Babson Wizard Teaches Politics and Ethnic Conflict…
His Texts? – Harry Potter books, of course!
Sorry muggles, the class is full!
Babson History & Society assistant professor Stephen Deets is teaching an advanced course in politics this fall. Required reading is all seven of J.K. Rowling's phenomenally successful Harry Potter books.
Don't try to fake it, kids; you may have to explain the debate about house elves and the issues SPEW (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) tackles, or discuss the tensions between purebloods, mudbloods and half-bloods…
The course will draw on parallels between the book and current and past international politics. According to Deets, there's enough fodder in these books to occupy students for more than one semester!
A description of the course offers this: “The first part of the course will focus on how the books address such issues as identity, including discrimination and ethnic conflict, and governmental power, including the role of the bureaucracy and the media. The second part will look at the book itself, examining efforts to remove the book from public schools, the reaction to the book in different countries, and how the book is enmeshed in global trade issues.”
Just when you think you know what to expect, they add a new twist to the curriculum. Will the final exam include a Triwizard Tournament?
