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SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Posted by JEREMY
Source: MTV Movie News via The Leaky Cauldron
MTV has a new article
online, focusing on the classes being taught at Swarthmore College. In particular, one course Battling Against Voldemort has become so popular, they have developed a lottery system to assign who can enter the course.
"They analyze each book, looking at themes and metaphors, reading up on scholarly perspectives, going over Jungian archetypes. For a discussion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, they were guided by a critical essay by Veronica Schanoes, called "Cruel Heroes and Treacherous Texts," to explore the ambiguities in the constructions of good and evil and the unreliable narratives of Harry's world. It made students understand that even Harry himself can be an unreliable narrator."
They also discuss some deeper matters, such as what may have become of Umbridge after she was carried away by the centaurs in Order of the Phoenix:
"Haven't we been led to believe that the difference between Death Eaters and those who are not is the use of the Unforgivable Curses?" Finberg asked the class when the discussion turned to Harry's usage of the torturing Cruciatus curse."He uses it on Bellatrix; he uses it on Carrow," Hannah Edelman observed. "He also uses the [controlling] Imperius curse." "He is just really upset when he uses that curse on Bellatrix," Matlock said. "I don't think that means he's a bad person. It just means he's more human.""Do you think J.K. Rowling is playing with us?" Matt Bowers asked. "Do you think she's telling us, 'Look, you thought Harry was a good guy, but what if this were from the point of view of Draco?' "But Harry would never use [the killing curse] Avada Kedavra," Soares argued. "This is really dorky, but a hero, like Superman would never kill Lex Luther." The class laughed."
To view the video report, click here.
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Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Ooh that sounds so cool!
I would totally try to get into that class, ha ha
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 9:31 PM EST
Student
Points: 275
shanie623 says:
What the hell. So this course falls under... Contemporary belief/culture? An elective class that could fall under what major?
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 9:39 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 491
SoccerChick22 says:
Woahh. That's so cool. I would join in a heartbeat!
:-p
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 9:57 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 865
Rudeboy2025 says:
I would never take this class. Why? Because in my opinion these books were just made to tell an awesome story and entertain millions of people. Like I said though, my opinion, yours might be completely different.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 10:19 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 575
Canis Diris says:
I would join the class just to get back into HP again. I will still watch the movies but the journey ended for me when I finished DH.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 10:32 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 436
Scarlet Snow says:
I am so jealous! To think, I could've signed up for Battling Against Voldemort instead of Spanish 101.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 11:03 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats awesome! I want to take that class. I have a similar class for my colloquium right now, it's focus is the development of Harry's character and the world around him thoughtout the books. I wish I could take another HP class like this one in college.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 12:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 988
Yami-Tenshi says:
I'd totally love to take this class. And i'm an English Major, a very in depth analysis over these books could fall into my courses....hm...i think i have a plan!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 12:48 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3906
Hecate3fold says:
This is not the only place that has waiting lists to get in on HP classes. The college in Appleton WI is also using the books as a premise of study for moral concepts with a prerequisite of having read all seven of the books.
The world of Hogwarts has become an influence of great magnitude upon society. I doubt if JKR had any idea of how much she would change the world when she penned that first book so many years ago.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 1:24 AM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
Wow, that would be so interesting to study, but I also agree with Rudeboy2025, I don't know if all those opinions and analysis would kind of ruin it for me. I refuse to analyse my favourite books like Austen, and haven't done so with HP. Hmm. But it shows you how powerful these texts are.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 3:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2424
bonniewrightrulz says:
Wow,that's really cool of them to start this.I would have no hesitation in joining,i think it'll all be really amazing.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 4:00 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1389
Luna! says:
Aww! That's so awesome!
I wish my school would do something like that in english or universities over here in australia.
But perhaps America is obviously more, obsessed, as it were than brittish or any other country. America certainly is the anglo-saxen - along with england - dominating country so maybe it's easier to find harry potter fans than over here in Australia where we're more laid back about the whole issue.
But still, that's awesome! I would so kill to be in the class! That would be so awesome! It'd be like living in hpana!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:25 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2496
KissingDraco says:
Oh wow how cool is that? I want to go to that college!! Sadly the college I go is not half as fun!!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:42 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
WOw teaching Harry Potter that's interesting:)
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 7:59 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 15
karezdana says:
Maybe there maybe time to use the bad things for good.. hehe
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 9:56 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
This would be a great course to take. Interesting moral and ethical issues and tying it to the real world. Not surprised that it is so popular.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 11:25 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2088
Phil Haney says:
"Haven't we been led to believe that the difference between Death Eaters and those who are not is the use of the Unforgivable Curses?"
No. Death Eaters are those who follow Voldemort. Harry uses unforgivable curses and he's no Death Eater (he uses them ON Death Eaters).
Harry would never use [the killing curse] Avada Kedavra
No. Even at the end, when he's dueling with Voldemort, Harry tries to disarm with Expelliarmus. Voldemort uses Avada Kedavra.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST
Squib
Points: 153
Lizzie Whizzbee says:
WOW!!! I so want to go there, but I would be worried that analyzing the books in that much detail could ruin the enjoyment of HP
:S
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 12:29 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
kecker17 says:
I'm all for Harry Potter, but a college course? Multiple college courses? Seems a bit over the top.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 2:08 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1909
Hermione5 says:
Sounds cool. I would love to participate. Much more interesting than med school :D ... I wanted to die today on a pharmacology class. I would never do this on an HP-theme class :)
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 2:39 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I would kill to get in that class! Now that would be a joy to attend!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 3:49 PM EST
Student
Points: 230
Twilight/HarryPotter-<3 says:
huh, sounds interesting, I would like to know more. I think it's cool that these kids are trying to figure out the meaning behind JK's words. Her books are fantastic and each word has a hidden meaning, which is part of why I enjoy reading them so much.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 4:51 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2535
mar66 says:
I am so jealous. None of my classes are interesting, and this would be such a good elective!! Instead I'm taking darn oceanography :(
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4400
ILoveHP! says:
Oh that is so COOL! I want to have that class too!!!!! Awwwww. I'm so jealous of them right now. :(
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 12:41 AM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4666
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Goodness, I wish I could take such a class. It would be the most entertaining 2 hours of my life; and I'd enjoy it more than any other class. Instead of going to the library for english homework and whatnot, I'd be in there reading and re-reading Harry Potter. I can see it now.
~Drish~
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 1:42 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
I love hp and all, and as much as it seems like an interesting class, i think i would rather use my time studying something which will be beneficial for my career. I dont know...seems a bit strange to me :s
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 8:20 AM EST
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