Hogwarts subjects
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The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a fictional magic school that is the main setting of the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling. There are several teachers (called professors), each specialising in a single subject. Some subjects are compulsory, while others are optional. Students are required to add at least two optional subjects to their syllabus beginning in their third year. After taking their Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) exams at the end of their fifth year, they decide which classes to continue to the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T) level for the next two years at Hogwarts.
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[edit] Core curriculum
These are compulsory subjects that Hogwarts students must take until, but not including N.E.W.T. level.
[edit] Transfiguration
The art of metamorphosis, Transfiguration is the changing of the form and appearance of an object, the conjuring and creation of objects, and the vanishing of objects. This is generally achieved through concentration, the precise waving of the wand and speaking the appropriate incantation. One of the trickier subjects, it requires great concentration and effort. The art of reversing Transfiguration is called Untransfiguration. Transfiguration is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of a N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.
Albus Dumbledore served as Transfiguration teacher before he became Headmaster. The most recent Transfiguration teacher, throughout the first six Harry Potter books, has been Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall: a competent teacher and a stern but fair disciplinarian. Due to her assuming the post of Headmistress of Hogwarts, however, she may be unable to continue in her role as teacher, but may follow the example of Dolores Umbridge and perform both duties.
[edit] Defence Against the Dark Arts
Also known as 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 magical beasts and creatures such as the Boggart. Defence Against the Dark Arts is taught to Hogwarts students from the first year to the fifth, with the option of N.E.W.T. classes in the sixth and seventh years for students who qualify.
Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort twice applied for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position, the first time shortly after graduation from Hogwarts. He was refused both times. According to Dumbledore, after the second refusal, no Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher remained at Hogwarts for more than one school year. Dumbledore believed that this was due to Voldemort placing a curse on the position.
When he first came to Hogwarts as a teacher, Severus Snape applied to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Dumbledore refused, and instead offered Snape the position as Potions Master, which he accepted. As D.A.D.A. teachers left the school, Snape regularly reapplied for the position, and was denied each time, in what Snape assumed was Dumbledore's fear of his relapsing as a Death Eater. When J. K. Rowling was asked for the reason Dumbledore would not give Snape the job, the author responded that Dumbledore believed that teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts would bring out Snape's worst side, though Dumbledore finally relented in Harry's sixth year. [1]
As D.A.D.A. teachers came and went at Hogwarts, it produced inconsistent learning from year to year, as the quality and style of teaching varied widely from teacher to teacher.
By the time Harry Potter came to Hogwarts, belief in a jinx had taken hold on the outside, and new teachers became difficult to recruit for the position. Gilderoy Lockhart was said to be the only applicant to replace Quirinus Quirrell. Three years later, belief in the jinx was so widespread that Dumbledore was unable to find a new teacher, and the Ministry of Magic appointed Dolores Umbridge to the job. After Umbridge was removed for her abusive nature, Dumbledore finally gave Snape the position.
Each of the D.A.D.A. teachers in the first six books followed 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 arrives at Hogwarts in the respective year (with the exception of Mad Eye Moody who was only mentioned in passing), and each physically (or magically) attacks Harry during school term, either intentionally, or accidentally as in the case of Remus Lupin.
[edit] List of D.A.D.A. Professors
Notably, there is a pattern to the fates of four of the Professors: The First (Quirininus Quirrell, but possessed by Voldemort) and Fourth ('Alastor Moody', but in reality Barty Crouch) DADA Professors, both secretly in the service of Voldemort, perished in Voldemort's service whilst working at Hogwarts; the Second (Gilderoy Lockhart) and Fifth (Dolores Umbridge) DADA Professors both suffered harm as a result of their machinations at the school, but did not die. This pattern does not appear to have continued with the Third (Remus Lupin) and Sixth (Severus Snape): although both left voluntarily and without injury, where Lupin was a firm supporter of Dumbledore, Severus Snape at this point is not (although this pattern is used as evidence by theorists that Snape is 'truly' on the side of the Order of the Phoenix).
Defence Against the Dark Arts instructors have included:
- Employed some fifty years prior to the Harry Potter series. Lord Voldemort sought unsuccessfully to succeed Professor Merrythought in the post.
- After his first year as DADA teacher at Hogwarts, Quirrell travelled throughout Europe for a full term. In his second year, he received little respect from students for his stuttering and jittery behavior, supposedly from encountering vampires somewhere in Romania. He was killed at the end of the term after attacking Harry, sustaining excruciating pain while supporting the fragmented soul of Lord Voldemort in his own body.
- Lockhart's tenure ended when he attempted to attack Harry Potter and Ron Weasley outside the Chamber of Secrets, and was hit by a backfiring Memory Charm from Ron's malfunctioning wand. Lockhart was admitted to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries with amnesia. Lockhart was regarded by the students and teachers largely as a joke and the majority of the school was elated to see him go.
- Lupin resigned after being revealed as a werewolf, out of fears that the parents of the students would not accept a werewolf as a Hogwarts teacher. Nevertheless, Lupin was enormously popular with the students and teachers, widely regarded as an effective, competent, and fair instructor and perhaps the best Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Severus Snape stood in for Lupin as D.A.D.A. instructor on a monthly basis during the school year.
- Moody, a retired Auror with the Ministry of Magic, was brought out of retirement to replace Lupin at Hogwarts, and keep a protective eye on Harry Potter. As an Auror, Moody possessed many special magical devices, including a Sneakoscope, Secrecy Sensor, Foe-Glass and other Dark detectors. He later turned out to be an impostor – Barty Crouch Jr. in disguise – having abducted the real Alastor Moody shortly before the school term began, using Polyjuice Potion to take on Moody's appearance. Crouch (as Moody) was nonetheless highly effective, teaching the students true defensive skills and actively demonstrating the power of the Dark Arts. After the discovery of Crouch's secret, Moody was released from captivity and returned to retirement; while Barty Crouch Jr., as an escaped prisoner from Azkaban, received the Dementor's Kiss. An interesting thing to note about Moody's reign as teacher was that he briefly mentioned that he was only hired for the year anyway; whether this was truly the case or whether Crouch was lying at the time is left ambiguous.
- Umbridge was assigned to the position acting as an agent for the Ministry of Magic, and was later named High Inquisitor as the Ministry worked to gain control of Hogwarts. As D.A.D.A. instructor, Umbridge taught only theoretical aspects of defence and topics like conflict avoidance and fleeing, in stark contrast to practical combat and resistance teachings of the previous two D.A.D.A. instructors. During Umbridge's tenure, Harry, along with Ron and Hermione Granger, provided clandestine D.A.D.A. instruction for their fellow students, based in part on some of the experiences Harry gained in his conflicts with Voldemort and others. They formed Dumbledore's Army, a secret club dedicated to training interested students in the practical elements of wizarding combat that Umbridge refused to teach. Umbridge was known to impose harsh punishments on Harry during her term, such as writing lines in his own blood during detention, as a way of forcing Harry to renounce his belief that Voldemort had returned to power. She challenged Dumbledore for his position as Headmaster, due to his support for Harry. Umbridge was removed from Hogwarts after Voldemort and his Death Eaters attacked at the Ministry of Magic, which proved that he had returned to power; and also proved the need for practical D.A.D.A. instruction for Hogwarts students.
- Snape assumed the post of D.A.D.A. instructor, unexpectedly by most of the students, and was replaced as Potions Master by Horace Slughorn. Little is said about Snape's tenure as D.A.D.A instructor (seemed to focus on non-verbal spells), other than that he was also looking after Draco Malfoy, who was acting enigmatically, for much of the term. He and Malfoy fled the school after the Battle of Hogwarts, during which Snape killed Albus Dumbledore, and are not expected to return. After the Death Eaters' attack on Hogwarts, it is unclear if there even will be a school year in the final book, so Snape may or may not have been the last D.A.D.A. instructor.
[edit] Charms
The manipulation of objects and creation of phenomena by means of the precise waving of the wand and the speaking of appropriate incantations. This class is one of the most disruptive, because most charms have an effect that can cause a distraction when done correctly, and an even larger distraction when misfired or used incorrectly. Charms is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of N.E.W.T. courses in the sixth and seventh years.
Filius Flitwick is the current Charms teacher. J. K. Rowling has said that if she were to teach at Hogwarts, she would teach Charms because "With Charms there would be a little more leeway for a little more personal creativity." [2]
[edit] Potions
The art of creating potions with magical effects. The process is delicate and instructions must be followed exactly in order to achieve the desired result. Potions is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.
Severus Snape was the Potions master from books one to five, although he coveted the Defence Against the Dark Arts job throughout that time. Though exceptional at his subject, he was not the fairest disciplinarian, taking pleasure in humiliating students such as Neville Longbottom (for his incompetence in potion-making) and Harry Potter (for personal reasons regarding Harry's father, James Potter) at every opportunity he gets. Rowling herself has said, "Snape is a very sadistic teacher, loosely based on a teacher I myself had, I have to say. 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." [3] Students of Snape's house (Slytherin) often like his classes, while those of other houses end up intimidated or angry.
One Potions master before Snape was Horace Slughorn, who had held that position for a long time; his students included Tom Riddle, Lily Evans, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Snape himself. When Snape became the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Slughorn was persuaded to come out of retirement and take up his old position. Slughorn shows favouritism to those who are famous or show potential for fame, or who are connected to famous people.
It is a final course advancement for the N.E.W.T. level. 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 Advanced Potion Making is mandatory for becoming one and Snape wouldn't let anyone take the class without getting an "Outstanding" on their O.W.L. However, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Horace Slughorn becomes the Hogwarts Potions instructor, and he permits Harry to take the class with an "Exceeds Expectations" O.W.L.
Post-Half-Blood Prince, it is possible that Slughorn will retain his role as Potions master, and resume that of Head of Slytherin. Minerva McGonagall temporarily re-appointed him to his old position in the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts.
[edit] Astronomy
Astronomy is the only field of study at Hogwarts which has a direct equivalent in the Muggle world. However, Hogwarts astronomy seems to be mostly concerned with the nomenclature of planets and stars, which makes it similar to astrology. Known student activities include learning the names of stars, constellations and planets, as well as their location and movements.
Astronomy classes take place in the Astronomy Tower, the tallest tower in Hogwarts, every Wednesday and include sky observation sessions with telescopes (each student has to buy one of his/her own). Astronomy is a compulsory subject taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.
For example, in his first year, Harry Potter has to memorise the names of Jupiter's moons; in his fifth year, he's at them again, writing an essay containing facts such as Europa being covered by ice (at first he accidentally writes mice), and Io having many volcanos. For their Astronomy O.W.L. exam in their fifth year, each student has to "fill in a blank star chart" based on a few hours of observing the night sky.
Aurora Sinistra is the current Astronomy teacher.
[edit] History of Magic
The study of magical history. History of Magic is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.
The current History of Magic teacher, Cuthbert Binns, isn't very effective. He is the only ghost teacher, extremely set in his ways; some say he didn't even notice he was dead, he just got up one day in the staff room, leaving his body behind.
Binns spends his class droning on and on, and does not seem to mind (or notice) that the class is never paying any attention (with the exception of Hermione Granger who alone "seemed able to resist the soporific power of Binn's voice").
Although titled 'History of Magic', it actually appears to be a more general 'History of Wizards and the Magical World' (in which Goblin rebellions appear most memorable). Thus, it is reasonably similar to the study of History in the Muggle World, albeit with different subject matter.
[edit] Herbology
The study of magical plants (such as mandrakes or bubotubers), and how to take care of, utilise and/or combat them. Herbology is set in greenhouses on the grounds. First years only work in Greenhouse One, as the other greenhouses contain more dangerous plants. Classes start using Greenhouse Three in their second year. Herbology is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years. The subject is closely related to Potions, due to the nature of the plants, who seem to exist for the purpose of extracting useful ingredients.
Pomona Sprout is the current Herbology teacher.
Herbology is also the only subject in which Neville Longbottom excels.
[edit] Optional subjects
A student must select at least two optional subjects in their third year. These subjects may then be either continued or dropped at O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. level.
It can also be noted that none of the current incumbents of these positions occupy any other significant (i.e. pastoral) roles in the school.
[edit] Arithmancy
A branch of magic that's concerned with the magical properties of numbers. This class is not taken by Harry Potter, nor by Ron Weasley. It is however the favourite subject of Hermione Granger. Arithmancy is the use of names and numbers to tell about a person's character. Arithmancy is also known as Numerology. The only information given is that the subject is quite hard and therefore attractive to Hermione and running parallel to Divination lessons at Hogwarts. An optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.
Septima Vector is the current Arithmancy professor.
[edit] Ancient Runes
A mostly theoretical subject that studies the ancient runic scripts and languages of magic. It is studied by Hermione Granger.
We know thus far two words and their English translations that Hermione has learned in this class:
Hermione mixes these two words up on her Ancient Runes O.W.L. exam.
These are two Old Norse Runes, or Futhark, so it is likely they learned the rest.
Bathsheda Babbling, according to a note on J. K. Rowling's site, is the current Ancient Runes teacher.
[edit] Divination
Divination is the art of predicting the future. Various methods are involved, including crystal balls, palmistry, tea leaves, cartomancy (which encompasses the reading of playing cards and the Tarot) and the interpretation of dreams.
The supporters of the subject claim that it is a fairly inexact science that needs innate gifts more than bookish tendencies. Those opposed to the subject claim that the subject is irrelevant and fraudulent. Critics of the subject include Minerva McGonagall and Hermione Granger. At one point Albus Dumbledore even considered dropping Divination from the curriculum altogether. Its continuing extistence is largely because Dumbledore wishes to protect Professor Trelawney from supporters of Voldemort, as she is the source of a prophecy concerning the Dark Lord's defeat. An optional subject, Divination is taught from the third year to the seventh.
The current Divination teachers are Sybill Trelawney and Firenze. When Dolores Umbridge fired Trelawney [HP5], she was replaced with Firenze, a centaur. In the sixth book, Dumbledore allows both Firenze and Trelawney to work at Hogwarts, sharing classes, as Firenze was exiled by his fellow centaurs. The sharing of classes is an arrangement which Trelawney abhors, often motivating her to complain to Dumbledore and insist that he get rid of "the horse."
[edit] Care of Magical Creatures
Learning about and how to care of magical beasts. Classes are held outside the castle. An optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.
Between Harry's second and third years of school, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn, retires to enjoy some time with his remaining limbs. Since groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid has been cleared of opening the Chamber of Secrets in the previous school year, Dumbledore gives him the Care of Magical Creatures job. During Hagrid's two absences, one after Rita Skeeter revealed his giant heritage, the other when he was on a special mission, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank taught the class in his place. Hagrid is rather inexperienced, and his main problem is an inability to grasp the concept of a "terribly dangerous monster".
Class topics have included Hippogriffs, Nifflers, Flobberworms, Thestrals, Bowtruckles, salamanders, Unicorns, and Blast-Ended Skrewts.
Harry, Ron and Hermione drop this subject in their sixth year, for reasons unrelated to Hagrid's teaching methods; they never found the class very interesting and have little time for it with their extended N.E.W.T. schedules.
[edit] Muggle Studies
The study of Muggles, non-magical people, which involves writing essays such as "Why Muggles Need Electricity." Muggle Studies is considered a soft option, but Percy Weasley thinks it is important for a wizard to have an understanding of the non-magical community, especially if he works closely with them. Hermione Granger took it, though she already knew plenty about Muggles since her entire family is non-magical (she said she wanted to study Muggles from the wizards' point of view) but dropped it in her third year when she found her schedule too demanding. An optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh. It is often thought that Arthur Weasley took this class when he was at Hogwarts because of his later progression to a job at the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office and his own personal fascination with Muggles.
[edit] Occlumency
A branch of magic that concerns itself with closing one's mind against external penetration, with the intent of preventing others from reading one's thoughts or emotions. Severus Snape is a highly accomplished Occlumens. The opposite of Occlumency is Legilimency.
It should be noted that Occlumency is not typically offered to students. Harry Potter is taught Occlumency in special lessons by Snape on the request of Albus Dumbledore so that he can close his mind against Voldemort.
[edit] Flying
The use of enchanted broomsticks. Flying lessons are presumably only given to first year students. In fact, only one flying lesson is ever shown.
Madam Hooch is currently teaching flight classes. She also acts as referee for many of the Quidditch matches described in the books, although other staff occasionally take on this role instead, for instance Severus Snape, who refereed a Hufflepuff-Gryffindor match in Harry Potter's first year.
[edit] Apparation
This subject is optional and lessons cost 12 Galleons. Apparation is the art of magically disappearing from one place and reappearing in another. It requires a license and can only be done legally by people over 17 years of age. It is dangerous if done improperly: body parts can be left behind, an unfortunate side-effect known as "splinching." Ron Weasley failed his first Apparation test after leaving behind half an eyebrow. A more serious incident occurred previously when fellow student Susan Bones splinched during Apparation lessons, losing a leg, although this was quickly reattached by members of the Hogwarts staff.
Students at Hogwarts who are 17, or turn 17 during the school year, may take a twelve-week-long course starting shortly after the Christmas holidays. In Harry's sixth year, it is taught by Ministry-approved instructor Wilkie Twycross. While Ron failed his initial test for a very minor splinch, Hermione passed flawlessly. Harry, Draco Malfoy and Ernie Macmillan are some of the sixth-year students who had to wait longer to take their Apparation test because of their late birthdays; Ron intends to retake his test when Harry takes it. Harry, however, is very good at Apparation since he uses the skill in his sixth year, several weeks before he can legally take the test.
Receiving an Apparation license can somewhat be compared to receiving a driver's license in the Muggle world. Both are privileges reserved for those in their late teens, dangerous if done improperly or not paying attention, and considerable time savers for reaching a destination quickly (although Apparation is restricted in some areas and – normally – impossible in others such as Hogwarts).
