Hogwarts Education Subjects

250px|thumb|Some of the subjects learned in Hogwarts; the bat represents Defence Against the Dark Arts, the wand represents Charms, the mortar and pestle represents Potions and the cat represents TransfigurationThere were a variety of subjects taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These included both the core curriculum and the electives, available from third year forward. In the fifth year, students took the Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) exams to determine whether or not they would reasonably be able to keep up with the much more advanced curriculum in the remaining two years. In seventh year, students would take the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T.), the results of which were what potential employers would look at when they were looking for a career after completing their education.Some classes, including the core classes, might be dropped in sixth year. Specialised classes such as Alchemy became available in sixth year provided there was sufficient demand.Even though students couldn't apply for Time-Turners to take more classes than were able to fit in the timetables, a student's head of house was able to suggest a Time-Turner to an individual on very rare occasions. All students did, however, have a choice to drop a course if they became a burden (aside from the essential classes).
==Overview==
All first-years at Hogwarts had to take seven core subjects: Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. Flying lessons (on broomsticks) were also compulsory. Flying was the only one of these that could be dropped upon entry into second year.At the end of their second year at Hogwarts, students were required to choose a minimum of two additional subjects from the following list: Care of Magical Creatures. Students couldn't elect to drop any of the core subjects at this time, but they could choose to drop an elective if it became a burden.During their fifth year, students had an appointment with their Head of House to discuss the career path they wanted to pursue. The professor would recommend the subjects they would need to take at the N.E.W.T. level required for their job of choice, taking into account their predicted O.W.L. grades based on their current performance. The teacher could recommend subjects based on the student's current grades if the student was unsure of what job they would like. These students made provisional choices for N.E.W.T.s at this time and their choices were confirmed or rejected depending on their achieved O.W.L grades or the demand.During sixth year, students advanced to N.E.W.T.-level classes, however they were only allowed to take classes whose O.W.L. exams they scored high enough on. The professor would decide the O.W.L. grade needed to take their class at the N.E.W.T.-level. Course work during this year was much more advanced than it had been previously. The majority of students' time was spent studying and trying to cope with the vast amounts of homework they were being given. Students in the sixth year could also elect to take part in Apparition lessons for a fee of twelve Galleons.The seventh year was the final year of magical education. At the end of the year, students took the exam for their N.E.W.T. subjects that had been chosen in sixth year and carried through to the seventh.Very specialised subjects such as Alchemy were offered in the final two years, but would only be provided if there was sufficient demand. It is unknown whether the student would need any grades from another subject to take the subjects, or whether it was open to anyone to try. There may have been a N.E.W.T. exam for these subjects too.Certain subjects could be abolished for certain reasons. Albus Dumbledore was originally planning to scrap Divination altogether due to its inaccuracy to most, but he kept the subject as a pretence to protect Sybill Trelawney from the Death Eaters. During the conquered Ministry's regime, Defence Against the Dark Arts was cancelled and replaced with outright Dark Arts, conforming with Lord Voldemort's reign. Upon the defeat of Voldemort, the Dark Arts class was abolished and the regular Defence class was restored.
==Core classes==
===Charms===
Charms comprised very wide range of different spells concerned with giving a target (be it an object or an individual) new and unexpected properties and/or making the target perform certain actions, among other possible effects. Charms could be some of the most powerful and game-changing spells in existence. Successfully casting a charm required concentration, precise wand movements, and proper pronunciation of the spells incantation. Charms classes were described as notoriously noisy and chaotic, as the lessons were largely practical. Charms was considered a "soft option" by some when picking N.E.W.T.-level classes.Charms classes took place in Classroom 2E along the Charms corridor on the third floor, near the Third-floor corridor. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Filius Flitwick (1970s-?)
===Defence Against the Dark Arts===
Defence Against the Dark Arts, commonly shortened to D.A.D.A., was the class that taught students how to protect themselves against the Dark Arts, and how to handle dark creatures.This subject required students to participate in practical lessons in order to truly learn the subject; if taught only theory based lessons out of books, then it would only hinder them.The subject had an extraordinarily high turnover of staff members — throughout Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts, no Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher remained at Hogwarts for more than one school year. Dumbledore suggested that Voldemort jinxed the position because his application for it was rejected. After the end of the Second Wizarding War, the jinx on the position was lifted with Voldemort's death.Defence Against the Dark Arts classes took place in Classroom 3C on the third-floor. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Albus Dumbledore (at least 1910s–1927)
*Quirinus Quirrell (1991–1992)
*Gilderoy Lockhart (1992–1993)
*Severus Snape (1996–1997)After he graduated, Harry Potter would occasionally come to the class to give lectures on the subject.Finished ‘Potter’? Rowling tells what happens next at Today (26 Jul 2007)
===Herbology===
Herbology was the study of magical plants and fungi. Students learned how to properly care for and utilise different plants, as well as about their magical properties and what they were used for. The further a student progressed through their education, the more difficult and dangerous the plants became. Students were also taught a few spells that were helpful for gardening, such as the Herbivicus Charm.Herbology classes took place in various greenhouses located behind the castle. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Pomona Sprout (pre. 1984-?)
*Neville Longbottom (pre 2017-?)
===Potions===
Potions was the exact art and subtle science of creating various liquid mixtures with different magical effects, many of which could not be achieved through spells. It required adding the correct ingredients into the cauldron and stirring the brew in the correct way, both of which had to be done at the right times and at the right temperatures. Students also studied the different ingredients used in potion making and their properties. Potions was considered a difficult class to achieve an O.W.L. in, as only twelve students from Harry Potter's year managed it. The O.W.L written exam was described as "difficult".
Potions classes took place in Hogwarts Dungeons. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Severus Snape (1981-1996)
===Transfiguration===
Transfiguration was a very difficult theory-based subject that practiced the art of changing the form or appearance of an object, as well as changing it back. It was also possible to change inanimate objects into living creatures and vice versa, as was changing a living creature into another species. Conjuring things out of thin air, making things vanish into thin air, and making things switch places were also elements of transfiguration. Human Transfiguration was considered the most difficult branch of this subject. Transfiguration has been described as "some of the most dangerous magic you will be taught at Hogwarts".Transfiguration classes took place in Classroom 1B on the ground-floor, around the Middle Courtyard. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Albus Dumbledore (?-1956)
*Minerva McGonagall (?-1998)
==Electives==
====Care of Magical Creatures====
Care of Magical Creatures, also known as Creature Care, and formerly called Beasts class, was a class which instructed students about the proper identification, feeding, grooming, riding, breeding, and treatment of various magical beasts.Care of Magical Creatures classes took place outside the castle. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Rubeus Hagrid (1993–?)
====Divination====
Divination was the art of predicting the future. Various methods were taught.Divination was different from other magical subjects; it required the practitioner to possess a natural aptitude. One could not simply study hard and expect to get better at it, if a witch or wizard lacked any aptitude for divination, then they were doomed to fail no matter how hard they worked.Divination classes took place in a classroom accessible through a circular trapdoor in the North Tower. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Firenze (1995-?)
====Muggle Studies ====
Muggle Studies was considered by some to be a soft option, but others, such as Percy Weasley, thought it was important for magical people to have an understanding of the non-magical community.In the 1997–1998 school year, when Voldemort and his Death Eaters took control of the British Ministry of Magic, Muggle Studies was made into a mandatory core class and the curriculum was changed to described Muggles and Muggle-borns as subhuman and worthy of persecution. After Voldemort's final defeat, Muggle Studies returned to its previous arrangement.Muggle Studies classes took place in a classroom on the first-floor, accessed through a showroom displaying various Muggle artefacts. Professors known to have taught this subject include:
*Quirinus Quirrell (?–1990)
===Flying===
Flying, also known as Broom Flight Class, was the class that taught students how to fly using magic flying broomsticks. Students learned both how to handle a broom and progressively work on various techniques and manoeuvres performed while in flight, as well as receiving proper instructions on the subject of proper broom care and maintenance. This subject was the only one that required physicality.Flying class was only mandatory to Hogwarts first years and optional for second years and above. Students who continued to take this class usually either had an interest in joining their House Quidditch teams or they just really enjoyed flying and may have chosen to continue with the subject to improve their skills.
*Rolanda Hooch (at least 1990s)
==Extra-curricular subjects==
===Magical Theory===
A subject taught to at least first years. It was taught in Class 67 on the fourth floor of Hogwarts Castle. It was taught by Eleazar Fig in the late 19th century. It presumably covered magic from a purely theoretical view, and Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling might be a required textbook.
===Xylomancy===
Xylomancy was a class in which students learned about the 'often overlooked' way of divination which had something to do with twigs.
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==Notes and references==
Category:Hogwarts Educational Subjects