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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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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
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1451
leeanne<3ron says:
Hrm. This would be interesting to take, but where would the qualifiaction get you if you get one ?
But it would be good take as an adult in spare time or something.
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 2:05 PM EST
Lunarly challenged
Points: 2480
Grayback'sVictim says:
*laughs*
Well no he wouldn't... But then again Harry isn't a typical hero *misterious look* =)
Well I sure would like to be in this class. Do you get a grade? That would be nice =)
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 5:54 PM EST
Squib
Points: 129
Sarah * says:
That would be so cool to be in that class, it would probably be one i'd actually want to go to!
It does seem kind of pointless though unless it counts as an english grade i suppose, but even then its based on theories of JKs imagination rather than real life morals.
I wonder how serious employers would take you aswell with a qualification in HP.
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 9:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
As much fun as HP can be to read and discuss canon, kind of ripping it apart from an analytical perspective would kind of take the enjoyment out of it, don't you think? At least, you would never read the stories the same way again.
Posted Sep 27, 2008 at 11:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 670
draconifors says:
Good idea!,But there starting to get a bit over the top with things.
Posted Sep 28, 2008 at 2:03 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 15
karezdana says:
I think enrolling with that course will really have you know more about the books but it wont have you the pleasure to enjoy the book hehe...
think its somewhat awkward hehe...
Posted Sep 28, 2008 at 8:08 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 64
Meganc93 says:
=]]
I dont think I understand, But I love talking about Harry Potter. So...thats nice I guess?
Posted Sep 28, 2008 at 10:58 AM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...But, they still have not figured out that Voldemort is still alive...
Posted Sep 28, 2008 at 11:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
That sounds like a very interesting course and discussion. I bet all of us hpanaers could add quite an educated perspective to that debate. And of course it's a popular course... all things HP are!
Posted Sep 29, 2008 at 9:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3656
Anastasia Popovick says:
Amazing...all these years of college, 3 degrees, and I can take a course on HP vs. Voldemort. Just amazing...
Posted Sep 30, 2008 at 8:05 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1862
Bright Eyes says:
Aw! I want to take that class - it sounds incredible. Actually. I' like to teach that class!
Posted Sep 30, 2008 at 7:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 556
Sexyjeans says:
I think the word battling there is also prefer to as struggling something like sruggling against evil curses.. Well Harry was such a good example for everyone.. JK really excites the readers
Using those different curses makes readers beleive that it was true..as it was
Posted Oct 3, 2008 at 12:40 PM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
they have developed a lottery system to assign who can enter the course.
That's not really fair, is it?
I'd love to take the course but I'd definitely be upset if I lost a seat because of some 'stupid' lottery system. :D
Posted Oct 5, 2008 at 3:44 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
WoW!How I wish one of my subjects could be as interesting as that,I'm sooo gonna attend that class.
Posted Oct 7, 2008 at 6:05 AM EST
Squib
Points: 131
DonnaK says:
Sound like a interesting course.
Debating if there is a line of what you can do and still be good. Had Harry killed the most evil being to ever exist would he still be good because he would be a killer too.
Posted Oct 19, 2008 at 2:32 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
How interesting.. .this is one class i would have loved to have been in! But with regards to what their discussing, the difference between the deathe eaters and those who are not is more than just the use of the Unforgivable curses. It's about what they do with them, the choices they make and the reasons they do them. Harry's reason for using the cruciatus curse is an emotional one, an instinctive reaction where you lash out at those hurting the ones you love or hurting you. Bellatrix used it simply for the pleasure of causing pain. The difference.. .the intention behind the action. Of course, it doesn't mean harry was right to use the Cruciatus curse, just that he's not perfect.
Posted Oct 23, 2008 at 10:16 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 328
whynotcuse says:
haha wow... I want to enroll in that course!
Posted Nov 3, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 587
Jacob_Knight says:
Hmm. This is an interesting idea. Kinda like some colleges have classes for The Lord of the Rings and what impact that has had on society. Or themes similiar between The Lord of the Rings and real society. I think I'd like the good vs. evil discussion more than what happened to Umbridge. And people thinking Harry's evil just because he's used some of the Unforgivable curses? That's crazy. Everybody does things they shouldn't when they are under stress.
Posted Jan 20, 2009 at 3:31 PM EST
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