The Sociology of Harry Potter is organized into six sections modeled on an Introduction to Sociology textbook: Introduction, Society, Institutions, Groups and Identity, Stratification, and Conclusion. The first section consists of two introductory chapters. Chapter one introduces the book and describes the benefits of viewing the wizarding world, and our own real world, from a sociological perspective. The second chapter, entitled “Sociology of Harry Potter 101,” is an introduction to the main themes and concepts of the discipline using material from the series as examples. The second section of the book consists of five chapters: two chapters addressing Wizard culture and social networks, one chapter on deviance, one chapter examining the social uses of space, and one chapter discussing the social construction of technology.
The third section of the book contains five chapters discussing social institutions: two chapters on magical education and a chapter each examining economy, families, and health care. The fourth section of the book contains five chapters regarding groups and identity. There is one theory chapter, two chapters addressing groups and boundaries, and two chapters on collective identity. Stratification is addressed in the fifth section, with one chapter each addressing gender, race, class, and sexuality. The final section of the book consists of three chapters that extend the analysis from within the world of Harry Potter to that world’s relationship with our virtual, Eastern, and Western world.
The Sociology of Harry Potter is unique in that unlike other disciplinary analyses of the series (i.e., Philosophy and Psychology) it is not simply about the series but also expressly uses the series to facilitate readers’ introduction to and understanding of the discipline of sociology and development of a sociological approach to viewing social reality. It is a case of high quality academic scholarship that is written in a form and on a topic that is accessible to non-academicians. As such, it is intended to appeal to Harry Potter fans and the reading public in general, though it would be respected as quality work in academic circles. Moreover, given that Harry Potter is a worldwide phenomenon (the novels have been translated into 67 languages) and the contributors of The Sociology of Harry Potter represent eight countries on three continents , the book is guaranteed to have international appeal.
The third section of the book contains five chapters discussing social institutions: two chapters on magical education and a chapter each examining economy, families, and health care. The fourth section of the book contains five chapters regarding groups and identity. There is one theory chapter, two chapters addressing groups and boundaries, and two chapters on collective identity. Stratification is addressed in the fifth section, with one chapter each addressing gender, race, class, and sexuality. The final section of the book consists of three chapters that extend the analysis from within the world of Harry Potter to that world’s relationship with our virtual, Eastern, and Western world.
The Sociology of Harry Potter is unique in that unlike other disciplinary analyses of the series (i.e., Philosophy and Psychology) it is not simply about the series but also expressly uses the series to facilitate readers’ introduction to and understanding of the discipline of sociology and development of a sociological approach to viewing social reality. It is a case of high quality academic scholarship that is written in a form and on a topic that is accessible to non-academicians. As such, it is intended to appeal to Harry Potter fans and the reading public in general, though it would be respected as quality work in academic circles. Moreover, given that Harry Potter is a worldwide phenomenon (the novels have been translated into 67 languages) and the contributors of The Sociology of Harry Potter represent eight countries on three continents , the book is guaranteed to have international appeal.
The Sociology
of Harry Potter
22 Enchanting Essays
of Harry Potter
22 Enchanting Essays
Jenifer Patrice Sims
Release date: April 2012
