Course Objective
The objective of this course is to explore J.K. Rowling’s world in the Harry Potter series through book discussions and activities. In this course we will help legitimize the genre of fantasy by exploring topics, themes, and issues brought about by this series. In addition, we will try to understand what makes the series so compelling to generations of readers, and what has made it the best-selling book series of all time. We hope to prove that Harry Potter is a work of academic merit to our students. To do this, we will discuss:

(1) the history of magic, witchcraft, and wizardry
(2) social hierarchies and the role of race in culture
(3) social relationships and dynamics: friendships and families
(4) international education and cooperation
(5) the role of government and corruption, concentration on authoritarianism, in civilian life
(6) children’s literature, fantasy novels and the Harry Potter fandom
(7) the role of death and love in the hero’s journey

This class is open to everyone, from the most dedicated fans to those who have never read the books or watched the movies. As such, we will assume that you have not read the complete Harry Potter series upon entering this class. (This class will operate on a zero-spoiler policy!)

The Class
Each class will usually be split into two parts. The first part is a discussion, a reading quiz, and a short lecture concerning that week's reading. The second is a fun activity based on that week's reading, for which you can win points for your house toward the illustrious House Cup. (See the schedule below for a list of our awesome activities.) Points will also be awarded for bringing in food (extra for homemade or Harry Potter themed food!)

The Books
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone OR Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Additional readings and multimedia resources will be available to you online.
Do not be discouraged by the booklist. Each book can easily been read in less than one day, so it will not be hard to finish reading them throughout the semester. These books will be fun to read, so don’t be surprised if you finish them all sooner than expected!

The Rules
You must abide by these rules in order to participate in the course, or else risk detention or expulsion from Hogwarts. (Please!) For special circumstances, contact a facilitator as soon as possible.
Cell Phones should be kept on silent or, even better, turned off. Please. (If you have a Harry Potter ringtone, though, that’s an entirely different matter. …)
Laptops are prohibited in class.
Tardiness - Please be on time. You are also expected to stay for the entire class period. Repeated truancy will result in loss of house points and a risk of failing the class.
Food is allowed in class. We encourage (and incentivize) you to bring Harry Potter-themed treats to share every week! However, we ask that the foods not be smelly, loud, or bothersome in any way. If you make a mess, you better clean it up!

The Grade
This class will be graded on a Pass/No Pass system and those who pass will be rewarded with two units in English 98/198. The grade will be based upon the following:
Attendance & Participation – 40%. Attendance is absolutely crucial toward your success in this class. Roll will be taken during every class. If you come late or leave early without a good reason, you will be docked points. Each week the first half of class will consist of a combination of lecture and discussion relating to the week’s reading. The second half of each class period will be a fun activity related to the week’s reading or the series as a whole. We will also have weekly assignments. If you can demonstrate your understanding of the readings and are active during class, you will receive a good participation grade.
Weekly Reading Quizzes – 10%. There will be a short reading quiz at the beginning of every class.
Written Reflection – 15%. This is just a two-page, double-spaced response to the series and the secondary readings. You will be asked to make connections between concepts in the books and concepts in these articles, using your own interpretation of the readings (this means this is no *right* answer, we’re just looking for some original thinking). Reflection questions will be distributed two weeks before the due date (see syllabus).
The Final Project – 35%. In lieu of a final, you will have a final project. You must submit a project proposal to the instructors by November *early in the month*. More information concerning this project will be passed out a few weeks before it is due. The final project is your own creative interpretation of the material covered throughout the course. It can be whatever you want: a story written in the world of Harry Potter, an illustration of some sort, a video, a game, or performance art – anything you like so long as it meets two conditions. The first is that you must relate it fairly explicitly to the course material. The second is that you must put some time into it; although we aren't expecting a drawing of yours to be worthy of the Louvre, we nevertheless will refuse to accept something obviously drawn in the ten minutes before class. You are allowed to work in a group. Final projects will not be accepted late – barring grave circumstances (emphasis on “grave”), no exceptions to this rule will be granted. Don’t stress about this – the idea is that you put effort into it because you really like what you’re doing.

During the first full week of classes at our DeCal's normal time, we hold an application session where we explain a little more about the class and then give everyone present an application. This application session will take place on August 29th at 6pm in B5 Hearst Field Annex. After we process applications, we will notify those who have been accepted via email and give them the CCN (we will also notify those who were not accepted; we encourage you to apply again in following semesters!). We only have 40 spots and normally 80-120 students apply, so we cannot guarantee definite admission. We judge applications blindly and as a group to keep the application process fair. If you have any questions not answered here, feel free to email us.