Afternoon Seminar

“The Narnia Project”

In The Abolition of Man, Lewis writes of the importance of developing character and the right ‘sentiments’ and points out that, “We learn the rule of Decent Behaviour from from parents and teachers, and friends and books.’ In this active, participatory, seminar you will see how The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader’ can help readers develop the virtues of love, wisdom, justice, fortitude, self-control and integrity.

‘This project was made possible through the support or a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.’

Mark Pike is Professor of Education and Head of the School of Education at the University of Leeds. Due to a research grant from the John Templeton Foundation, he is also director (Principal Investigator) of the Narnian Virtues Character Education research project. 

He writes and speaks widely on literary, moral and religious issues in education and is the author of Mere Education: C S Lewis as Teacher for our Time (The Lutterworth Press, Cambridge, 2013), Ethical English – Teaching and Learning English as Spiritual, Moral and Religious Education (Bloomsbury, 2014). His articles have been published in journals such as the Oxford Review of Education, Journal of Curriculum Studies, Journal of Character Education and Journal of Beliefs and Values – studies in religion and education. He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Moral Education.

Pike’s specialized research areas include: character education, Christian education, C.S. Lewis as an educator, reading and response to literature, and values and virtues in schooling and society.