Hillsdale College Launches New Online Course ‘Totalitarian Novels’
The course examines the nature of totalitarian tyranny — and the means of combatting it — through novels by George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Arthur Koestler, and C.S. Lewis.

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College has launched a new online course, “Totalitarian Novels,” taught by Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president and professor of politics and history. The course, released Jan. 28, examines the nature of totalitarian tyranny — and the means of combatting it — through novels by George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Arthur Koestler, and C.S. Lewis.

“Modern ideology and technology allow tyrannical regimes to seek control over the totality of society,” said Jeremiah Regan, executive director of online learning. “These books reveal how totalitarian regimes seek to remake human nature and destroy what is highest and best — friendship, family, and faith. They call us to be on guard against any trend toward totalitarianism.”

Through four novels — George Orwell’s “1984,” Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” Arthur Koestler’s “Darkness at Noon,” and C.S. Lewis’s “That Hideous Strength” — this course explores the nature of totalitarianism, the ambitions of totalitarian regimes, and the means of combatting their rise.

“Literature is a very powerful tool. Any great book tells us about nature and ourselves,” Dr. Arnn said. “Is there something in us that resists totalitarianism? To understand is part of the solution, and these novels in their different ways all point to the solution.”

The course includes eight video lectures covering aspects of the four novels:

“1984:” Pain
“1984:” History and Language
“Brave New World”: Pleasure
“Brave New World”: Drugs and Genetics
“Darkness at Noon”: Regret
“Darkness at Noon”: Loyalty and Confession
“That Hideous Strength”: Faith
“That Hideous Strength”: Science and Bureaucracy

Each episode includes an overview lecture by Dr. Arnn followed by a conversation between Dr. Arnn and four Hillsdale students about major themes and interesting passages.

To watch the trailer and register for the course, click here.