The magical world of Harry Potter is filled with concepts of philosophy, morality and the balance of good and evil, and this course takes students through all these key elements.
If you're curious about philosophy, morality and the balance of good and evil, and especially if you're looking to dive further into the magical world of the Harry Potter series, then this is the perfect course for you! Through working analytically and practically, this programme explores the philosophy behind one of the most all-encompassing fantasy series ever written and the enduring questions that can be asked of the text. Is Harry a 'good' character? Does Dumbledore prioritise the utilitarian 'Greater Good'? Can we truly admonish Voldemort's desire to split 'his soul' and where does that leave the ever-curious and hopefully moral reader? This course is open equally to philosophy students and Harry Potter fanatics alike, with much discussion and debate taking place during lessons.
Course Content
10 LESSONS
10 HOURS Total Length
Lesson 1
What Is Evil?: Voldemort, Volition and Virtue Theory
60 minutes
Lesson 2
If Voldemort Is Evil, Is Harry Then Good?
60 minutes
Lesson 3
The Mirror of Erased and Existential Despair
60 minutes
Lesson 4
Death, Duty and Dumbledore
60 minutes
Lesson 5
Obligation and Friendship: Aristotle, Kant and Morality
60 minutes
Lesson 6
Splitting 'The Soul' and the Philosophy of Mind
60 minutes
Lesson 7
Decisions, Actions and Moral Questions
60 minutes
Lesson 8
'The Boy Who Lived… Come to Die'
60 minutes
Lesson 9
Plato's Cave and Harry's Train Station
60 minutes
Lesson 10
Love, the Human Condition and Ending
60 minutes
Key Skills
Philosophical Thinking
Literary Texts
Close Reading
Philosophical Concepts
Educator
Sam E
English and Drama Educator
Sam is an actor and private Educator with a master's and first-class honours degrees from the University of Manchester and a master's in acting from one of the UK's leading drama schools.
