Subjects at Hogwarts

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 145130

alora67 wrote:
> I think the twins will be very important.  Look at the things they 
> have invented!  I'm not surprised that they didn't do that well with 
> OWLs, because they are so focussed on other things.  It's possible 
> they might come up with something to help Harry out of a tight 
> situation.  It's also possible that one or both will die.  I have a 
> bad feeling about them.....

Bart:
	I still maintain that, in the Potterverse, artificing is, for some 
reason, held at a lower level of esteem than it probably should be. 
Someone here mentioned that "Charms" covers artificing, but I have seen 
no indication in the canon that this is correct. Here are what the 
subjects cover, as near as I can figure (with a little advice from 
http://www.answers.com/topic/hogwarts-subjects ):

Transfiguration: This seems to be the clearest. It is the changing the 
physical properties of the object of the spell, anywhere from physical 
appearance to it's entire physical structure.

Potions: What we had been shown has been largely "cookbook" stuff; 
follow the instructions, make the potions. Yet, there are indications, 
verified in Advanced Potions, that theory is also taught. Fred and 
George are certainly conversant with a lot of theory, and Hermoine 
implies that this is taught. Certainly, Snape's notes show that the 
theory is available to lower levels.

Charms: This appears to be the art of getting the object of the spell to 
do something without altering its physical structure; usually involving 
motion, although mind altering spells would go under this, as well.

Defense against the Dark Arts: The study of creatures that attack 
humans, and spells used to attack humans, and the learning of spells and 
techniques to defend one's self from them.

Care of Magical Creatures: How to deal with non-human magical creatures; 
it appears to be of limited importance in the magic world. Too bad 
proper treatment of house elves isn't in the cirriculum.

Muggle Studies: It appears that people in the magical community do not 
interact much with Muggles, but it's important for those who do to have 
an idea of how to do so without giving themselves away.

Astronomy: Appears to be similar to Muggle Astronomy, although, 
especially considering that astrology is taught in Divination, it is not 
made clear why this is considered to be sufficiently important that it 
is taught as a separate subject.

Divination: Appears to be similar to Muggle divination. The problem with 
it is that the future is NOT predetermined; all that can be divined is 
probabilities. Dumbledore does not have a high opinion of it, and, 
feeling that it was more important to protect Trelawny, hired a relative 
incompetent to teach the subject. I suspect that Firenze has a stronger 
hold of the subject.

Herbology: The care of and properties of plants. Probably highly 
complementary with Potions. As a number of plants are not only 
dangerous, but also mobile, safety concerns are also taught.


History of Magic: Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to 
repeat it.

Arithmancy: We know virtually nothing about this, but we can assume that 
it's in the realm of theory of magic.

Ancient Runes: Not clear if this is for understanding the language of 
ancient spells, or if the runes themselves are magical, making this a 
theoretical course as well.

	Bart