FYS 1253 - The Women of Harry Potter

Credits: 4
Those of us that are Potter fans love Harry, however, Harry’s success in defeating Voldemort is scaffolded by a supporting cast of characters. The female characters in the Harry Potter books and movies provide the foundation, motivation and in some cases, the sense of family, all of which are essential for Harry to persevere. The course will also explore the background of the female author, JK Rowling and how her perspective influenced the development of the female characters. Discussion will focus on questions such as: What role does each character play in molding Harry’s core values? How do the female characters who are nemeses to Harry actually make him stronger and more effective as a hero? We will unpack the influence of major characters such as Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley as well as a few of the minor characters like Mrs. Figg and Professor Trelawney. We will use a variety of media to explore characters and will work in small groups for our discussion.
McDaniel Plan: First Year Seminar