Travelling Harry Potter Exhibit from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Education
Posted by: Rosi
January 09, 2010, 04:55 AM
A press release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham announces a travelling exhibit to "[show] how Rowling delved into the writings of real 15th and 16th century physicians, scholars and scientists to fashion the basis of magic in the seven Potter books." Supplemented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham's collection of "rare, historical medical texts" and presented by the National Library of Medicine, the exhibit, "Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine," will run from the 25th of January until 5th of March.
The exhibit explores Rowling's references to themes popular with Renaissance scholars as well as the author's nods to early scientists such as Paracelsus and Agrippa. Elizabeth Jane Furdell Ph.D., a professor of history at the University of North Florida, will deliver a presentation on "Magic Alchemy and Medicine in Harry Potter's World" on the 2nd of February at 4pm.
More information can be found here.
44 Comments
1249 Points
I love it when the world of Harry Potter is examined ina hard, academic fashion. (Really – I do!)
372 Points
um, amazing. why? because UAB is like 10 minutes from me. In fact, I spent half of my semester down at UAB. It should be noted that it’s not the University of Alabama, i.e. roll tide roll, we just won national championships, but University of Alabama AT Birmingham who put this out. two very different schools- their colors are green, and their mascot is a dragon. Just thought I’d point out the distinction. And it sounds like the exhibit will always be in Birmingham, and the lecturer is just from North Florida. I don’t think the lecture is actually in Florida, but still in Birmingham.
This is so awesome! Even if it had been at UA, I would’ve driven down to Tuscaloosa, but this is just around the corner! love it!
4565 Points
It is amazing how many people Harry Potter has touched. I have heard that there are several colleges that offer Harry Potter as an actual college class, using it to compare to religion and other writings.
222 Points
Oh my goodness! That is amazing! I wish it were in Ohio. :( Florida is so far away! That’s ok, though. :)
2525 Points
That place is amazing!!!
3134 Points
How cool – my sis lives in B’ham. WOOT!
31 Points
JKR is brilliant and her work studying Renaissance natural scientists is not unlike other amazing writers. Check out Mary W. Shelly’s Frankenstein.
4024 Points
Cool, sounds interesting!
3187 Points
that’s very cool. wish i lived in alabama so i could see for myself! i’ve actually noticed a lot of the consistencies in the HP books and historical texts in my classes this past semester!
2394 Points
As a Ravenclaw, I’m squeeing
180 Points
But why does nothing ever come to my state!?
4608 Points
A scientific approach to Harry Potter, very interesting. I’d love to see it!
2168 Points
very interesting indeed. id love 2 c it 2, but thats kinda unlikely. still, i probably read about enough books about that kinda stuff, that it wouldnt be anything new 2 me… ;p
I love it when the world of Harry Potter is examined ina hard, academic fashion. (Really – I do!)