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EspañolHOGWARTS SUBJECTS
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a fictional school of magic that is the main setting of the ''Harry Potter'' novels by J. K. Rowling. Throughout the series, numerous lessons are described, instructing the students in various branches of magic. There are twelve named teachers (referred to as "Professor ''X''"), each specialising in a single subject. Some subjects are compulsory, while others are optional. In ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'', students are required to add at least two optional subjects to their syllabus for the start of the third year. ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' describes the Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L) exams that are taken by students at the end of their fifth year, at which point they decide which classes to continue to the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T) level for the final two years at Hogwarts.
Twelve subjects are named in the books. In the first print run of ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', however, Hermione Granger gains 11 O.W.L.s despite having dropped two of the named subjects at the end of ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban''; this mistake was corrected in subsequent printings[1].
Core curriculum
There are seven compulsory subjects mentioned in the first six Harry Potter books that Hogwarts students must take for the first five years of their studies. Once they have taken O.W.L. exams they may, depending on choice and their O.W.L. grades, be continued at N.E.W.T. level.
Transfiguration
'Transfiguration' is the first subject explicitly explained in ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', where Hermione Granger describes it as "changing something into something else". Transfiguration is essentially the art of changing the properties of an object[2]. Transfiguration lessons are shown throughout the series, including topics such as "Switching Spells" (altering only a part of some object, such as giving a human rabbit's ears); Vanishing Spells (causing an object to completely disappear); and Conjuring Spells (creating objects out of thin air). It is possible to change inanimate objects into animate ones and vice versa - Professor McGonagall transfigures her desk into a pig in ''The Philosopher's Stone''.
Transfiguration is a theory-based subject, involving very complicated notes as well as practical work. The only Transfiguration theory that is ever explicitly stated is "Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration". This law, about which nothing is known, has five Principal Exceptions, one of which is food; this means that food (unlike the many other objects conjured throughout the Harry Potter books including sleeping bags, goblets and chairs) cannot be produced out of thin air. Food can be moved from one place to another by magic, changed or increased in quantity, but not created out of nothing.
Throughout Harry's time at Hogwarts, Transfiguration is taught by Minerva McGonagall. Albus Dumbledore is known to have taught the subject before he became headmaster, including during Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts.
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Commonly shortened to 'D.A.D.A.', this class teaches defensive techniques to block spells, charms, curses, hexes and jinxes cast by other wizards, counteract the Dark Arts, and to protect from Dark creatures.
The subject has an extraordinarily high turnover of staff members - throughout the series no Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher has remained at Hogwarts for more than one school year. It is suggested by Rubeus Hagrid in ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'' that "They're startin' ter[sic] think the job's jinxed. No one's lasted long for a while now." In ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', Albus Dumbledore suggests that Voldemort cursed the position. The existence of the jinx was eventually confirmed by Rowling[3]. The position has been coveted by several Dark Wizards including Voldemort and Severus Snape. Both were denied the position. When J. K. Rowling was asked the reason Dumbledore would not give Snape the job, she replied that Dumbledore believed that teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts would bring out Snape's worst side[4]. Snape was finally appointed D.A.D.A. professor in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The regular turnover of D.A.D.A. professors led to considerable fan speculation prior to the release of the fifth, sixth and seventh books. Each of the D.A.D.A. teachers turned out to follow a similar pattern: each (with the exception of Snape) was an entirely new character; each was chosen out of necessity, due to the loss of the previous instructor and the absence of other applicants; each meets Harry before he or she arrives at Hogwarts at the start of term, and each physically or magically attacks Harry before the end of the school year.
J.K. Rowling announced in an interview that once Voldemort had died, the jinx he placed on the office was lifted and a permanent professor had been teaching the subject between the end of ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'' and the epilogue, set 19 years afterwards. Furthermore, she imagines that Harry Potter occasionally comes to the class to give lectures on the subject[5].
List of Defence Against the Dark Arts professors
★ Galatea Merrythought (teaching period unknown)
:Employed some fifty years prior to the ''Harry Potter'' series.
★ Quirinus Quirrell (''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'') (1991-1992)
:Turned out to be posessed by Lord Voldemort; died after Voldemort left his body.
★ Gilderoy Lockhart (''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'') (1992-1993)
:Forced to resign after being hit by a backfiring Memory Charm and partially losing his memory.
★ Remus Lupin (''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'') (1993-1994)
:Resigned after being revealed as a werewolf, out of fears that parents would not accept a werewolf as a Hogwarts teacher.
★ Barty Crouch Jr disguised as Alastor Moody (''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'') (1994-1995)
:Moody, a retired Auror with the Ministry of Magic, was brought out of retirement to replace Lupin at Hogwarts. When revealed as an impostor, Crouch received the Dementor's Kiss.
★ Dolores Umbridge (''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'') (1995-1996)
:Assigned to the position acting as an agent for the Ministry of Magic. Removed from Hogwarts after Voldemort and his Death Eaters attacked at the Ministry of Magic, convincing Cornelius Fudge that he had returned to power.
★ Severus Snape (''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'') (1996-1997)
:Snape assumed the post of D.A.D.A. instructor, and was replaced as Potions Master by Horace Slughorn. Fled the school after the first Battle of Hogwarts, and was not expected to return. He was later installed as Headmaster by Voldemort and so did not return to the D.A.D.A. post.
★ Amycus Carrow (''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'') (1997-1998)
:Appointed on Voldemort's orders, and taught not Defensive magic, but the Dark Arts themselves. Overpowered by Harry in the Ravenclaw common room near the end of the book, and presumably returned to Azkaban.
Charms
If Transfiguration involves changing the properties of an object, Rowling has described Charms as a type of magic spell concerned with giving an object new and unexpected properties2. Charms classes at Hogwarts are described as notoriously noisy and chaotic, as the lessons are largely practical. Many of the exposition sequences in the Harry Potter books are set in Charms classes.
Notable charms in the books include the complementary Summoning and Banishing Charms, the Hover Charm and Shield Charm. Some Charms can be extremely powerful. The Fidelius Charm is cast in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' and ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'' to completely conceal a location from the Death Eaters.
Charms is taught throughout Harry's time at Hogwarts by Filius Flitwick, who is rumoured to be a former dueling champion.
Potions
Potions is described as the art of creating mixtures with magical effects. In contrast to most other subjects taught at Hogwarts, Potions requires few incantations. Instead, it requires the correct mixing and stiring of ingredients at the right times and temperatures. As to the question of whether a Muggle could brew a potion, given the correct magical ingredients, JK Rowling has said, "Potions seems, on the face of it, to be the most Muggle-friendly subject. But there does come a point in which you need do more than stir." [6]
Severus Snape serves as Potions master from ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' to the end of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''. Snape's lessons are depicted as unhappy, oppressing times set in a gloomy dungeon in the basement of the castle. Though exceptional at his subject, Snape is partisan towards Slytherin students, taking pleasure in humiliating other pupils such as Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter at every opportunity. Rowling has said that "Snape is... loosely based on a teacher I myself had... I think children are very aware and we are kidding ourselves if we don't think that they are, that teachers do sometimes abuse their power and this particular teacher does abuse his power."[7]
McGonagall tells Harry in ''Order of the Phoenix'' that Potions is an important subject to take at N.E.W.T. level if he wishes to be an Auror. Harry feared that he could not become an Auror because Snape would not allow anyone to continue to N.E.W.T. level Potions without getting an "Outstanding" on their O.W.L. However, in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', Horace Slughorn replaces Snape as Potions instructor, and permits Harry to take the class with an "Exceeds Expectations" O.W.L.
Astronomy
Astronomy is the only field of study at Hogwarts which has a direct equivalent in the Muggle world. Astronomy classes take place in the Astronomy Tower, the tallest tower in Hogwarts, every Wednesday night at midnight. The Astronomy Tower is also the setting for the climax of ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''. Lessons involve observations of the night skies with telescopes. Each student must have their own telescope, as it is on the initial kit list delivered to Harry in ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''.
No Astronomy lesson, or even a fragment of one, is ever depicted in the novels. Known student homework activities include learning the names of stars, constellations and planets, as well as their location and movements, and describing the environments of planets and moons.
In ''The Philosopher's Stone'', Harry has to memorise the names of Jupiter's moons; in his fifth year, he studies them again; one exposition scene takes place whilst he writes an essay containing facts such as Europa being covered by ice (at first he accidentally writes "mice"), and Io having many volcanos. In the Astronomy O.W.L. exams in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', the class is directed to fill in a star chart, but is distracted by Umbridge attempting to attack Rubeus Hagrid.
Throughout the Harry Potter series, Astronomy is taught by Professor Aurora Sinistra.
History of Magic
The study of magical history. History of Magic lessons are shown in each of the first six books, although rarely in any useful capacity. Instead the lessons are depicted as some of the most boring at Hogwarts: "The most exciting thing that ever happened in class was [Binns] entering the room through the blackboard". The History of Magic teacher, Cuthbert Binns, is the only ghost teacher, extremely set in his ways. As Harry describes in ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', according to Hogwarts folklore, he has failed to notice that he is dead: he "simply got up from his chair in the staff-room one morning and left his body behind". The only time Harry is shown to have learnt anything useful in History of Magic is when Binns is persuaded to describe the Chamber of Secrets in the second book
Binns' lessons consist of him reciting ("droning") and dictating notes to his students. He does not appear to mind (or notice) that the class rarely pays attention - indeed Binns is depicted as almost as disinterested in his students as they are of his class. Testament to her described academic prowess, Hermione Granger alone "seem[s] able to resist the soporific power of Binns' voice".
Herbology
The study of magical plants and how to take care of, utilize and/or combat them. Herbology lessons are shown in each of the first six books. Being located in greenhouses on the grounds, trips to and from Herbology lessons are written to depict the weather at the time. There are at least three greenhouses described in the books, holding a variety of magical plants of varying degrees of lethality, including mandrakes, bubotubers and Snargaluff pods.
The subject is depicted as closely related to Potions, due to the nature of the plants, many of which are cultivated for the purpose of extracting useful ingredients. Throughout the series, Herbology is taught by Pomona Sprout.
Herbology is also the only subject in which Neville Longbottom excels; it is explained in the epilogue to ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'' that he later becomes the Herbology teacher.
Optional subjects
Students must select at least two optional subjects in their third year, which they continue to O.W.L. level. They may then elect to continue some of these subjects to N.E.W.T. level.
None of the teachers described for these subjects occupy any other significant pastoral roles in the Harry Potter series, save for Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts.
Arithmancy
Arithmancy is a branch of magic concerned with the magical properties of numbers. As this class is taken neither by Harry Potter, nor by Ron Weasley, almost nothing is known about it. It is, however, a favourite subject of Hermione Granger. Throughout the Harry Potter series Arithmancy is taught by Septima Vector.
The only information known about Arithmancy is that it is very difficult, requires memorizing or working with large number charts, and runs parallel to Divination lessons at Hogwarts. It is stated in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' that a N.E.W.T. in Arithmancy is required to become a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts.
Ancient Runes
 |  |
| The two Old Norse runes Ehwaz and Eihwaz. | |
A mostly theoretical subject that studies the ancient runic scripts. It is studied by Hermione Granger but not by Harry, so little else is known about this subject. It is the most seldom mentioned in both the novels and the films: only two words and their English translations are known (''ehwaz'', meaning "partnership" and ''eihwaz'', meaning "defence"). Hermione mixes these two words up on her Ancient Runes O.W.L. exam in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix''. These two words are Old Norse Runes from the Futhark; it is likely that the students learned the rest.
The name of the Ancient Runes professor is never given in the books or films. JK Rowling has named him as Bathsheda Babbling [8]
Divination
Divination is the art of predicting the future. Various methods are described, including crystal balls, palmistry, tea leaves, cartomancy (including the reading of playing cards and the Tarot) , astrology, and the interpretation of dreams. In ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', Dolores Umbridge also tests the Divination teacher, Sybill Trelawney, at her skills in ornithomancy, heptomology and the interpretation of rune stones .
Divination is described as "one of the most imprecise branches of magic". Supporters of the subject claim that it is an inexact science that requires innate gifts. Those opposed claim that the subject is irrelevant and fraudulent. Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore are described as skeptical of Divination's provenance - in ''The Order of the Phoenix'' Dumbledore claims he was once on the verge of dropping it from the curriculum. However, he was forced to continue the subject to protect Sybill Trelawney from the Death Eaters. Trelawney is introduced as Divination teacher in ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'' and remains in the post for ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' and the beginning of ''The Order of the Phoenix''. When she is fired by Dolores Umbridge she is replaced by Firenze. As Dumbledore explains that he could not remove either teacher at the end of ''The Order of the Phoenix'', both continue teaching in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince''.
Care of Magical Creatures
Learning about and how to care for magical beasts. Classes are held outside the castle.
Although not stated in ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'', an ageing Professor Kettleburn had taught Care of Magical Creatures for Harry's first two years at Hogwarts. At the start of ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'', it is announced that Kettleburn has retired to "enjoy more time with his remaining limbs", and Rubeus Hagrid is appointed to replace him. During Hagrid's two absences later in the series, in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' and the beginning of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', lessons are covered by Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank. Although very experienced and knowledgeable of magical creatures, Hagrid's lessons are usually depicted as chaotic if not outright dangerous, as Hagrid is consistently unable to judge the safety of the animals around which his lessons are based.
Notable Care of Magical Creatures lessons in the Harry Potter series have included Hippogriffs (where Draco Malfoy was attacked by one, though had he followed Hagrid's instructions, he certainly would not have been), Thestrals, Unicorns, and Blast-Ended Skrewts.
Care of Magical Creatures classes are depicted only in ''The Prisoner of Azkaban'', ''The Goblet of Fire'' and ''The Order of the Phoenix'', as Harry, Ron, and Hermione drop this subject in their sixth year, for reasons unrelated to Hagrid's teaching methods.
Muggle Studies
This course involves the study of Muggles "from a wizarding point of view". Wizards and witches need to learn about Muggle ways and means, if only to ensure they are able to avoid them or blend in. As the class is taken only by Hermione Granger, and only for one year (''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban''), little is known about its curriculum. Canonical examples of topics include "Why Muggles Need Electricity", and diagrams of muggles lifting heavy objects. Percy Weasley says in ''The Chamber of Secrets'' that "People say Muggle Studies is a soft option, but I think it's important for wizards to have an understanding of the non-magical community"
Through the first six ''Harry Potter'' books the class is taught by Professor Charity Burbage. JK Rowling has said that Burbage replaced Professor Quirrell, who taught the subject before moving to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts in Harry's first year. In the opening chapter of the final book, ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'', Professor Burbage is murdered by Lord Voldemort because she portrays Muggles in a positive light and is opposed to limiting wizardry to only people of pure-blood origins. For the remainder of the academic year covered by ''The Deathly Hallows'', the Death Eater Alecto Carrow teaches Muggle Studies. However, her "lessons" (which are made compulsory) mainly describe Muggles and Muggle-borns as subhuman and worthy of persecution.
Flying
The use of enchanted broomsticks is taught in these lessons. Only one flying lesson is depicted in the series (in ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone''). That class is taught by Rolanda Hooch. Hooch also acts as referee for every Hogwarts Quidditch match described in the books, save the Hufflepuff-Gryffindor match in ''The Philosopher's Stone'', that is refereed by Severus Snape.
Apparition
A "Ministry of Magic Apparition Instructor" offers lessons in Apparition in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'', at an extra cost to students of 12 Galleons. Apparition, the art of magically disappearing from one place and reappearing in another, requires a license and may only be legally performed by people over 17 years of age. A close parallel in the real world is the Driving license required to drive a motor vehicle. The described reason for the restriction is that Apparition is dangerous if done improperly: body parts can be left behind in an unfortunate side-effect known as "splinching". In ''The Half-Blood Prince'' Ron Weasley is said to have failed his first Apparition test after leaving behind half an eyebrow. A more serious incident occurred previously when Susan Bones splinched during Apparition lessons, losing a leg. Several other students also splinch themselves during the lessons.
Although, as Hermione points out innumerable times throughout the series, magical enchantments on Hogwarts castle and grounds prohibit Apparition and Disapparition inside the castle, it is explained in ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'' that these protections are temporarily relaxed for short periods to permit students to practice Apparition.
References
1. http://www.hp-lexicon.org/about/books/hbp/changes_hbp.html
2. http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/1998/1298-herald-simpson.html
3. http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0726-today-vieira1.html
4. [1]
5. Stop your sobbing! More Potter to come Jen Brown
6. [2]
7. [3]
8. J. K. Rowling's site
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