SW 607 - The Spell Craft of Social Work: Harry Potter and Social Justice

As a helping profession, social work emphasizes the importance of social justice.  The Harry Potter series, written by J. K. Rowling, describes a magical world of witches and wizards.  This course will address how the account of Harry Potter contributes to the understanding and “spell craft” of social work practice, with a particular emphasis on social justice.  This literary medium provides a wide variety of diverse themes, complex characters, cultural scripts, and magical environments wherein students can analyze three critical social work themes: 1) the intersectionality of cultural identities; 2) systems of power and privilege; and 3) the change agent.  Such themes will include such issues as identity, development, trauma, family systems, oppression, power structures, in-groups/out-groups, and diversity.  For instance, how does life at Hogwarts illuminate the intersectionality of diverse identities in light of our pluralistic society?  What does Hermione’s concern about house elves and their indentured servitude tell us about human trafficking, slavery, and freedom?  How does Draco Malfoy’s exploration of his Pure Blood privilege and prejudice reflect white guilt and racism?  How does the Ministry of Magic’s governance of its citizens and their ethical use of power inform ethical social work practice with the disenfranchised?  And finally, what role does Harry Potter play as change agent?  Students enrolled in this course will be expected to have read the seven-book Harry Potter series.
Requisite(s): Students enrolled in this course will be expected to have read the seven-book Harry Potter series.