ENL 121: Introduction to Literature 
(Dr. Vavra)
Pennsylvania College
of Technology
J. K. Rowling's
Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer's Stone

      Remember: For Major Paper 3 you will write about this novel. As you read, therefore, take (preferably written) notes on:

1.) things that people may find for or against having students read this novel in middle or high school.
2.) what attracts so many readers to these books?
3.) anything that might interest you as a topic for a paper.
You can write Major Paper # 3 as a direct response to one or more of these articles. (Remember, however, that you will need additional sources.) Indeed, any one of your reports (assigned or for bonus points) could be a draft of part of MP # 3.

An Explanation of the Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy

     If you name is in the right column for an assignment, you need to type (and then read in class) a report on that essay. In your report, include:

1. the author and title of the article,
2. the main point (thesis) of the article,
3. whether the article is specifically about The Sorcerer's Stone, about another book in the Potter series, or about most of the books in the series,
4. the philosopher whose ideas the author uses, and the main ideas of that philosopher,
5. how the author relates those ideas to Harry Potter and/or to the themes in this course,
6. additional comments that you have about the article, for example -- What ideas did you find interesting? Do you agree or disagree? Why? What ideas in the article might make good topics for a paper?
If you are not assigned for an article, you can hand in a shorter typed report for credit toward a course bonus point (up to one bonus point per article). In these shorter reports, make it clear which article that you are reporting on by including the writer's name. Then quote or paraphrase one or more of the ideas in the article and briefly explain why these points should be discussed in class. (In one sentence, quote or paraphrase the idea, and in a second sentence explain why it deserves discussion.) Points will be awarded by quarters (.1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1) depending on how well your report shows that you read and thought about the article.
 

Assignment One:  Read chapters 1 to 5 (pages 1 - 87).

    1. Bring a written question (with your name on it) for class discussion.
    2. Search JSTOR, ProQuest and other sources for articles for your major paper.
    3. Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
    "The Courageous Harry Potter," by Tom Morris (9-21) Section 8: Castaneda, Antonia
    Section 26:  Babbit, Jesse
    "Heaven, Hell, and Harry Potter," by Jerry L. Walls (63-76) Section 8: Aurand, Caleb
    Section 26: Signor, Angel
Assignment Two: Read chapters 6 to 9 (pages 88 - 162).
1. Bring a written question (with your name on it) for class discussion.
2. Search JSTOR, ProQuest and other sources for articles for your major paper.
3. Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
"Is Ambition a Virtue? Why Slytherin Belongs at Hogwarts," by Steven W. Patterson (121-131) Section 8: Brillhart, Brandi
Section 26: Jones, Matthew
"Finding Platform 9 3/4: The Idea of a Different Reality," by Gareth B. Matthews (175-185) Section 8: Howe, Alex
Section 26: Wertz, Kimberly
Assignment Three: Read chapters 10 to 13 (pages 163 - 227).
    1. Bring a written question (with your name on it) for class discussion.
    2. Search JSTOR, ProQuest and other sources for articles for your major paper.
    3. Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
    "Dursley Duplicity: The Morality and Psychology of Self-Deception," by Diana Mertz Hsieh (22-37) Section 8: Brish, Tyler
    Section 26: Siemianowski, Michael 
    "Magic, Science, and the Ethics of Technology," by Benjamin Lipscomb and W. Christopher Stewart (77-91) Section 8: Carter, Kenneth
    Section 26: Otto, Andrew
Assignment Four: Read chapters 14 to 17 (pages 228 - 309).
    1. Bring a written question (with your name on it) for class discussion.
    2. Search JSTOR, ProQuest and other sources for articles for your major paper.
    3. Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
    "A Skewed Reflection: The Nature of Evil," by David & Catherine Deavel (131-147) Section 8: Wilver, Angela
    Section 26: Yoas, Caryn
    "Space, Time, and Magic," by Michael Silberstein (186-199) Section 8: Judy, Ross
    Section 26: Wagner, Brandon
Assignment Five: Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
"Voldemort's Agents, Malfoy's Cronies, and Hagrid's Chums: Friendship in Harry Potter, by Harald Thorsrud (38-48) Section 8: Brink, Rachael
Lose, Lindsey
Section 26: Stamm, Tiffany
"The Mirror of Erised: Why We Should Heed Dumbledore's Warning," by Shawn E. Klein (92-104) Section 8: Balevicz, John
Hummel, Morgan
Section 26: Beckner, Shane
"Voldemort, Boethius, and the Destructive Effects of Evil," by Jennifer Hart Weed (148-157) Section 8: Clark, Amber
Crawford, Japheth
Section 26: Wright, Brittany
"Why Voldemort Won't Just Die Already: What Wizards Can Teach Us about Personal Identity," by Jason T. Eberl (200-212) Section 8: Matisz, Andrew
Steigerwalt, Amanda
Section 26: Mane, Michelle

Assignment Six: Assignments from Harry Potter and Philosophy
"Feminism and Equal Opportunity: Hermione and the Women of Hogwarts," by Mimi R. Gladstein (49-60) Section 8: Raup, Nevin
Section 26: Frank, Melissa 
"Kreacher's Lament: S. P. E. W. as a Parable on Discrimination, Indifference, and Social Justice," by Steven W. Patterson (105-118) Section 8: Miller, Madison
Section 26: Krizner, Ian
"Magic, Muggles, and Moral Imagination," by David Baggett (158-172) Section 8: Schlesinger, Erin
Section 26: 
"The Prophecy-Driven Life: Foreknowledge and Freedom at Hogwarts," by Gregory Bassham (213-226) Section 8: Shultz, Natalie
Section 26: