When the “Harry Potter” series was initially released, some adult critics of the book shot it down, saying it was a book only children could enjoy.
“Harry Potter” proved a force to be reckoned with for people of all ages.
The “Harry Potter” book series and film franchise spawned a dedicated following of children and adults alike.
More recently, the “Harry Potter” books and films have permeated education, from grade school to college.
From music to English, and even physical education, students are being exposed to “Harry Potter” in almost every possible way.
“Harry Potter” has influenced higher education so much that there are now college classes entirely devoted to the series.
The University doesn’t have an official “Harry Potter” class, but that hasn’t kept some professors from recognizing the influence the series has had on pop culture and society.
Though the “Harry Potter” phenomenon has not yet permeated classes at the University, Diaz said “Harry Potter” still has a place in education.
Frank Diaz, a music education teacher at the University, said the music from “Harry Potter,” composed by John Williams, tends to be played by orchestras at “pop” concerts or themed concerts.
“It’s not on the same level as Beethoven, but it is well written,” Diaz said. “It’s really good movie music.”
Michael Aronson, associate director of the cinema studies program, said that to his knowledge, the films are not used in cinema studies classes at the University.
“As a way of getting kids into classical music, it’s a really good tool, especially for middle school, even high school,” Diaz said.
Some college students, who have not yet left the wizarding world they grew up with, still find solace by playing quidditch at the University or returning to their beloved Harry Potter novels when Chaucer proves too heavy.
Other universities across the country have created courses that mix higher education with “Harry Potter” pop culture that students can identify with.
Courses range from English to science, sociology and even religion.
Yale University offers a controversial and popular course called “Christian Theology and Harry Potter.”
The class plays on and discusses themes such as sin, evil and resurrection in the series.
It also explores the controversy of the novels being “anti-Christian.”
Oregon State offers the aptly named class “Finding Your Patronus,” a freshman seminar intended to help freshmen get oriented with college life.
The teacher, Mamta Accapadi, uses the saga to give advice on how to deal with a variety of instructors on campus, like the Snapes or Trelawneys they may have to deal with.
Diaz said that though “Harry Potter” is not often taught in college curricula, the influence it has on students cannot be ignored.
“It’s almost as popular as ‘Star Wars” music,” Diaz said.
He also argues that students who grew up with the music and the movies have the sounds imprinted in their brains.
“It’s powerful. You learn to associate the music with the (films), characters, memory …” Diaz said. “That’s why it really works.”
[email protected]