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MAY 25, 2007 at 2:39 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Students at Lawrence University
in Appleton, Wisconsin, will be able to enroll in a course titled "Thinking about Harry Potter" during their fall term next year.
The course's instructor, Edmund M. Kern, is the author of The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us About Moral Choices
"Today's college students are like no others in history," said Kern. "They had the chance to grow up right along with Harry Potter. I'd be foolish to pass up the teaching opportunities that those circumstances offer me."
Following closely upon the publication of the finale of JK Rowling's series, the course will be interdisciplinary in nature and focus upon Harry not only as a literary phenomenon but as the biggest pop-cultural event of the era. It will explore Rowling's stories in terms of their relation to history, legend, and myth, take up debates about their contested aesthetic merit and ethical values, and take stock of their broader social and political implications.
Enrollment in the course will be by consent of the instructor only.
"I had to find a way to keep things manageable and in line with the small class sizes typical of Lawrence courses," said Kern. For this reason, only students who have already mastered all seven books of the Harry Potter series will participate.
Kern has never demanded over four thousand pages of text as a prerequisite for a course before, and he can't imagine other circumstances that would allow him to do so again. "I'm not going to assign Rowling's books. I'm simply going to assume that my students have a copious knowledge of them," he said.
Interested students will have to write brief explanations of why they should be in the course. Kern hopes this requirement will allow students to "select themselves," but he is afraid that he might have to turn some students away. The course will involve serious scholarship, but Kern insisted it will also be fun. "I want to make sure I end up with the most dedicated fans of Harry Potter," he adds.
In keeping with the academic demands of the course, students will complete short research projects of their own design. "We might get a book of essays out of all this," Kern offered, "but ultimately, I just want my students to apply the skills they have developed in a wide variety of college courses to something that they've enjoyed, witnessed, and really been a part of.
A member of Lawrence's Department of History, Kern first heard about Harry Potter from his students. "Back in '98 or '99, they began to ask me about the books, because I teach a course on the history of religion, magic, and witchcraft. Little did I know then, how things would turn out."
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Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
Oh my gosh, how kewl! I wish they had that course at my college! I've already seen much of the wisdom of Harry Potter, but it'd be so awesome to have course on it!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 5:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1629
Seijuro Hiko says:
darn.. i wish i were going to school at lawrence... i wonder what time the class is going to be given. Maybe I'll sneak into class if it's not during my work day, seeing as how I live about a mile from Lawrence. Anybody else here on hpana from appleton?
Posted May 25, 2007 at 6:06 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1042
MissusGamgee says:
wow... I really wish that I lived close enough to be able to audit that course! Hopefully more schools will consider it :)
Posted May 25, 2007 at 6:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1218
hermygrangergirl says:
Ooh, I would definitely take this course! Although I just told my Dad about it now, and he said "That's ridiculous", heheh, so I guess to each his own opinion.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 6:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1852
A.D.Figg says:
Thats really cool! I live half an hour from Appleton, do you think they would notice if I decide to sit in on a class?
I would love to take that class!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 6:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
I don't know if I'd enjoy that. To make work out of something fun. I guess it would depend on what the syllabus was. I'm sure that's going to pop up more and more. Why not a LotR class or Chronicles of Narnia? Those have morals applicable to our time also. I feel some people are just trying to catch the wave.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:07 PM EST
Hogwarts Social Worker
Points: 3599
SnoopyLover says:
HP was not around when I was in college, and I wish I could go back if only to be able to take these kinds of courses. I think they would be great.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:24 PM EST
Student
Points: 231
IROCKMYFIREBOLT says:
All I can say is that is a very interesting idea! Don't know where i stand....kinda feel that its just a book and just enjoyed it for what it is....but also feel that i twould be neat to talk about it in a class room format like that!! Anyone that ends up taking the class on here let us know how it is!!!!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
Wow, that's only like 45 minutes from my house!!! I would love to be able to do something like that! I couldn't affort to do though so I guess it doesn't really matter. But it would be really fun. Too bad it's not an internet course-though you loose the benenfit of class discussion. Good luck to everyone who does apply-it would be really nice to sit and talk with other HP fans, no one I know has even read the books.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1264
-Alf- says:
For a red state to have HP for a college course is surprising. I hope it turns out great for the students at Lawrence.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
That would probably be one of the most interesting classes of all time. If they still have it when i go off to collage then I will for sure consider taking it.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 7:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 955
witch46 says:
I think it's a great idea. It looks like all they plan on doing is to deconstruct the theory in the books and to find all of the historical connections. It would be great if something like that was available here!!! :D
Posted May 25, 2007 at 8:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
I would absolutely love to take that class. Hopefully other colleges around the country will also have similar classes soon.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 8:21 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
What an incredible opportunity for HP fans to take an interdisciplinary approach to the books. I did an amazing course like this on Dante's Divine Comedy and it was the best experience of my academic career. There is nothing like being in a class full of people who have a real passion for a subject, with a knowledgeable professor to keep the conversations flowing. I'm sure anyone who makes it into the class will enjoy it!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 9:09 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
1USHPFN says:
What a great course that would be to take. There are so many aspects of the Harry Potter series that could be researched by students that it might be possible to base your whole course work on each alone. Now I'm wishing that I was attending Lawrence!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 9:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Aww man! I wish it could happen over here....
Posted May 25, 2007 at 9:55 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 395
Harry Potter Book Worm says:
How cool.. I wish they offered that in Australia, I would deffineterly be doing it. That would be sooooooooooo cool.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:05 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1104
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
Aw man.
I wish they taught that class down at LSU!
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
I would def pass this class!
how awesome would it to be taking a class on Harry Potter in college!
I wish they would offer this at the college I am going to.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2470
mar66 says:
That is amazing. I hope by the time i get to college those classes are more widespread. I would submit to be in that class in a heartbeat.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:34 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2316
loopy looney says:
WOW!!! i would take that class in a heartbeat...i am sure it will be packed.
Posted May 25, 2007 at 10:49 PM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
That sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to do something like that. That would be one class that I wouldn't hate and would enjoy going to.
Posted May 26, 2007 at 12:30 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Wow! I hope we have a course like that in here! I would take it right away!
Posted May 26, 2007 at 1:25 AM EST
Squib
Points: 170
MisterPalindrome says:
I don't know. I find it kind of depressing that college students need to be [b]bribed into taking a course on morality. All you college students present and future: Morality/Ethics courses are worthwhile and beneficial, with or without Harry Potter references. It's one I the few college courses I took that plays a part in my daily life.
Posted May 26, 2007 at 3:18 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2209
Scarlett Kent says:
What a great class! I wish every school had one like it.
Posted May 26, 2007 at 3:34 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26390
3.1415926535 says:
Errrmmm.... ok i find that just weird... do they have to pay? i would certainly not pay to 'think about harry potter' but thats just me...
Posted May 26, 2007 at 3:42 AM EST
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