Textbook Harry

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Stupefy!’ ‘Experillamus’! His wand flew out of the door, outraged. Doesn't the line ring a familiar bell? Of course, it is Harry Potter. A classic favourite among young readers, Harry Potter has found a place in the course curriculum of Durham University in the UK this year. Around 80 undergraduates have already signed up for it.

Though students will not be taught wizardry in keeping with the books, or how to wave a wand, the course will cover the social and cultural aspects of life through the novel and examine prejudice, bullying and friendship in modern society.
Considering its fantastic elements, the novel is sure to find many teens wanting to give it a shot. City teens sound excited at such an opportunity hoping to learn a lesson or two from the boy wizard. “I would love to take up a course on Harry Potter as I’ve been a huge fan of the series. I always thought he had guts and was in a way, a hero. If I am taught anything related to his experiences it might make me deal with circumstances in a better way,” expresses Keertana Raichuri, a student of DPS, Hyderabad.
Teenagers are inspired by the character who made waves as an orphan who showed faith in what he believes in. Some believe incorporating it as a study module could be interesting, but it would depend on how the course has been structured. “It could benefit students, for example we can learn from the course in an imaginative way, after all, who isn’t fond of stories? I would definitely give it a try if I could attend the course,” says Sagarika Emmaneni, a 18-year-old.
It’s fun to learn through a story, but how useful is the course? Does it stand a chance in India? Sagarika opines, “May be the course will change the way students are taught. Potter fans here in India will love to take it up I am sure.” But others express apprehension over a module like this which doesn’t hold any strong academic credentials. Keerthana Sham, a 19-year-old gives a practical picture, “I don’t think I would be interested in a course that relates to a single personality and the hurdles he faces. It would be boring plus it isn’t academically that strong. But if it is taught properly, then it might help students a great deal as certain sides to his personality can be explored, like how he becomes a hero after having endured hostile foster parents. It can help as a good psychology subject maybe.” Apprehensions aside, Harry Potter fans would love to bask in the excitement of a course based on the novels.