All the possible OWLS

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 126001



> Hannah :  Yes, I agree with you Sandy (some good arguments 
> there), and I'll add on my own favourite arguments against 
> the 'separate OWLs for practical and theory' hypothesis. Firstly, 
it 
> makes no sense from an academic point of view.  OK, I know that is 
> true of quite a few things about Hogwarts that are canon, but I 
> still think it stands.
> 
> If OWLs were awarded separately for practical and theory, then what 
> would be the incentive for a lot of kids who don't like memorising 
> things, writing essays, etc. to bother with the theory side?  If 
you 
> can get your practical Charms OWL and perform the magic you want, 
> why would you bother to do all the book learning if you don't enjoy 
> it?  And likewise, what would be the use of a Charms theory OWL if 
> you were actually incapable of performing any of the Charms?  In 
> fact, if this were the case, a Muggle could go in and pass the 
> theory OWLs if they were taught the facts.
> 
> I think the theory and the practical for magic are inextricably 
> linked, rather like science in the RL.  You don't have two separate 
> GCSEs (RL OWL equivalent) for 'practical science' and 'theoretical 
> science.'  Rather the science exam is made up of both a theoretical 
> and a practical element.  If you understand the theory but cannot 
> actually design and perform experiments, you can't be an effective 
> scientist (I left the profession for that very reason - too 
clumsy), 
> but likewise it's no good being able to perform the practical parts 
> without any understanding of the theory behind what you're trying 
to 
> do.  The same goes for other subjects, like music, PE, drama etc. I 
> see magic in the same way.
> 
> My other argument, in addition to those given already by other 
> posters, is when McGonagall talks to Harry about the grades needed 
> to be an Auror.  She is talking about Transfiguration, Charms, 
> Potions, DADA - all the subjects that are most often suggested as 
> being separated into two elements.  But she doesn't say 'and that 
> means both parts, practical and theory' and nor does Harry ask if 
it 
> has to be for both parts, or either part, or one part more than the 
> other.  

Finwitch:

Well, their exams take two weeks, (and weekend is off). TEN DAYS.
They take, for most part, one subject a day. Of course, as Astronomy 
Practical takes place at midnight and History of Magic cannot have 
practical part... so 12 OWLS maximum is decently estimated. (Of 
course, it MIGHT be possible to use a time-turner for more, but 
TERRIBLY exhausting!)

Yes, I'd say Owl per subject does well enough. Theory-part, Lunch-
break, practical-part... (except that Astronomy was midnight and thus 
not really involved...)

But we'll see Harry's grades in July, right? That will tell us... but 
what about the NEWTs?

Finwitch