Anyone craving a better understanding of themes and characters in the C.S. Lewis’ beloved novel “The Chronicles of Narnia”, may want to attend the lecture and discussion today at noon by Moorpark College Professor Janice Daurio and her husband, author Paul Ford.

Daurio, noted philosophy professor at Moorpark College, will lead the 50-minute discussion of philosophical themes in “Narnia,” including morality, God, knowledge, and human persons.

“Any novel or movie you see raises interests concerning philosophical reasons,” said Daurio. “You should seek them out.”

Daurio’s talk in Communications 129 is part of the ongoing Faculty Lecture Series held on the second Wednesday of most months. The next upcoming speaker is Paul Mattson who will be discussing the invasion in Iraq. Video archives of past speakers are also available to students free of charge at the Moorpark College website under Faculty Lecture Series.

In her talk today, Daurio will also discuss her article “Is It Good to be Bad? Immoralism in Narnia”, which she wrote for the book “The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy.”

Ford, the author of “Companion to Narnia: A Complete Guide to the Magical World of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia” will discuss the literary aspects of “Narnia.”

The lecture was sparked by the Narnia Learning Community class at Moorpark College. The six-unit class includes Daurio’s Philosophy M01 class and English M01B taught by English Professor Nils Slattum. The class intertwines “Narnia” themes to philosophical themes, and students write English papers about specific topics in the story.

It is the first semester trying out the Narnia class, which followed the Lord of the Rings learning community course co-taught by Daurio last year. Not one student has dropped the class and it has the highest attendance and homework record, said Daurio.

“It is incredible, it feels like getting to heaven,” said Daurio.

The same learning community class will be offered this spring 2006 semester and is expected to have full enrollment because of the upcoming “Narnia” movies releasing on Dec. 9.

“Narnia and Philosophy” runs from noon to 1 p.m. at Moorpark College TV studio in COM-129 at 12:00 p.m. today.