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seven.
Welcome back to Hogwarts. I hope your summer holidays were productive, perhaps even enjoyable.
For those first-years who are unaware, I am Professor Thraxios, and I will be teaching your History of Magic classes. Your older siblings may have told you about Professor Binns' classes, which were primarily lecture-based and focused on the memorization of dates. This is not the case for my classes. You are expected to be both literate and thoughtful, and ideally rather talkative. Short lectures will be given through use of a chalkboard, but class discussion will make up much of the class. Participation is expected; it is hoped that through the exchange of ideas, your understanding of how history affects the present is improved.
All students enrolled in my courses should have the first two chapters of their textbook read in preparation for the first class. Please also prepare six-inch essay responses to specific discussion questions for your year, listed below:
O.W.L. students are reminded that their History of Magic coursework will incorporate an international view of magical philosophy in addition to an examination of the historical record. During the first few weeks of class, beginning research into a culture's approach to magic usage is recommended. For those without a specific cultural interest, I recommend investigating the basics of Greek, Roman, Chinese, or Egyptian magical philosophy. Note that British approaches to magic are not an appropriate selection. We will be using the lessons we take from other magical philosophies to better understand the philosophy that drives your lessons here at Hogwarts.
N.E.W.T. students should already be aware that the bulk of their work this year will be in service of a short dissertation on a specific period in magical history or historical event. Please come to class with some ideas in mind. In the coming weeks, we will meet privately to decide upon your official topic and plan your research for the coming months.
As always, I look forward to seeing you in class, and I wish the Ravenclaw quidditch team luck in their first match of the year.
For those first-years who are unaware, I am Professor Thraxios, and I will be teaching your History of Magic classes. Your older siblings may have told you about Professor Binns' classes, which were primarily lecture-based and focused on the memorization of dates. This is not the case for my classes. You are expected to be both literate and thoughtful, and ideally rather talkative. Short lectures will be given through use of a chalkboard, but class discussion will make up much of the class. Participation is expected; it is hoped that through the exchange of ideas, your understanding of how history affects the present is improved.
All students enrolled in my courses should have the first two chapters of their textbook read in preparation for the first class. Please also prepare six-inch essay responses to specific discussion questions for your year, listed below:
First years: Describe one event in magical history that has previously interested you. For Muggle-born students, please select one of the events mentioned in the first two chapters of the textbook or an example from Muggle history that involves mention of magic. Please send me an owl if you have difficulty completing this assignment; I am always willing to assist Muggle-born students with the adjustment to wizarding history.
Second years: At the end of your first year, you were asked to visit or read about a specific location from the history we studied last year. Please report on what you learned about the location you chose.
Third years: History is as much a narrative as a collection of facts. Choose a controversial event in magical history and explain some of the opposing opinions about it.
Fourth years: The private sale of magical artifacts is an ongoing controversy among historians within the wizarding world. Write an opinion-based essay with supporting evidence.
Fifth years: Examine a short primary-source document relating to Muggle interaction, such as a diary entry, letter, short treatise, or bill of sale. (A list of appropriate choices and where they can be found was enclosed with your school book list.) Explain how Muggle-wizard relations of the time period affected the document.
Sixth years: Consider a recent event or issue within the wizarding world. Explain your chosen subject and provide an opinion regarding one or more aspects of it. Note that the Quidditch World Cup is not an acceptable subject.
Seventh years: Write a short explanation of the event or events you are interested in studying as part of your dissertation and their appeal for you.
O.W.L. students are reminded that their History of Magic coursework will incorporate an international view of magical philosophy in addition to an examination of the historical record. During the first few weeks of class, beginning research into a culture's approach to magic usage is recommended. For those without a specific cultural interest, I recommend investigating the basics of Greek, Roman, Chinese, or Egyptian magical philosophy. Note that British approaches to magic are not an appropriate selection. We will be using the lessons we take from other magical philosophies to better understand the philosophy that drives your lessons here at Hogwarts.
N.E.W.T. students should already be aware that the bulk of their work this year will be in service of a short dissertation on a specific period in magical history or historical event. Please come to class with some ideas in mind. In the coming weeks, we will meet privately to decide upon your official topic and plan your research for the coming months.
As always, I look forward to seeing you in class, and I wish the Ravenclaw quidditch team luck in their first match of the year.
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May I also ask your name?
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Oh... Rise. Rise Kujikawa.
... Can we use Japanese history, too? I'm... not from around here.
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It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kujikawa. Japanese history would be absolutely acceptable.
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[She assumes if he's someone from Paradisa, he doesn't remember. So she might as well treat all of this as normal... last thing she wants is to get in trouble while attending a magic school as a kid for a week. (Of course, attending school as a kid for a week period is a close second on that list...)]
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[No, really, like... overnight.]
But I think I'm doing okay! Professor Granger has been helping a lot...
[There's a slight hesitation on the name as she says it. Hermione had actually asked her not to call her Professor Granger, but Rise thought it would be best to stay in-character as the new student with other people. Whenever it felt necessary, that is.]
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[Yet again, the advantage of coming into this world change as a first-year student. Several of her professors still remember Paradisa, but even the ones that don't haven't been very harsh on her for not understanding things around here.]
I hope I can catch up on everything soon!
[Sure, she's not obligated to take these classes seriously, but she wants to at least put in the effort while she's here! Even if only because she doesn't want to disappoint certain friends...]
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I'm sure you'll be able to. If you need additional assistance with your History of Magic work, please stop by my office some afternoon.