Durham University offers Harry Potter course

Aug 18 2010 by Kerry Wood, The Journal

MUGGLES in the North East have been caught under the spell of Harry Potter as crowds sign up to study the world of the boy wizard.

With the new university term still weeks away more than 70 students have already committed to the magical module looking at the social phenomenon of author JK Rowling’s creation.

Forget wands, witches and would-be wizards, undergraduates at Durham University will use the seven-book series to explore courage and integrity, the effects of being educated away from home and anarchy and rebellion.

Using the example of the mythical school Hogwarts, students – or non-magic people known as muggles in the mythical world – will look at prejudice and intolerance in today’s society as demonstrated in the books by the opposing houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin.

It’s believed to be the first time a university in England has offered the course created for Durham by Dr Martin Richardson, director of the education studies degree.

Durham University registrar, Carolyn Fowler, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into developing it, and we are extremely excited to be offering it as a study option to our undergraduate students, who have already expressed a high level of interest.

“Harry Potter is a culturally iconic phenomenon and has already been the subject of many well-regarded academic studies over recent years, so it is only fitting that a leading university like Durham responds to new developments in our academic and wider social and cultural environment in developing new modules like this.