HP on Sparknotes.com

[Penny Linsenmayer]

Hi all --
> 
> > Has anyone actually, seriously, studied Harry Potter in a class?

It's my understanding that HP classes have been offered in a number of
universities lately, and I'm personally aware of those offered at
Kansas State Univ. and California State - Long Beach.  

Heidi said:> 
> Seriously, and the programming team can address this better than I can
> (as I'm just on the Sponsor/Exhibitor side of things) but hundreds of
> people are gathering in Orlando in July for a four-day conference on
> Harry Potter, and there are a number of presentations focusing on it as
> "literature". Included among the presenters are professors from over a
> dozen universities, colleges and graduate schools.

Actually, there are professors from 34 universities and colleges --
all over the nation, as well as several overseas (the UK, Australia,
Manila and Bombay).  Several of the presenters will be discussing the
topic of whether the HP books are destined to be classics, whether
they are "childrens' literature" or not, etc.  In any case, HP is
definitely considered "literature" worthy of academic study.  There
are no less than 3 compilations of scholarly essays ("The Ivory Tower
and HP," edited by Dr. Lana Whited; "Multidisciplinary Perspectives on
HP," editor Dr. Elizabeth Heilman, and one that is upcoming and edited
by Dr. Giselle Anatol).  
 
> So yes, there is serious academic study of Harry Potter - come to Nimbus
> - 2003 and see some of it!

Yes, do!

Penny