English Study Abroad: Rediscovering Harry Potter
Join us in Spring 2026 as we experience the atmosphere that inspired the world of Harry Potter!
We will study each of the seven books in the Harry Potter series, exploring the literary, intellectual, historical, geographical, and cultural influences of the work. Each weekly class meeting during the spring semester will feature student-led activities and discussions designed to evoke/promote/inspire a more substantive understanding of the series as a whole.
Alohamora Adventure!
ENGL 3104 will culminate in a ten-day study trip to London and Edinburgh, where we will explore the sources of influence in person. Students will have the opportunity to tour many of the picturesque settings that inspired the series as well as to see props from the films! Over the course of the semester, we will examine each of the Harry Potter titles through a specific critical lens, considering:
- classical archetypes
- issues of class, race, and gender
- the individual in society
- British detective fiction
- British tradition in children's fantasy
Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies
Here are just a few of the potential excursions we'll take on our study trip:
- King's Cross Station
- Leavesden Warner Bros. Studio
- The Ministry of Magic
- Edinburgh Castle
- The Scottish Highlands
- Hagrid's Hut
- A Performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Past Study Abroad Trips
In 2024, ten students and English instructors Tammy Jones, Cathy Dice, and Terry Ansbro traveled to London and Edinburgh for the Study Abroad course, Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies.
In 2018, fourteen students and English instructors Tammy Jones and Cathy Dice traveled to London and Edinburgh for the Study Abroad course, Rediscovering Harry Potter: Sources, Landscapes, and Legacies.
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Want to earn college credit while taking the trip of a lifetime? Visit the Study Abroad page to learn more.