a bus ride from Hell to the outskirts of Heaven. Through unforgettable characters (the Big Ghost, the Grumbler, Sarah Smith, the Tragedian, the Lizard, etc.), Lewis dramatizes the terrifying truth that, in the end, people are not dragged into Hell against their will; they choose it, one small refusal at a time. We read slowly, one chapter per week, and let Lewis’s imagination expose the roots of our own resistance to God.
Required Text
The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis | Amazon
Any edition with the preface and “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” is fine. HarperCollins ISBN 978-0060652951
MERE CHRISTIANITY
Copyright ©1946, C.S.Lewis Pte, Ltd.
Copyright renewed ©1973. All rights reserved.
Printed by HarperCollins Publishers, NY.
Course Objectives
On completion of reading the book, Students will be able to:
- Explain Lewis’s vision of Heaven and Hell as states of soul, not just geography
- Identify the “refractory” attitudes that keep people from joy
- Articulate why “there are only two kinds of people in the end”
- Apply the book’s insights to real-life conversations about salvation and human freedom
Weekly Rhythm
- Read the assigned chapter(s).
- Complete each weekly reading quiz (multiple choice / true-false).
- Write a 300–400 word personal reflection (see weekly prompt below).
- Post one discussion thread (200–300 words) + reply to two classmates.
- Participate in live or asynchronous group discussions.
- Write a final paper (1,200-1,500 words).
Grading
| Weekly Quizzes | 12 × 5 points | 60 points |
| Weekly Reflections | 12 × 10 points | 120 points |
| Discussions | 12 × 5 points | 60 points |
| Final Paper | 1 x 60 points | 60 points |
| Total | 300 points |
A = 270+, B = 240+, C = 210+, etc.
