Any and all collegiate fans of the "Harry Potter" series will be interested to hear that JK Rowling's young adult masterpiece continues to live on...in a university, of all places...and a U.S.-based one at that. Thanks to the good folks at io9 for the heads up.
California State University: San Marcos is offering a new course that deeply delves into the fascinating universe of "The Boy Who Lived."
The course itself it called "British Culture & Harry Potter," and the objectives of this program are:
-Explore and experience through travel the cultural and historical locations in England and Scotland that inspired the Harry Potter series.
-Identify and assess the similarities and differences between the novels and films and the ways in which each drew inspiration from cultural sites in Great Britain.
-Identify and assess the similarities and differences between the novels and films and the ways in which each drew inspiration from cultural sites in Great Britain.
-Develop critical thinking skills about complex social issues relating to inequality, race, and gender within the context of contemporary Great Britain.
"If you grew up fascinated by the magical world of Harry Potter, this program is for you!" the Program Overview continues. "Through a combination of travel, experiential learning and academic investigation, this course will explore the locations that inspired the Harry Potter novels and films."
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2015 Summer Program, and it costs a little over $5k (!!) to take this course because of all the travel involved. Here's hoping CSSM can get this off ground before the rather litigious Ms. Rowling casts an Avada Kedarva spell on the whole thing.
