Harry Potter and the Class of Awesomeness

[Legend]

Yeah. So most of you offered some sort of advice regarding the Harry Potter class I'd mentioned last year. You know, the one putting together an entire Encyclopedia of the books?

Well, I decided to go for it. I pestered the teacher, Dr. Corrigan, and got as much information as possible regarding the class.

120 people applied to be in the class. He was going to accept only 40. 44, however, were accepted because some of us were ridiculously obnoxious and ended up with reserved seats. I was one of those four.

So, I receive my Hogwarts letter for the Hogwarts Colonial School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (IE: the American branch of Hogwarts) and the details on what needs to be purchased for the class, activity fees, etc. 42.50 for our house shirts as well as some of us will have to purchase the british versions of the books, we'll be seeing the movie several times, we all get a souvenir at the end, wands, etc etc etc. 42.50 really doesn't seem like much after that.

I started re-reading the first book (though, with it getting towards the final few weeks of class it's tough to find the opportunity to read it).

And today we had our Sorting Ceremony. We met in the Great Hall (yes, the University has a Great Hall, above the student center with the cyber cafe and all that jazz) and were each given our houses via randomly drawing marbles out of the Sorting Hat.

...from what I gather, it was actually an incredibly effective method, given most of those I've talked to agree we were sorted correctly. I'm a Hufflepuff, for those curious. Not surprising at all, really, though Ravenclaw's always been my favourite, I know I'm not smart enough for that. ^_^

At any rate, we were also given even more information about the class. Some stuff I knew, some stuff I did not, but I thought I'd share it all with you so that I could spur as much jealousy as possible ^_-

We will be playing Quidditch. Dr. Corrigan actually created his own version of Quidditch involving frisbees, a yellow bouncy ball, black dodgeballs, foam bats, etc etc. We will be -filmed- playing Quidditch, and at the end of the semester, some of us will be given the opportunity to go around the country teaching elementary and middle schools how to play Quidditch.

We will be earning House points. There is a prize for the House with the most points at the end of the semester as well.

We were sorted into different scholarly groups as well as houses. My group is called the Animagi, and we're working with transfigurations...as in, the transfiguration of the British versions of the novel into the American versions, the American versions into movies, that sort of thing. We will be seeing the new movie, the teacher assured us, at least four or five times after it comes out. This is paid for by the class fees.

There are four other groups, Dumbledore's Army, The House Ghosts, The Order of the Phoenix, and the Aurors. These each have other various missions. The OotP is basically the cheerleaders, editors, and general putting-and-keeping-everything-together group. Dumbledore's Army is the biggest group and will be essentially just compiling -everything-. The House Ghosts are supposed to create a physical image of everything. And I can't remember exactly, but I know the Aurors are doing something with Legends and all that jazz.

There's also a trip to London planned at the end of the summer. It's more of a vacation than a school thing. It'll be for about a week, and I believe they're going to be centralized around Dr. Corrigan's second home there, but from what I gather they can do just about whatever they want after they get off the plane.

I think that's all I can remember for now, but needless to say I am -super- excited and geeked out. This is going to be a summer to remember, to say the least!

[Ming]

This sounds like the COOLEST class EVER!

[ScrumYummy]

ZOMG

Questions:
-Do you get a grade for this that will affect your GPA?
-Will this be on your transcript?

[Shino]

[Legend]

This does give me a grade on my GPA, yes. There will be presentations and stuff, I don't know if there'll be tests, as that wouldn't really make much sense. The presentations and level/quality of work will probably be how he judges the grade.

Yes, this will be on my transcript. And furthermore, my name will be published in the Encyclopedia along with the names of everyone else in the class and otherwise contributing (I assume with that last that the faculty who are also contributing will get their names mentioned as well, though it hasn't been said)

This will look fantastic on my resume, I think, and I will have a blast. This is already shaping up to be the best summer -ever-, including the possible trip to China next summer.

[ScrumYummy]

That is more awesome than awesome. Congrats, Crys! <3 And best of luck. That's going to look amazing on your transcript/resume. XD

[FawkesFyre]

This sounds like a blast!

And yes, I am SO jealous! We never did anything like this where I went...

[Keslyn]

Oh yay!!! I'm glad you decided to take it!! Lol, I'm green with envy! >.< It sounds like a LOT of work, but it sounds like it would be sooooo much fun at the same time! ^.^ You're so lucky!

And, you get to play Quidditch!!! Hee hee. ^.^ That sounds amazing!

[RivaOni]

Hmmm, I knew about the difference in title between the US and UK version of Philosopher's Stone (it's Sorcerers over there right?) but didn't know there were any other differences. Is this Encyclopedia getting a decent distribution? And if so, does the course leader have permission from the publishers of the Harry Potter books/J.K. Rowling?

Sounds like a fun course to be on though, nothing like this tends to be done in this country. Oh, and TBH, london's not all that

[Silver Adept]

Awesome! The class sounds like it would be great, but also a lot of work. Hopefully everyone can keep up with things.