The Harry Potter Phenomenon: Forming friendships, teaching lessons, not just to kids

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone isn’t just a phenomenally successful book and a highly-anticipated movie. It’s a tool for learning for both young and old alike. A class of age-50-and-over adults at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Athenaeum explored the realm of magic and mystery within the novel, and had a better time than even they expected.

"I thought we’d just be discussing the book and having a good time," says Jeanne Sandholzer, one of the course leaders. Instead, they found themselves exploring the mythology, philosophy, and psychology of The Sorcerer’s Stone. In discussing the history of magic, in researching alchemy, and in sharing in the delights of treats right out of Diagon Alley, the group also explored the boundaries of friendships, and the meaning of working together.

Harry Potter holds a lesson for everyone, says Sandholzer. And the lessons—of friendship, of depending on one another, and of learning skills magical and mundane—apply to everyone, no matter their age. "The book has a lot of moral lessons in it, there’s a lot to learn," she says. "There’s no way Harry could have gotten to the end of his adventure without the help of each of his friends."

The class was offered as one of the Athenaeum’s 38 fall courses. Understanding Harry Potter II—The Chamber of Secrets, discussing the second book in J.K. Rowling’s series, will be offered in the Athenaeum’s winter selection of courses. The Athenaeum is an innovative, continued-learning cooperative for adults 50 and above that is run by its own members.

The Athenaeum, a non-profit organization sponsored by RIT, conducts educational enrichment programs dedicated to adults over 50. Founded in 1987, its goal is to provide seniors with intellectual pursuits, maintaining active minds through the continued exploration of the world around them. In addition to educational courses covering a wide variety of topics, led by the members themselves, the Athenaeum also offers opportunities for making and expanding friendships through social activities, travel tours, and volunteer and committee work.