Accio Syllabus! DePaul Introduces Harry Potter Study Abroad Program

By Meha Ahmad
The three stars of the “Harry Potter” films from left, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson place their hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Monday, July 9, 2007.
The three stars of the "Harry Potter" films from left, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson place their hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Monday, July 9, 2007. AP Photo/Nick Ut
The three stars of the “Harry Potter” films from left, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson place their hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Monday, July 9, 2007.
The three stars of the "Harry Potter" films from left, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson place their hands and feet in cement in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Monday, July 9, 2007. AP Photo/Nick Ut

Accio Syllabus! DePaul Introduces Harry Potter Study Abroad Program

By Meha Ahmad
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Forget Shakespeare — why not study the literary genius of a one Joanne Kathleen Rowling instead, go on a book worm’s dream pilgrimage to Platform 9 and 3 quarters, and get college credit for it at the same time?

DePaul University’s English Department announced a new program for that will have at least one pop culture fandom signing up faster than you can say “butterbeer”: a Harry Potter study abroad program set for the spring, where students will not only study the series and its cultural significance, but also spend two weeks in the U.K. on a fandom pilgrimage.

Morning Shift talks to the professors (and Potterheads) behind the program, Paul Booth and Rebecca Johns-Trissler, about the curriculum and what prospective students can expect as they climb aboard the Hogwarts Express.