MuggleNet Academia (Literature)
MuggleNet Academia Lesson 56: "Fantastic Beasts and North America - A Study of Eugenics"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Harry Potter and Fantastics Beasts sagas.

In this lesson, we are joined by returning Potter Pundit, Chris Gavaler from Washington & Lee University, as we tackle a very difficult subject to discuss in American History - Eugenics

Eugenics is difficult to wrap your head around when you consider that it actually began in America and culminated in Nazi Germany with the killing of 20 million Jews, gypsies, and undesirables. We give the listener a strong understanding of its history and lead into how the setting of 1926 America in J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts is centered around this subject. Even actor, Ezra Miller (Credence Barebones) and Director David Yates stated during interviews how Eugenics is a crucial subject in this setting of Fantastic Beasts.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson56.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:38pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 55: "Fantastic Beasts - From Screen to Book"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Hogwarts saga.

In this lesson, we are joined by the trio of Hogwarts Professors Team members with returning Potter pundits, Professor Louise Freeman from Mary Baldwin University, Professor Elizabeth Baird-Hardy from Maryland Community College, and Professor Emily Strand from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

It's a BIG ONE listeners and fans as we are tackling the first of five films and screenplays in the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them saga. We examine everything on this film from the composition of the story structure, the creatures, scenes, North American Indian folklore missteps, and so much more. This is a "Fantastic" discussion that you will not want to miss.

WARNING: Spoilers are contained throughout the lesson, so be sure you have watched the Fantastic Beasts film before listening to this show.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

 

Direct download: Lesson55.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 4:58pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 51: “Harry Potter and the Indian in the Cupboard”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Hogwarts saga.

In response to objections of Native American critics to Rowling’s failings there have been dismissals from some parts of Harry Potter fandom of these criticisms as “politically correct” and that “it’s just a story.” But Rowling has set herself up to being held to a higher standard, hasn’t she? Both in the research she did for the Hogwarts Saga and the tone and themes of those books?

  • Rowling said in trailer to Fantastic Beasts that her stories are about those “set apart, stigmatized, or othered,”
  • In a July 7, 2000 Entertainment Weekly interview, J.K. Rowling admits, “bigotry is probably the thing I detest most. All forms of intolerance, the whole idea of ‘that which is different from me is necessarily evil.’

Besides the size of her following, are these the kinds of comments and the hypocrisy of the Pottermore back stories the reasons fans are so surprised and disappointed? John Greene has said “Reading is always an act of empathy. It’s always an imagining of what it’s like to be someone else.” I suppose writing is, too. Has Rowling failed here in empathy, as well as research and understanding?

We’ve invited two authorities on literature and First Nations traditions to talk with us and share their reading of these chapters: Dr. Amy H. Sturgis and Allison Mills.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

Direct download: Lesson51.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:02pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 50: “Harry Potter and the Genetics of Wizardry”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Hogwarts saga.

Science in Harry Potter? You’re kidding, right? Harry’s adventures are set in a magical world that is the antithesis of the Muggle realm’s dependence on science and engineering; magic by definition is the suspension of the laws of nature, and, as science is the exploration of those laws, the worlds should not meet, even in the potions laboratory of Professor Snape. Except in one field, namely, genetics. Witches and wizards, pure-blood, half-bloods, mudbloods, and even squibs are all subject to and products of the vagaries of chromosomes and genetic coding like all the rest of us and as this is no small part of the larger meaning of the Hogwarts Saga – the prejudice of purebloods to muggleborns – getting the genetics right is an important thing.

Joining us today to talk about this is Dr. Eric Spana, an Assistant Professor in the Practice of Biology at Duke, who is an expert on the subject and Priyanka Nadar, founder of the Harry Potter Alliance chapter at Mary Baldwin University who has her Masters in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

Direct download: Lesson50.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 5:28pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 49: “Rights, Copyrights, and Playwrights - The Legal Side of Rowling’s Magic”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Hogwarts saga.

In this lesson we discuss the relationships between J.K. Rowling and her literary agents and Warner Bros. to discuss Rowling's copyrights, trademarks, merchandising, and extended content such as "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Cursed Child" productions and subsequent book productions. What are some of the legal ins and outs associated with all of these projects and who leads it all? Is it Rowling herself, Blair Partnerships, or is it the Harry Potter Global Franchise Division? We discuss all of this and more with our returning guest, Heidi Tandy, lawyer extraordinaire and co-founder of HPEF and Fiction Alley. Also joining us today are student guest, Mary Wojcicki, and Haley Lewis.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

 

Direct download: Lesson49.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 48: “Cursed Child: Praise, Criticism, and Pigeons”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

Once again, the MuggleNet Academia team of host Keith Hawk, managing editor for MuggleNet, and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, brings our fans the latest in academic discussions within the Hogwarts saga. In this lesson, we discuss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in depth.

SPOILER WARNING: During this academic lesson, we will be discussing many plot points and offering literary analysis from the 'draft rehearsal script' including many spoilers. DO NOT Listen to this lesson if you have not read the script.

Not since the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has the Harry Potter fandom gathered at midnight in bookstores and libraries around the world for a new story from Rowling’s beloved Wizarding World. The ‘draft rehearsal script’ of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was published at the witching hour on Harry and Jo’s birthday, 31 July, and Potter Pundits around the world have been reading and re-reading in a hurry to let us know what they think of it. MuggleNet Academia has invited the faculty of HogwartsProfessor.com, our friends Professors Elizabeth Baird-Hardy, Louise Freeman, and Emily Strand with my co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor himself, to join us and get the conversation going.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

 

Direct download: Lesson48.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:32am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 47: "How to Write Like Rowling"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we have asked C. S. Plocher, professional editor who blogs at WriteLikeRowling.com, and Christine Frazier of the BetterNovelProject.com webBlog to join us in opening a new subject, namely, knowing what we do about Harry Potter as a literary artifact. Can we reproduce its success at least in part by imitating how J.K. Rowling tells her seven part epic? Have other authors already done this? Where did Rowling find her tools or are they unique to her?

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

Direct download: Lesson47.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:41pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 46: "Saving All of our Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts for the Upcoming Releases"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we take a strong look at the upcoming releases within the Wizarding World itself: The Cursed Child play and its associated script in book form; Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them film and its associated screenplay in book form; the theme park openings; along with the constant backstory from JKR's Pottermore website. Is this all for the betterment of the fans? Or is there a hidden shadow in the form of fan exploitation in the works? Returning to the show to talk with us about the new movies and related controversies are screenplay writer extraordinaire and first tier Potter Pundit, Janet Batchler, and MuggleNet staffer and recent graduate of Broadcasting, Amy Hogan.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson46.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 6:05pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 45: "District 9 3/4 - Harry Potter and the Hunger Games: Critical Insights"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, a critical insight to the widely popular Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. On the surface the stories could not be more different: one is contemporary School Boy Gothic with a rich undercurrent of humor and satire, the other is dystopian fiction and almost unfailingly grim. But they deliver an experience that made Katniss’ trials in her Games arenas seem like a continuation or an expansion of Harry’s battles with the Dark Lord. Tonight, we have invited three noted Potter Pundits -- the editor of the just published Critical Insights volume on The Hunger Games, Lana Whited, and two contributors to this volume, Dr Amy H Sturgis and Elizabeth Baird-Hardy -- to talk about Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, and what we learn about each series in appreciating the other.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson45.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:42am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 44: “Is there such a thing as Harry Potter Canon anymore?”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss Wizarding World tsunami of new material and other work from Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling and whether or not we should consider these storylines as part of the Potter canon. Cursed Child, a play that Rowling has had a hand in bringing to the stage will debut this summer and be published as a play simultaneously. Fantastic Beasts, the first of a series of films written by Rowling, rolls out this fall, and the continuous outpouring of information and backstory from Pottermore.

Joining hosts Keith Hawk and John Granger is Professor John Mark Reynolds from The St. Constantine School in Houston, Texas and MuggleNet Staff member and co-host of Alohomora, Alison Siggard.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

 

Direct download: Lesson44.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:58am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 43: “Tris Transfigured: Allegiant meets Potter”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss the recent cinematic release of the Divergent Series: Allegiant with special emphasis on the similarities and contrasts between Veronica Roth's written material and Lionsgate's cinematic journey. We also dive into the thematic similarities found within the Divergent and Potter series with psychological aspects from the different sorting structures. Our special guest on this lesson is our good friend Professor Louise Freeman of Mary Baldwin College in Virginia and our student guest is Hanako Ricks, who is a mega fan of both series as well as a podcast co-host for the Sci-Fi Party Line.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson43.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:49pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 42: "Pottermore’s Sorting Hat: The Dark Triad Dirty Dozen"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss the Pottermore Sorting Quiz by J.K. Rowling and what the resultant house assignment really tells about you and your personality. What does this sorting say to you about your relationship with the Harry Potter saga. Are you an extraverted Gryffindor; an agreeable Hufflepuff; a clever Ravenclaw; or a manipulative Slytherin? How does the 'Dark Triad Dirty Dozen' (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psycopathy) tell us about your sorting? Does the study work for other fandoms such as Divergent Factions, Hunger Games Districts. And so much more.

Also joining the show is a Junior Psychology student from Mary Baldwin College, Sharanya Rao, who is an International student from India.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson42.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:20am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 41: "Light Sabres and Wands"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike mystery detective series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss a Galaxy Far Far Away! An exciting discussion on the film and popular culture phenomenon, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and it's influences both from and to the Harry Potter series. We have two Harry Potter pundits who are also expert in the origins, artistry, and meaning of George Lucas’ Star Wars films. We welcome back Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, professor at Belmont and Lenoir-Rhyne Universities and Emily Strand, with whom we just spoke about Quidditch last month from Mount Carmel College of Nursing. Both have written on The Force Awakens and we’ve asked them to tell us what they can about the overlaps and mutual influences and influencing going on between these epic stories and worlds.

Also joining the show is MuggleNet Staff member and Florida State University Senior Shannen Michaelsen.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson41.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 4:34pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 40: "The Wizarding War was Won on the Quidditch Pitch of Hogwarts"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss the published essay from Harry Potter for Nerds Part II by author Emily Strand titled: "The Second War was Won on the Quidditch Pitch of Hogwarts: Quidditch as a Symbol Set in the Harry Potter Narrative." This discussion reveals the symbolic parallels between the player positions and the characters who act out these roles in the larger story. Additionally, we focus on the literary alchemy found within the Quidditch game itself and how this relates to the overall Hogwarts Saga plot twists and themes.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson40.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:58pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 39: "The Boy Who Lived, All Grown Up"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss a new course that is being held on the University of Maryland titled, "The Boy Who Lived, All Grown Up: Assessing the Harry Potter books and their Adaptations." The Terrapins in Prof. Markey Butler’s course explore the multi-leveled experiences in story adaptation and even propose a new adaptation of the <em>Harry Potter</em> series themselves, not just writing fan-fiction but imagining new categories of fan engagement and adaptation of the original story. Also joining the show is Terrapin student Meg Galuardi from Prof. Markey Butler's class.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson39_Full.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:26pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 38: "The Harry Potter Lexicon - Here and Back Again"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

In this lesson, we discuss The Harry Potter Lexicon, the ultimate resource of facts and information on the Harry Potter series, with the creator and owner Steve Vander Ark. The Lexicon will soon be re-launched with a whole new appearance designed to allow easier and friendlier navigation as well as be mobile friendly. Additionally, we discuss the lawsuit that took place in 2008 in New York City between RDR and JKR, which centered around the book form of the Lexicon.

Also joining the show is Kat Miller, the Creative and Marketing Director for MuggleNet and Host and Co-Creator of the Alohomora podcast.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson38.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 10:15am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 37: “Harry Potter for Nerds Part II - Essays for Lit Geeks”

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter and Cormoran Strike series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today. We also dissect the Cormoran Strike series as the books are being released, helping readers understand and appreciate the writings of the modern-day Dickens, J.K. Rowling.

We continue to examine topics that are present within the NEW academic books that are focused on the literature of the Harry Potter series. Fresh off a fantastic discussion and release of the Ravenclaw Reader and Into the Pensieve, this lesson on MuggleNet Academia focuses on another collection of essays, Harry Potter for Nerds II as presented by Travis Prinzi and Professor Kathryn McDaniel.

In this lesson, the editors of Harry Potter for Nerds II, Prinzi and McDaniel, talk with Keith Hawk and John Granger about Lupin, Twins in Harry Potter, Quidditch, Gothic tropes, Reverse alchemy, Dumbledore’s mom, the White Rose Society, even another look at Squibs.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_37.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:13am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 36: "Violence Against Women Harry Potter"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

We continue to examine topics that are present within the NEW academic books that are focused on the literature of the Harry Potter series. Fresh off a fantastic discussion and release of the Ravenclaw Reader, this lesson on MuggleNet Academia focuses on Chapter 11 from Professor Patrick McCauley's new book Into the Pensieve.

In this lesson, we discuss a key topic and theme that is prevalent throughout the Harry Potter series but has been overlooked in the past...Violence Against the female characters and their repercussions in the magical world. Joining Professor Patrick McCauley on this show is MuggleNet Creative Team Staff Members, Amy Hogan and Lizzie Sudlow.

In this lesson we discuss:

  • Why did J.K. Rowling name her first daughter, Jessica, after Jessica Mitford, a known communist and fascist supporter and author of Hons and Rebels?
  • Rowling's skill of writing to the level of her reader's ages throughout the series.
  • What really happened to the female characters like Katie Bell, Ariana Dumbledore, Lily Potter, Dolores Umbridge, and even Helena Ravenclaw.
  • AND SO MUCH MORE!

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_36.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:21am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 35: "Ravenclaw Reader – Academia from St. Andrews"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

Host Keith Hawk and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson, we discuss the St. Andrews Harry Potter Literature Conference that took place in May of 2012 and the resultant book that is now available for order, Ravenclaw Reader. Ravenclaw Reader features dynamic analysis of the text of Potter from Potter Pundits around the world. Each essay within the book is followed by a peer rebuttal from another pundit. 

This lesson features the two literary professors that not only put the conference together, but were also the key editors for Ravenclaw Reader. Professor John Patrick Pazdziora, who is the Associate Professor of Foreign Languages and Literature at the College of Liberal Arts, Shantou University, in the People's Republic of China. And Father Micah Snell teaches writing and Great Books in the Honors College at Houston Baptist University. Also joining us is Professor Joshua Richards who is an Assistant Professor of English at Williams Baptist College and who presented a masterful piece on why Severus Snape is Harry's Father Figure within the stories.

Get your copy of the Ravenclaw Reader today, available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Ravenclaw-Reader-Artistry-University-Conference/dp/0990882101?tag=mugglenet00-20)

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_35.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 8:51am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 34: "Magick Moste Evile - Harry and the Horrible Horcruxes"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

Host Keith Hawk and co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson, we analyze the time line of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes and Harry's decision to hunt for them versus tackling the task of collecting Hallows. Our discussion is based on a recent piece written by our Guest Professor from Houston Community College, Professor Wayne Stauffer, which you can view on both the MuggleNet website as well as the Hogwarts Professor website. Also joining our show is our student guest, who so happens to also be a college professor in New Hampshire, proud Slytherin Professor Selina Marcille.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson34.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:59pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 33: "JK Rowling's birthday secret - Cormoran Strike and the Invisibility Cloak"

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!! We discuss plot and narrative points within both the "Cuckoo's Calling" and "Silkworm" novels by Robert Galbraith. Please read these amazing novels before listening to this show!

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this very special edition of MuggleNet Academia,we celebrate Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's birthday with a look into the Cormoran Strike mystery novels by Rowling's pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. This program shows the unique comparison between the Potter series and the Doom Bar detective to show why this series is set to take off within the fandom.

Our special guests for this show is a returning favorite speaker, Dolores Gordon-Smith, author of the Jack Haldean mystery novels set in the 1920's of UK, and Professor Karen Kebarle from Algonquin College and La Cité Collègiale in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

We hope you this special birthday edition of MuggleNet Academia. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_33.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 10:08am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 32: "Medieval Motifs in Harry Potter"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson, we unpack the classical and medieval ideas and symbols that are embedded in and across the Hogwarts Saga as shared by Professor Rhonda Dubec of Lakehead University in Ontario Canada. We hope to introduce the real Middle Ages, to explore the symbols, culture, and metaphysics of this time as it finds expression in Hogwarts.

Our student guests for this show are Nadia Mulvihill, an English Literature graduate and English Teacher from upstate New York, and Aaron Schwartz, a classically trained musician and vocal instructor from Southern California.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson32.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:56am EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson, we examine the role of the books mentioned within the books of Harry Potter. Who reads them and who doesn't and what they tell us about the characters; Books that are used as gifts, weapons, and jokes within the Hogwarts Saga; How authors of the  magical books should be understood; and so much more.

We are joined by Hufflepuff extraordinaire, David Martin, who shares with us his MISTI-Con presentation on this very subject. We are also joined by Kelly Orazi and Ariel Taranski as our specially selected student guests.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson31.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 6:21pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In Lesson 30, we are LIVE at Chestnut Hill College for the 3rd Annual Harry Potter Festival with organizers Professor Karen Wendling, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and Professor Patrick McCauley, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy at Chestnut Hill College. Also joining the show is Professor Louise Freeman, Professor of Psychology at Mary Baldwin College, and Undergraduate Student Natasha Lei from MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

We share our days experience and analyze the topics of discussion from John Granger and the guest panelists that took place during the conference. This Academia lesson discussed amazing topics while only touching on the excellence of Day 1 from the Harry Potter Conference at Chestnut Hill College.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: MuggleNet_Lesson_30.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:14am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 29: "Harry Potter and Social Psychology -- Does reading the Hogwarts Saga Make Us Less Prejudiced?"

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson, we examine the research done in the field of Social Psychology by esteemed Professor Loris Vezzali, Department of Education and Human Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Professor Vezzali's main research interest concern prejudice-reduction and improvement of intergroup relations.

Also joining us in this lesson is English major student and Fan Activist, Krysti Meyer, from Weber State University in Utah, United States.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson29.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:23am EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

We dive head first into a political discussion with two very special guest who are published experts on the subject. First is Professor Ben Barton is a Helen and Charles Lockett Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee and author of the brilliant academic journal Harry Potter and the Half-Crazed Bureaucracy. Additionally, Professor Jack Gierzynski who is the Director of the James M. Jeffords Center's Vermont Legislative Research Service and Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont and author of the book Harry Potter and the Millennials.

In this lesson we examine the role of the books and the political outlook as seen in the Ministry of Magic to that which we see in today's society. With emphasis on Libertarians and whether the books lean more left or right or even right or wrong. This lesson will be sure to capture your attention as we look at the small nuances of government in the Wizarding World.

We hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_28.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:01am EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 27: 'Billywigs, Bowtruckles, and Basilisks - Harry Potter's Fantastic Beasts'

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this Lesson, we examine some of the Fantastic Beasts found within the Harry Potter series and other Fantastic Beasts found within the schoolbooks from 2001. Joining us on the show is Dr. Melissa Aaron of California Polytechnic Institute of Pomona, California and Biology/Zoology instructor Jason Crean of Lyons Township High School and St. Xavier University and Aurora University.

We also discuss what we hope to se within the new film series Fantastic Beasts as screenplayed by author J.K. Rowling.

Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_27.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 2:52pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

We look through the entire ‘Harry Potter’ series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this Lesson, we showcase the ‘Harry Potter’ course at Augustana College titled, ‘The Soul of Harry Potter’ with Professor and Pastor Richard Priggie. This course includes an amazing alchemical retreat to a Hogwarts-esque castle in Illinois called Stronghold Castle. Joining the show as our student guest is Fallon Meyer, a Junior at Augustana who enrolled in the class and was a prefect during the retreat.

Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_26.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

We look through the entire ‘Harry Potter’ series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this Lesson, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the famous author, C.S. Lewis’ repose by celebrating his works with emphasis on the ‘Narnia’ series as it compares and contrasts to the ‘Harry Potter’ series. We discuss this lesson’s topic with noted Lewis scholar and Potter Pundit, Professor Elizabeth Baird-Hardy, and special student guest, Eric Scull.

Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson25final.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:52am EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this Lesson, we take a look at the Academic Conference taking place at Chestnut Hill College October 18 - 19. Karen Wendling, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Chestnut Hill College with her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill, and Patrick McCauley, Chestnut Hill Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, PhD University of Iowa, taught the course ‘The Emergence of the Hero in the Epic Voyage’ as part of Chestnut Hill’s innovative Interdisciplinary Honors Program (IDHP). Harry Potter was not so much the subject of the class as it was the capstone – the glorious conclusion to a year of reading Plato, Aristotle, Shelley’s Frankenstein, Wells’ The Island of Dr Moreau, and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In MuggleNet Academia episode 24, Keith and John ask our guest professors about this class, if Harry Potter worked as a foundational text for their Generation Hex students, and the remarkable consequences of the course in the Chestnut Hill community, both the college and the village.

Thank you for listening.

Direct download: Lesson_24.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 2:26am EDT

Join us in our latest Academic Lesson from the world of magic and intrigue created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series. Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. 

This is Lesson 23: 'There and Back Again: Chiasmus, Alchemy, and Ring Composition in Harry Potter.' Hosts Keith Hawk and John Granger are joined with four esteemed special guests, Rochelle Deans, William Sprague, Kelly Kerr, and Steven Lee. Together we discuss the incredible structure formations found with in the Harry Potter book series. Did Rowling base this structure on Tolkien, Lewis, or perhaps even Dante? Or is JKR just a huge Obsessive Compulsive in structure herself? Listen in and find out what we think.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Lesson23.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT

Join us in our latest Academic Lesson from the world of magic and intrigue created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series. Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. 

This is Lesson 22: 'Harry Potter and the Narrative Transformations' with our special guest speaker, Professor Kate Behr from Concordia College and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in New York, hails originally from England and shares her thoughts with John and I and our student guest Danielle Karthauser from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, as she challenges us to re-think how we understand the story being told in light of how the same story is re-told and how we are transformed by the telling and re-telling

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Lesson22.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:25pm EDT

Join us in our latest Academic Lesson from the world of magic and intrigue created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

MuggleNet Academia held our LIVE show as the Keynote Luncheon from the fantastic MISTI-Con Harry Potter fan convention in Laconia, New Hampshire. Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, and Special Guest Speaker Janet Scott Batchler, Professional Screenwriter, Director, and Professor of Writing at the University of Southern California.

In this show, we analyze the Harry Potter book series to the film adaptations. What does it take to adapt a book to screen? Were the Harry Potter films successful at adapting or not? You may be surprised at what parts of the film were done well and which were done poorly. Why did we not win any Oscar awards if this is the most successful movie franchise in history? We give props to Chris Columbus, take questions from the audience, AND SO MUCH MORE!

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Lesson21.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 11:48am EDT

Join us in our latest Academic Lesson from the world of magic and intrigue created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series. Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. 

This is our 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR SHOW as we celebrate not only one year of incredibly rich and educational lessons, but also our 20th amazing show. Join us as we welcome back many of the special guests from the last year as we continue the topics we recorded with some additional materials you may have missed. What would we have liked to discuss that we may have missed? What show would one guest like to have been on with another guest? What fandom experience stood out the most? What future show would they like to hear? AND SO MUCH MORE!

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Episode_20.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:37pm EDT

Join us in our latest Academic Lesson from the world of magic and intrigue created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by Professor Nancy Reagin, Professor of History and women's and gender studies at Pace University, along with this week's two student guests - Elspeth Gordon-Smith, who is a student at University of Glasgow, and Gerardo Alvarez, a History student at Buffalo State. In this week's lesson we show the history of the wizarding world within the 'Harry Potter' series as compared to the symbolic and historical references from the Muggle world. Pull up a butter beer and treacle tart as this was one sweet show.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Lesson19.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:03am EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by Professor Carrie Birmingham, Associated Professor of Education at Pepperdine University, and student guest Letty Nardone, who has earned a Masters degree in Library Science. This show's theme was brought to us by student guest Letty as she send in a request on "the High School experience and Hogwarts" and how we can never shake the High School experiences from our lives.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com. Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Lesson_18.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 9:20am EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by Professor Chris Gavaler from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and student guest Corentin Faniel from the University of St. Andrews. This academic lesson moves at the speed of single bullet as we discuss the correlations of the comic book superhero and whether or not we can see similar characteristics from 'The Boy Who Lived' in the Hogwarts Saga. From trademark makings and costumes, vigilante plot lines, and the traditional orphan status to the Golden and Silver age of the comic book heroes like Superman, Batman, and even…the Klu Klux Klan? Hold on to your broomsticks, this is a high flying and lightening fast show.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Lesson_17.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:22am EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by one of the most highly regarded book critics from the New York Times and author of several fantasy books - Lev Grossman. We are also joined by two student guests including Jessica Jordan from Wesleyan College and Jonathan Brown, a recent graduate from the University of Southampton in the UK. In this lesson we discuss the writings of fantasy books 'The Magician's' and 'The Magician King' from author Lev Grossman as well as an in-depth look at J.K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' novel. Grab your Butterbeer or Firewhiskey and sit back as this is one wild ride!

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Lesson16.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 1:34pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by Carrie-Ann Biondi, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Maymount Manhattan College in New York City. Also joining the show are two of Professor Biondi's students, Ariel Kline and Ashley Feith. In this lesson we discuss particular subjects -- love, death, friendship, punishment, lying, torture, justice, fate versus free will, the meaning of life -- through a philosophical lens, which demonstrates how philosophical tools can help us to appreciate our experience of the Hogwarts Saga more profoundly and intimately. Get your geek on for this wild ride into 'Harry Potter and Philosophy!'

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Lesson15.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 5:35pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show we are joined by the esteemed Travis Prinzi, author of 'Harry Potter & Imagination: The Way Between Two Worlds' and editor of two essays - 'Hog's Head Conversations: Essays on Harry Potter, Volume 1' and 'Harry Potter for Nerds'. Also joining the show is our student guest who graduated from the University of Toronto, Natalie Cooper. We discuss a variety of topics on this lesson including: Where will the Harry Potter world of Academia be in the future, Ring Compositions, comparative discussions between Rowling's Hogwarts Saga and the Tolkien and Dickens works, and how our lives have been affected by the story of the Boy Who Lived. So sit down in the Hogs Head and grab a Butterbeer or Fire Whiskey, as you do not want to miss this conversation.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Lesson14.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 7:32pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the literature of the 'Harry Potter' series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show Associate Professor of Government at Georgetown University, Daniel Nexon, and recent graduate of her Master's Degree from Queen's University in Canada, Kara Szames, join us as we discuss the topic of Political Science and the role of the Government in the 'Harry Potter' series. Are there any analogies between World War II and the Hogwarts Saga? What influence, if any, did the war on Islamist Terror have in Rowling's writing? What political beliefs of Rowling do we see in both 'Harry Potter' and 'The Casual Vacancy'? All of this and so much more. So sit back and tune in your Wizarding Wireless Network for a fascinating discussion about 'Political Science in the Harry Potter Series'

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Academia13.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:57am EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the psychology of various Harry Potter characters.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show Professor of History Katy McDaniel from Marietta University and student guest Abigail Robertson from Bowling Green State University join us as we discuss the topic of Elfin Mystique. Are the House-elves representative of House-wives? Or are they more representative of the American Slavery from pre-civil war? Is Dobby seen as a Christian hero and Extentialist? J.K. Rowling's writing of the House-elves dissects issues of today's modernistic world, and we want to set the record straight. Your in for a treat as we dive deep into the Elfin Mystique of Harry Potter.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com.

Direct download: Lesson12.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:48pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we dive into the psychology of various Harry Potter characters.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show Professor of Psychology Louis Freeman of Mary Baldwin College and student guest and Psychology major Cassandra Dinius of Southern Illinois University Carbondale share their thoughts on the psychological profile of many of our favorite characters. Does Winky suffer from depression? Is Voldemort a Sociopath or a psychopath? What about the issues surrounding Mad-eye Moody and Hermione or the Black Family including a favorite character, Bellatrix? Hop on the couch as a psychological analysis gets under way.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com

Direct download: episode11.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:31pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we share a controversial examination into what exactly constitutes the canon of Harry Potter with Professor John Mark Reynolds.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet is joined with co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor and author of the Deathly Hallows Lectures, as we share insights into the literature series of author J.K. Rowling. On this show John Mark Reynolds from Houston Baptist University and author of 'Chasing Shadows: Back to Barterra' and student guest Alicia Costello from Dickinson, Texas share their viewpoints surrounding the canon of Harry Potter. Is it the seven book series and nothing else? Should the eight movies be considered canon? What about the Trading Cards, Daily Prophelts, Schoolbooks, and Tales of Beedle the Bard that were all created by the author herself? You will enjoy this spitrited show and discussion.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Academialesson10.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 11:29am EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss the comparisons between J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' series to J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series as Fairly Stories.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the 'Harry Potter' series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. In this lesson, we are joined by Dr. Amy Sturgis from Lenoir-Rhyne University and the innovative Mythgard Institute and student guest Amy Staniszewski from the University of Birmingham in the UK. We dive into the legendary fantasy genre of Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' series to determine what, if any, influence it had in the writings of Rowling in the 'Harry Potter' series. We discuss the four gifts of the Fairy Story - Fantasy, Recovery, Escape, and Consolation - to determine if these gifts fit in with the Hogwarts Saga. Did Rowling have a larger influence from Tolkien than she claims? You fill find out our thoughts on this show.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Lesson_9.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:01pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia - Lesson 8: 'Second Sight - Editing the Harry Potter books with Cheryl Klein'

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss what was it like to actually edit the 'Harry Potter' books and the keys to success in the publishing industry of today's market.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the 'Harry Potter' series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. In this lesson, we are joined with Cheryl Klein, who was the continuity editor of the 'Harry Potter' books for Scholastic under Arthur Levine. Cheryl was instrumental in the publishing process for the final three Harry Potter books as well as the schoolbooks. Also joining us on the show is our student guest, Kimmy Saylor, who is a recent graduate from Millersville University and current employee at Random House publishing.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Academia_Lesson_8.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 3:24pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss Folktale Structure as the Key to the Success of the Harry Potter Series.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the Harry Potter series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. In this lesson, we are joined with Arizona State University Professor Joel Hunter and his research student Rita McGlynn to find out if the theories in Folktales and Fairy Tales might be the ultimate reason for the success of Harry Potter. 

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Lesson_7.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT

MuggleNet Lesson 6: LIVE at Ascendio 2012 'Fan Fiction and Copyright Law'

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss how copyright and Fair Use laws affect the world of Fan Fiction.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the Harry Potter series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. In this lesson, we perform a lively discussion Live at Ascendio 2012 with HPF's own Heidi Tandy, who is an Intellectual Property Attorney in the muggle world. 

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Lesson6LiveAscendio.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

Join us in this latest Academic Lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss how the writings of J.K. Rowling compare to to the writing styles of the greatest mystery writers of all time, Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the Harry Potter series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. This lesson, we welcome respected British mystery author of the 'Jack Haldean' novels, Dolores Gordon-Smith, and student guest from the University of Chicago, Sarah Granger. 

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Academia5.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:03pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 4: The Law in the Harry Potter Series

Join us in the latest Academic lesson from the world created by author J.K. Rowling as we discuss how Muggle Law and Wizarding Law compare. We give examples from the story and cite Muggle cases and specific details of the laws in the UK and America as they would apply in the scenario.

Host Keith Hawk from MuggleNet and Co-host John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor, discuss a variety of topics relating to the Harry Potter series with a Special Guest Speaker and a Student Guest Speaker during each lesson. This lesson, we welcome Judge Karen Morris, author of the book 'Law Made Fun Through Harry Potter,' to the show and Lawyer Tim Slattery, who plays the role of our student.

MuggleNet Academia is a podcast from the staff of the World's No. 1 Harry Potter website, MuggleNet.com (http://www.mugglenet.com/).

Direct download: Academia4.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a comprehensive insight into the literary thematic elements and scholastic endeavors that author J.K. Rowling has provided in her writings of the Harry Potter series.

We look through the entire Harry Potter series for various elements in alchemy, literary components, composition attributes, as well as available classes at Universities and Colleges around the world, and various unique studies that are being implemented today.

In this lesson we examine the issues encountered when translating the Harry Potter books into different languages around the world.

Direct download: academialesson3.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 10:35am EDT

MuggleNet Academia is a new section on MuggleNet.com that brings to light some interesting topics of an educational nature including literary compositions, alchemy, and many other topics of conversation. MuggleNet host Keith Hawk and Co-host John Granger, known as The Hogwarts Professor, are joined in each lesson by an expert in the field of discussion as well as a student or graduate student that specializes in the topic.

Direct download: Academialesson2hpsexualinuendo.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 4:51pm EDT

MuggleNet Academia Lesson 1- Getting Serious About Series

A literary discussion on the Harry Potter book series with the staff of MuggleNet and John Granger, the Hogwarts Professor. This week features special guest Professor Suzanne Keen of Washington & Lee University and Rossie Morris, Senior Literature student at Kent University, UK.

In this lesson:

- An introduction to the new podcast

- Reading a series compared to single book novels

- A look at some of the most historical series in literature

- How the Harry Potter series has shaped our lives and chnged our reading habits

- What is it like growing up with Harry Potter from a young age?

All of this and more in the new educational podcast from MuggleNet.

Direct download: MuggleNet_Academia_Lesson_1.mp3
Category:Literature -- posted at: 2:33am EDT

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