Spring Break
Harry Potter In College
Molly Griffin
Issue date: 8/26/05 Section: Scene
College is a time for growing up, transitioning into adulthood and looking toward the future. But there are a few vestiges from the past that most college students aren't quite willing to give up.
Most current college students began reading Harry Potter during junior high or high school and have continued not only to follow the series, but in some cases become more involved with the stories since entering Notre Dame.
While it is interesting that college students themselves are still reading the books, what is most surprising is how readily universities are embracing the books and incorporating them into courses. Colleges have begun to create not only literature courses based around Harry Potter, but have also started to spread out into other disciplines like science and philosophy. This has solidified the massive cultural impact that the series about a young wizard has had on world culture.
Considering the massive success of Harry Potter, it isn't entirely surprising that college students still enjoy it. Since the books are aimed at younger audiences, they can be a nice break from the heavy workload of most overburdened college students.
"I like the fantasy [elements] and the storylines," senior Mosey Nuccio said. "It's a nice break from the textual stuff I read at school."
The universal appeal of Harry Potter has less to do with magic and more to do with something more elemental in the books.
"I think that people read Harry Potter because it's a great story, not because they like reading books about casting spells and flying broomsticks," freshman Emerson Spartz, creator of the popular Harry Potter Web site MuggleNet.com, said. "It's the story, not the theme."
Most people, particularly young adults and college students, can identify with the experiences and changes with which Harry has to deal. The addition of witchcraft and wizardry might make it more interesting and exciting, but even non-magical people can identify with Harry's struggles.
Most current college students began reading Harry Potter during junior high or high school and have continued not only to follow the series, but in some cases become more involved with the stories since entering Notre Dame.
While it is interesting that college students themselves are still reading the books, what is most surprising is how readily universities are embracing the books and incorporating them into courses. Colleges have begun to create not only literature courses based around Harry Potter, but have also started to spread out into other disciplines like science and philosophy. This has solidified the massive cultural impact that the series about a young wizard has had on world culture.
Considering the massive success of Harry Potter, it isn't entirely surprising that college students still enjoy it. Since the books are aimed at younger audiences, they can be a nice break from the heavy workload of most overburdened college students.
"I like the fantasy [elements] and the storylines," senior Mosey Nuccio said. "It's a nice break from the textual stuff I read at school."
The universal appeal of Harry Potter has less to do with magic and more to do with something more elemental in the books.
"I think that people read Harry Potter because it's a great story, not because they like reading books about casting spells and flying broomsticks," freshman Emerson Spartz, creator of the popular Harry Potter Web site MuggleNet.com, said. "It's the story, not the theme."
Most people, particularly young adults and college students, can identify with the experiences and changes with which Harry has to deal. The addition of witchcraft and wizardry might make it more interesting and exciting, but even non-magical people can identify with Harry's struggles.