week 6

I've handed in my outline for my paper and my presentation. I've also finished my paper. I'm currently working on the Power Point for my presentation and finding visual aid to accompany my research.

week 5

I've finally finished all of my research and have started (and almost completed) my outline.  I've sited most of my sources with the exception of quotes from the original books.  I'm still searching for some good ones to prove escapism, morals, and the parallelism between the our world and Harry's world.  The one part of my project that I'm completely bewildered with is my presentation.  I have absolutely no idea how to present my topic, give the class an activity and incorporate the movies too.  I NEED HELP!!!

Week 3

This week I continued reading my second book Harry, A History and finding articles related to the "boom" of this series. Many of the articles I am finding talk about "escapism". I definitely think that escapism is a big factor in the success of the Harry Potter series. Children, teens, and adults alike can all read the books and find themselves completely engulfed in a magical world. The world of Harry Potter is one of magic spells, potions, quidditch playing, and mystical creatures. Who wouldn't want to escape our boring, mundane, muggle world and explore a much more exciting and adventurous world of magic? From the first sentence of Sorcerer's Stone to the last word of the final installment, Rowling captivates her audience with everything they wish was real and leave them saddened when they close the book and realize that they're back where people actually have to stir their coffee and travel by car instead of Floo Powder or Apparation.

Week 2

This week I finished reading Muggles and Magic. From this book I took notes on some sections that contribute to what made the Harry Potter series a phenomenon. Censorship is one aspect that I think caused the series to take flight. The whole issue of witchcraft and the occult goes against the Bible and what pastors and priests teach. Nationwide, this book has been banned and in many cases burned by Christians who believe the book is pure evil. These people fail to realize that these books are a work of fiction and fantasy. Nowhere in the series does Rowling encourage paganism or want children to worship the Devil. Unfortunately, the books are taken too literally, with Christians arguing that the mere presence of a witch or warlock is a sign of evil and not the ingenious imaginative mind of a British author.

I believe that because the books were banned, people were automatically attracted to all the hype and controversy, I know I would. Who doesn't want to read a banned book, or at least wonder why it was banned in the first place? The censorship of the Harry Potter series is definitely one reason why the life of Harry is known worldwide.

This weekend I will start reading my 2nd book, Harry, A History, and continue searching for articles (all of which at this point have been on censorship one way or another) about how Harry Potter relates to children, teens, and adults.

Week 1

The two books that I'm using for my project are Muggles and Magic by George Beahm, and Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli.  This week I started reading my first book and set up a reading schedule, and looking online for any articles related to my topic.

Topic of my choice

For my final project I'm thinking of doing something with Harry Potter.  I've already read all 7 books in the series and watched all 5 movies.  One possible aspect of the series that I can do my project on is the cultural phenomenon that the series has had and still has on children, teens and even adults.  Some possible sources that I can use are the movies based on the books and analyze how they attract younger generations.  Another possible source that I already have is the book Muggles and Magic: An Unofficial Guide to J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Phenomenon.