You are in charge of Hogwarts

[Andrea]

No: HPFGUIDX 56616

--- Bill wrote:
> So Voldemort had been defeated, and celebrations are underway.  
> Tragically, Albus Dumbledore chokes to death on a Lemon Drop during 
> the festivities.  The Deputy Headmistress, Prof. McGonnagall, has run 
> off to the South Pacific with Madam Hooch.  A desperate Ministry of 
> Magic turns to YOU and asks you to take over at Hogwarts.  They tell 
> you that you have complete freedom to make any changes you deem 
> necessary, and funding to do so.  You accept the offer.  What do you 
> do?

*snickers* I really loved the way you laid this out, btw. :)  A few
quibbles, of course, with how you've laid it out.  (I wouldn't be me if I
didn't argue!)

> Physical Education (5 classes per week)
> 
> Right now, there is no physical training at Hogwarts other than 
> Quidditch.  One class each day would be devoted to fitness exercises 
> and sports.

Since the books are told from Harry's POV, we don't really know if that's
true or not.  We know HARRY doesn't have to go to PE, because he's on the
Quidditch team, but most schools have an exemption from standard PE if
you're on one of the sports teams.  That's also why we don't see any
flying classes past the first one Harry's in on, although I don't think
that means we should assume the others get no more instruction in flight
than that!
 
> Writing Skills (1 class per week)
> 
> Starting with penmanship and grammar, and then composition.  In 
> higher years, this would include business writing, etc.

Well, keep in mind that the students are 11 when they started, so they've
already learned basics of penmanship and grammar.  Extensive reading and
writing will grant these skills without necessarily them being formally
taught, which is I believe how it is at Hogwarts currently.  I learned far
more valuable writing skills by DOING it than being taught it.  
 
> Mathematics (2 classes per week)
> Science (2 classes per week)
> Geography (1 class per week)
> Muggle History (2 classes per week)
> Muggle Literature (1 class per week)

Great for Muggles, but why do the wizarding students have to learn all of
this?  These may be very important things for Muggle students to learn
about, but why does a witch need to know about the Magna Carta or the
freezing point of water?  She operates in a different governmental system
with its own history, and can freeze water with a wave of her wand. 
"Rules" of mathematics and science operate *vastly* differently for the
wizarding world than the Muggle, so I really don't see why it's important
to teach them that.  Some basic knowledge of the Muggle world would be
important, yes, but I don't think this much time (8 classes a week?!)
should be devoted to them.  A simple "Muggle Life" class would be the
better choice, I think, with those interested able to continue on in more
advanced Muggle Studies with an eye towards a career that uses those
elements more often.

> Magical Theory (1 class per week)
> 
> The relationship between various branches of magic, and how and why 
> it works.

I think this one is a great idea.  It gives the Muggle-born students the
grounding they need, and the wizard-born ones the actual facts and
theories instead of "everybody knows" knowledge so they can apply them
better.
 
> Potions (2 classes per week)

> Charms (3 classes per week)

I find it amusing that 5 classes is all you allot for actual magic in your
magic school.  Isn't that the reason they're THERE?  No Transfiguration at
all, nor Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark
Arts, etc that was apparently important enough for the entire school year
to be devoted to them at pre-Bill Hogwarts.  This is like taking out
English and Science in favor of nothing but Home Ec!  These are the core
classes, and the rest of your schedule should really be built around them,
IMO.

> Wizarding Daily Life (2 classes per week)
> 
> Covers everything from broom-flying, to household cleaning charms, to 
> dealing with the Ministry of Magic.

Perhaps there could be a "Wizard/Muggle Daily Life" class, with the
wizard-born taking the Muggle Life one and the Muggle-born taking the
Wizard Life one, so both get the grounding in the other world.  Probably
just a first year class, later phased on in favor of more advanced
studies.  A general Muggle Studies course, as mentioned earlier, would be
kept up for all students to give everyone a grounding in the Muggle world.



Andrea

=====
"Reality is for people who lack imagination."

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