[HPforGrownups] You are in charge of Hogwarts

[Kelly Grosskreutz]

No: HPFGUIDX 56642

From: mongo62aa

These are my current thoughts.  Hogwarts is the only magical higher-
education facility in Great Britain.  I assume that anybody wishing
to continue their studies must either become apprentice to a Master
in their field, go overseas to a higher-level institution (if any
exist), or devise a program of self-study.  The first change I would
make at Hogwarts would be to allow for additional education for those
who want it.  Basically, Hogwarts would offer a standard 7-year `core
block' of subjects, with additional subjects for those who want them,
and who qualify.  The additional subjects would not be restricted to
students currently taking the `core block', although they would be
welcome, and expected, to join, but also `graduate students' and
adults wanting to upgrade their skills.


Me:

I do like the idea of a secondary program being made available.  However, I
think we'll find out in the upcoming  books why they don't have one of those
programs in place.  I mean, Percy graduated from Hogwarts and already got a
job at the MoM.

mongo62aa

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.

Me:

I need to ask.  WHY do you have phy. ed. every day of the week?  I do not
know of one school in my area (midwest U.S.) that has phy ed every day of
the week.  2-3 times a week, fine, but every day is a little much.

mongo62aa

Critical Thinking (1 class per week)
Ethics (1 class per week)
Writing Skills (1 class per week)

Me:

These three things can easily be implemented within the class structure of
other classes.  DADA was suggested as one plausible place for Ethics, and I
could see Critical Thinking come into play there.  They already get a lot of
practice with research in classes such as History of Magic and Potions.  As
for Writing Skills, the only lack I really see at Hogwarts is in Creative
Writing.  The kids get a lot of practice writing essays and chapter
summaries, but never do we see them write a story or poetry for a class.
Now that we mention it, there is no music or art program at Hogwarts, and
little extracurricular activities (with the exception of Quidditch and the
short-lived Duelling Club).

mongo62aa

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)

Me

To me, some of this stuff isn't as necessary to witches and wizards.  I
believe their version of Mathematics is Arithmancy.  They get what they are
going to need of Science in a combination of classes.  Potions is the
equivalent of Chemistry, CoMC and Herbology covering the life sciences, and
Astronomy...well, you can guess.  Plus they get to even apply what they
learn in Astronomy in Divination.  Not sure how much Muggle History and
Literature they would need to know in the wizarding world.  Maybe these
could be a graduate level course for those who wish to pursue a career
involving Muggle relations.

mongo62aa

Muggle Daily Life (2 classes per week)
Magical Theory (1 class per week)

Muggle-borns, of course, being exempted from the first class, since they
already know this.  Muggle-borns would be taking your Wizarding Daily Life
class during that time.  But yes, these two are definitely required.

mongo62aa

Potions (2 classes per week)

The two classes would be consecutive, in order to allow time for
setting up the equipment, brew the `potion of the week', and clean up
afterwards.

Me:

So are you saying that they would only have Potions one day a week, but just
have it take place twice as long to take up two class periods?

mongo62aa

Charms (3 classes per week)
History of Wizarding World (1 class per week)

Me:

Add to the list Transfiguration and DADA (with a competent, qualified
professor teaching it for more than one year)

mongo62aa

The students would be able to take up to 9 elective classes (some
courses counting as more than one class per week), although I doubt
that many would.

Non-Hogwarts students would be able to take elective subjects, both
for continuing education and for graduate studies, so Hogwarts would
be a combined `high school' and `university'.  Many of the Professors
would have both teaching and research roles.

Me:

Wow, that's a lot to throw on these professors, IMO.  Not only are they
teaching the basic Potions, Charms, whatever, but now they are teaching
specialized versions of it to the advanced students/university students, as
well as research.  I hope none of these people wanted to have a life outside
of Hogwarts/their career.

Kelly Grosskreutz
http://www.idcnet.com/~ivanova