I'm sure I had another plan for the day

[beccaelizabeth]

but now I'm apparently full of outrage at the ridiculously thin curriculum Hogwarts offers
and scheming how to get more of the national curriculum to the poor sods involved

I'm not saying a decent appreciation of English Literature would solve all their Dark problems
but I am saying that a systematic education in the poisons of prejudice and ideology would in fact make a difference.

I suspect that, given the tendency to accidental magic in childhood, a full magical curriculum is urgently necessary.

But it doesn't do a hell of a lot to help them figure out how to be human beings
let alone human beings in a mixed species world
and the results speak for themselves.

... yes I am aware this is a ridiculous thing to have feelings about, but I am apparently having them...

Comments

[baronjanus]

Decent muggle history wouldn't hurt. So they know the world they live in.

(I come from a country where there are several separate education systems, and a decades-long "debate" on basic curriculum requirements; at least in the Potterverse magic has actual reality to it, while religious studies basically teach you how to do more religious studies)

[beccaelizabeth]

oh yes. too much superstition on both sides makes messes.

*nods*

our RE teacher in high school talked to us in 'tongues' sometimes.
I don't remember what we were supposed to be learning at the time...

[baronjanus]

I would like to hear more about that, if you would like to share?

[beccaelizabeth]

That's pretty much the whole story.
It was at least 25 years ago.

[baronjanus]

Speaking in actual other languages? Frighteningly yelling gibberish? Making some theatrical point? I just wonder about the visual place

[beccaelizabeth]

hmm, being a bit shy, standing rocking, talking funny noises he reckoned were inspired by god
i think
very vague memory

[baronjanus]

Well it sounds very strange and vague indeed
Unless recognized mental disorder or coping mechanism of some sort
Let's just say it's interesting

[anne_d]

I think you're right. Even specialized colleges like Caltech require some grounding in the humanities, so why not Hogwarts? Otherwise, they're never going to be able to function in the real world.

[beccaelizabeth]

I could get plot out of wondering if making them not function in the real world was the point. but yeah.

[anne_d]

I suspect it was more of an elitist thing - We Are Wizards, Ours is a High and Lonely Destiny, we don't need no stinkin' practical stuff, that's what servants are for.

Which makes me wonder about the US version - going by Fantastic Beasts, there seemed to be less of a class hierarchy among the wizards/witches,and at least some of them were living in the non-magic world. Or at least what there was, was rapidly falling apart. I doubt we'll get any discussion of that from Rowlings, though, she's pretty well steeped in the British class system.

[conuly]

You are not the first nor only one to worry about this.

[beccaelizabeth]

It is Concerning